What should I know about the Air Force's BMT at lackland and SERE at Fairchild?

Answer 1

Your recruiter will cover BMT in detail while you are in the Delayed Enlistment Program. During DEP call every month, a portion of BMT is covered so you will get a ton of information of what to expect and tips on good ideas on how to make it easier on you. If your recuiter is doing his/her job then you will be well prepared before you leave. You will have an in depth briefing on BMT at your 45 day, 30 day and 15 day marks. This is where items like what to bring, direct deposit for pay and all the details on what to expect are supposed to be covered. Here's a good couple sites to get you the core information while in the DEP:

http://www.usafdep.com/aboutBMT.php
http://www.airforce.com/training/enlisted/index.php

As far as basic goes, the core things are this:

1. Know your reporting statement, "Sir trainee XXXXX reports as ordered." After Warrior Week you will earn the title of Airmen and your reporting statement will change to "Sir, AIRMEN XXXXX reports as ordered" The reporting statement must be drilled into your brain so well that it will be a reflex to come out of your mouth before you speak to any instructor at basic training. (After you get into the "real" Air Force, that silly line becomes a joke about good times in basic when you forgot to say it and what happened to you)

2. FIND SHOWER SHOES. The first night there you will take a shower but not had a chance to hit the mini base exchange for supplies yet. You will be showering with people from all over the US and from all walks of life. Protect your feet that first night!!

3. When performing Dorm Guard duty...MEMORIZE the script and DON'T let anyone through that door who isn't on the access list next to it. Pay attention...the instructors like to pull their names off the list on purpose to see if you will just let them in on personal recognition.

4. DO volunteer for hall detail, bed alignment, dorm guard monitor, academic monitor. DON'T volunteer for Dorm Chief, Element Leader, Latrine Queen, House Mouse, Chow Runner...those jobs suck. Keep your mouth shut unless you hear an opening for the good details.

5. Try to work KP duty. It is fun and you get to eat a ton of goodies when everyone leaves the chow hall that day. (it was the only time I had a chance to get a treat like cake)

6. The name of the game in basic is blending in. Do not call attention to yourself at all. Do what you need to pass, help your fellow trainees keep their stuff straight so they don't get eveyone else in trouble.

7. Life will absoloutley suck the first couple weeks but the program is desinged to get better after you make it to Warrior Week. Then you feel like a "senior" and you get to make fun of all the baby flights and noobs. Don't be a baby and quit because you couldn't handle a few guys yelling at you for a couple days.

8. The physical standards aren't that demanding compared to the rest of the branches but, for God's sake, get into some sort of work out plan before you get there. It just makes life easier while in basic if you can handle the running and PRT training without being the one singled out because you ran out of steam or you are lagging behind.

9. You will meet retards in your basic flight that will get into trouble...stay away from them and don't let them drag you with them. Remember, all walks of life are there and basic is the first place where we start filtering out the good from the bad.

10. It's going to be fun...trust me, it really will. Everyone has a good time swapping stories about basic. It's part of the comradere of being in the service.

SERE training information can be found here:

http://www.gosere.com/fast.html

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforceenlistedjobs/a/afjob1t0x1.htm

I have two buddies that are SERE and they LOVE it. I think they are kinda nuts but they like the outdoors and their job is pretty cool.

Answer 2

If they don't know who you are by the time you are finished you did good. Not to good..not to bad.
Do what they tell you to do.
Always have a DD-214 in your pocket.
Sir and Ma'am for everything and omg try to stay away from that snake pit..but if you do try not to disgrace yourself by wetting yourself, puking, or crying. For heavens sake DON"T CRY...they really get off on that.
When they come around and demand entry into your dorm, MAKE SURE you follow that procedure. If you don't they will eat you alive. Of course, this is normal in ALL Basic Training. Not just Lackland. :) I had a great time.

Answer 3

If you memorize this sentence:

SIR, AIRMAN (your last name) reports as ordered

say that to yourself 100 times a day so that you say it without thinking about it and your life will be tons easier.

You have to say it before addressing anyone at lackland. and if you DONT say it they jump all over ya, so just memorize this line, and get yourself in decent physical shape and its just a bit tedious, but not hard.

Answer 4

It's the best thing you'll ever do for yourself! Good luck and Congratulations!