New 37th TRG commander enthused about mission Published Oct. 12, 2012 By Mike Joseph 10/12/2012 -- JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Descriptive adjectives hardly scratch the surface when it comes to the new 37th Training Group commander's enthusiasm for the job, but, the smile on Col. Jeanne Hardrath's face and the excitement in her voice say it all. "This is an amazing job," said Hardrath, who took command of the technical training group in early August. "I knew coming in I had really hit the jackpot. To lead the 37th TRG, with its extraordinary reputation, is a phenomenal opportunity. "And then throw in the fact I get to bring my family to San Antonio," she said. "They love it here. It's been exciting since we arrived. "It's been five years since I've been assigned to an actual Air Force base," she said. "Coming back to a base where I can work with my fellow Airmen was an exciting prospect for me." Her last three assignments included an assignment as chief of the Integrated Life Cycle Management Functional Policy Branch at the Air Staff; as an Air Force fellow with the RAND Corp., Santa Monica, Calif., a non-profit institution that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis; and as the director of Clothing and Textiles for Defense Logistics Agency - Troop Support in Philadelphia. Being assigned to Lackland is like a coming home of sorts for Hardrath. She began her Air Force career 27 years ago as an enlisted Airman going through basic military training. Hardrath then spent four years in the Utah Air National Guard while earning a bachelor's degree at the University of Utah, she joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps and was commissioned in 1991. Her prior enlisted service has been beneficial in her career as a logistics readiness officer, she said. "Long before I ever hit ROTC, I already had a massive amount of respect for the experience and skills of the senior NCOs," Hardrath said. "I'm a product of some very great mentoring at all levels. Our senior NCOs play a key role in helping commanders turn young officers into leaders." One of the group's challenges, Hardrath said, is to work effectively within a constrained fiscal environment while continuing to produce quality Airmen. She said streamlining processes and creating efficiencies produce cost savings, both effective tools to deal with budget cuts and manpower shortages. Those savings come from "great ideas by smart folks," Hardrath said. "Our instructors, military training leaders, officers and squadron commanders are listening to the troops under them. If they feel like their voice is being heard, it encourages more and better ideas. I've already seen how our strong squadron commanders working with their leadership teams are not only making great things happen on a daily basis, but they are implementing long-term positive changes to mitigate the resource constraints on our mission." Hardrath said, up to now, being a squadron commander was the pinnacle of her career. However, she believes this assignment will easily become one of her best. "The wing (37th Training Wing) has a phenomenal mission, and we have the right team in place to secure the future capabilities of our Air Force," she said. "It's only been a short time, but even with the long hours and a couple of interesting challenges, I still can't wipe the smile off my face."