3704 BMTS

• 3704th Basic Military Training Squadron (BMTS) was one of the training units at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, which is known as the "Gateway to the Air Force." • Activation: The 3704 BMTS was activated in the 1950s as part of the Air Force's efforts to standardize and centralize basic training for new recruits. • Role in Vietnam Era: During the Vietnam War, 3704 BMTS trained thousands of Airmen, many of whom went on to serve in Southeast Asia. • Squadron Mascot: Like many BMTS units, 3704th had its own mascot and guidon, which served as a rallying point and symbol of squadron pride. • Squadron Dormitories: Trainees in 3704 BMTS were housed in "Disneyland" style dormitories, a distinctive architectural feature at Lackland in the 1960s and 1970s. • Women's Training: In the late 1970s, the 3704th and other squadrons began to see an increasing number of female Airmen as the Air Force integrated basic training. • Heritage Flights: Former trainees of 3704 BMTS have participated in heritage flights and reunions, keeping the squadron's legacy alive long after its inactivation. • Squadron Motto: Each BMTS had its own unofficial mottos and chants, fostering camaraderie and competitive spirit during drill competitions and graduation ceremonies. • Inactivation: The squadron was eventually inactivated as the Air Force restructured basic training units, with its lineage absorbed into new training groups in the 1990s. • Alumni Legacy: Many 3704 BMTS alumni have gone on to distinguished careers, including senior enlisted leaders, officers, and even notable figures in civilian life, all remembering their start at Lackland.