Careers Career Paths Air Force Basic Training Chain of Command Learn the list from the president on down Print Stocktrek Images/Getty Images Career Paths US Military Careers Technology Careers Sports Careers Sales Project Management Professional Writer Music Careers Media Legal Careers Government Careers Finance Careers Fiction Writing Careers Entertainment Careers Criminology Careers Book Publishing Aviation Animal Careers Advertising Learn More By Rod Powers Rod Powers Air Force NCO Academy Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 06/03/19 All new airmen must memorize the Air Force Chain of Command during basic training. Luckily, you can familiarize yourself with it while still at home in civilian life, leaving one less thing to induce anxiety during the purposefully stressful time of basic training boot camp. The occupants of positions do change, so consider memorizing only names at the top of the list. You won't meet some of the people you'll need to know until boot camp is already underway. Air Force Basic Training Chain of Command You are required to memorize this information at basic training. The President of the United StatesSecretary of DefenseSecretary of the Air ForceChief of Staff of the Air ForceChief Master Sergeant of the Air ForceCommander, Air Education & Training CommandCommander, 2nd Air ForceCommander, 37th Training Wing (TRW)Vice Commander, 37th Training Wing (TRW)Command Chief Master Sergeant, 37th Training Wing (TRW)Commander, 737th Training Wing (TRW)Deputy Commander, 737th Training Wing (TRW)Superintendent, 737th Training Wing (TRW)Squadron CommanderOperations OfficerTraining SuperintendentFirst SergeantSection SupervisorInstructor TeamDorm Chief Current Air Force Chain of Command The President of the United States at the top of the chain is the easiest one to remember. Other offices tie directly into changes at that level. It may be more difficult to find the current occupants of these positions because online sources can become outdated quickly. Practice and memorize the chain positions so you know the sequence by heart, which will make it easier to switch out names. The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. Those positions are likely to change when there is a change in the presidency. The Air Force has a page of its current Air Force Senior Leaders online. You can use it to find the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, and Commander of the Air Education and Training Command. These names are probably as deep as you need to go in memorizing the chain of command before you arrive at basic training. The rest of the list is subject to change more frequently. Other Air Force Command Leadership The next set of leaders from the Commander of the 2nd Air Force to the Command Chief Master Sergeant, 37th Training Wing can be best found with a web search for each position. This may come up with outdated information or no information. The occupants of these positions will only be known to you when you arrive at basic training, and they depend on what squadron you are in: The Deputy Commander, 737th Training Wing (TRW), Superintendent, 737th Training Wing (TRW), Squadron Commander, Operations Officer, Training Superintendent, First Sergeant, Section Supervisor, Instructor Team, and Dorm Chief.