Air Force training met Navy training when commanders from the Air Force’s Randolph Air Force Base in Texas and Keesler Air Force Base in Missisippi visited Recruit Training Command (RTC), Sept. 25.
    For a number of years, the military services have looked at ways to better operate jointly and continue today to look at the best practices of working together — that includes boot camp and accessions training.
    Gen. Edward A. Rice, Jr., Commander, Air Education and Training Command, was part of the visiting group of Air Force training commanders that spent two days learning and exchanging ideas with Navy training leadership and observing ongoing training at the Recruit Division Commander (RDC) “C” School aboard RTC.
    “RTC, clearly from the leadership down to the RDCs that I had contact with, even to the recruits that I saw, is a very professional operation,” Rice said. “I expected that, but as with most things when you have a chance to put eyes on and talk to people, it makes a more powerful impact on you.”
    Rice is responsible for the recruiting, training and education of all Air Force personnel. His command includes the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. AETC trains more than 340,000 students per year and consists of 12 bases, more than 70,600 active-duty, reserve, guard, civilians and contractors, and 1,380 trainer, fighter and mobility aircraft.
    During his visit, Rice, along with several other Air Force training personnel, including Maj. Gen. Leonard A. Patrick, Commander, Second Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., toured several facilities on RTC. They were also able to meet directly with ships’ officers, leading chief petty officers (LCPOs) and RDCs, engaging in conversation on some of the universals of basic training.