So I talked with a recruiter, and will more than likely join. What should I look forward to during basic training? My husband, a Marine, says it will be a cake walk (easy for him to say). How bad is it?
2007-03-14 09:15:37 · 9 answers · asked by ? 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
BMT has changed a lot. People think that the Air Force is still a cake walk. But it has changed a lot.
When you first get there you will have to wait to get your paperwork or whatever those people behind the desk were doing. Then you will go into a room and given a boxed meal and they will tell you to enjoy it because it's the last meal you will it. Then you will go out with a bunch of people (they will be in your flight). Then a T.I. will come up with a bus and pick you up and take you to your dorm. Good luck from there, the first night is hell.
First week: The first week is just all the paperwork, shots, getting BDU's, etc. They will teach you how they want you to make up your bed. How they want everything cleaned. How your clothes need to be folded and placed in your locker and drawer.
Second and Third Week: You will just be doing the same thing. Getting up, go to chow, go to a class that teaches you something that you will need to know in the military, go to chow, go to class, PT, chow, do your clothes, etc. You will learn to march also and start practicing for your graduation day parade. Depends on what time of year you go depends on when you do PT. I went from 15 Nov-2 Jan in 2005 so we did PT in the afternoon. But I heard if you are there for the summer you do it first thing. Also in third week you will have a red line inspection of your locker and clothes drawer (I believe that's what it's called).
Fourth Week: This is hell week. This week is all of your PT tests, your two Airmen's test, and that's when the T.I.'s will inspect your lockers but worse than what they did before.
Fifth Week: This is Warrior week. I'm pretty sure you've heard about this from your recruiter and everyone else. So I'll leave it at that.
Sixth Week: That's graduation week. You wear blue's and practice for graduation day, get your Airman's coin.
If you piss the T.I. off or fail one of your Airmen's test twice or PT test twice you will be recycled. I recommend not taking any dollar bills. You will have to write down every serial number on your bills down on a piece of paper and keep track of it everytime you spend them. They will want it updated everyday. I advise taking about 3-4 rolls of quarters. I did and trust me everyone in my flight was pissed because they didn't bring any. Your recruiter will give you a list of stuff to bring, it doesn't matter you will have to go to the BX right away and buy it again. Don't volunteer for anything. My T.I. couldn't put my face with my name until week 5. Learn your reporting statement!!! If not you will be on your face doing push-ups and flutter kicks and diamond push-ups a lot. If you have any more questions, just e-mail me. I will be glad to answer them for you.
2007-03-14 09:57:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
being an ex-army guy, air force had a reputation for being an easy branch. over the past few years, ive read that the navy and air force upped the ante a bit as far as rigors of training goes equivelent to the army (while marines are still the tuffest and longest for all basic training branches). there was a running job going on where while soldiers were doing PT and running up hills during AIT, airmen were playing ultimate frisbee.
anyways, just be in shape when u get there (push-ups, sit-ups, running) and be prepared to deal with people from all walks of life.
unless ur extremely overweight and mentally weak, it should be a piece of cake.
2007-03-14 17:01:19 · answer #2 · answered by carlos l 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought it would be much worse than it was. I went through in '98 so some things have changed (as far as what they train you on and such).
You will be doing lots of PT. They recommend starting to exercise on your own before you leave, but I didn't and was fine. When I first got there, I ran my preliminary test (2 miles) in 23 something minutes, which is awful. Nothing happened, I didn't get in trouble or anything. When we did our final PT eval at the end of Basic, I ran it in 16 or something like that. So THEY will get you in shape don't worry. If you want to begin training beforehand, of course, it will help you.
You will be marching (don't worry, girls are naturally better at it because we have rhythm so you should be fine), firing weapons (they will teach you everything you need to know, but don't be afraid to ask if you don't understand. The TIs can be intimidating, but they are there to help you), crawling around in the dirt (I looked like I belonged in a battered women's clinic after that-- had bruises all over!) and doing all sorts of fun war stuff.
The biggest thing is, is that it's all a head game. The TIs (Training Instructors) are there to teach you and to try and break you. They need to weed out those that aren't going to cut it in the military. So they will tell you you're worthless and that you can't make it. Just ignore it, don't take what they say personally. What made it easier for me was I made close friends with another girl and we would just work at encouraging each other, basically reassuring the other that what the TI was saying wasn't true. :)
Everything that you do in BMT will seem like it sucks while you're doing it, but once it's all over you will look back and say "oh that part was kind of fun" and laugh about silly things that happened. You will also develop some of the closest bonds you've ever had with people! One of the fantastic things about the military is the people... You should have no problems. If you have any specific questions, let me know.
EDIT: I saw the comment about nail polish and it reminded me... don't bother taking anything fun with you haha. They will go through your stuff and take out whatever they think you don't need... we weren't allowed to have any electronics, phones, makeup, etc. They lock all that up, along with your civilian clothes, so you can't get to it. You can of course, have writing material, I think I was able to have some pictures out, my diary, stuff like that.
2007-03-14 16:30:40 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just run and stay fit. You can look online and get the physical requirements. How is that going to work with your husband being a Marine and you in the Air Force? You will rarely ever be stationed together.
2007-03-14 16:22:36 · answer #4 · answered by EllD75 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its not as easy as it used to be, the AF is constantly changing and is becoming more combatant, so that means so is BMT. It will stress you out mentally but. all you really can do is prepare physically. run intervals at least 5 times a week, do lots of pushups and situps...flutter kicks especially... T.Is love to make you do flutter kicks. you have to do all different kinds of pushups too so make sure youre doing all of them.Also a huge problem with Airmen failing their PT tests is the size of their wastes. you get points deducted if your waste is too big And if you havent taken your ASVAB yet take the practice test with the recruiter and go check out a book at the library to help you study...i doubt youll need to tho. its not hard. but good luck to you and thanks for wanting to join the greatest Air Force!!
2007-03-15 06:14:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL....just make sure your weight is in good order, keep your hair up, and show up. They will take it from there. Compared to the marines it is a cake walk. Oh and have really good running shoes.
2007-03-14 16:19:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Discipline!
2007-03-14 16:24:25 · answer #7 · answered by Mighty C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's trying to help, have him get on your back and run to the mall 14 times. Now you are ready.
2007-03-14 16:20:10 · answer #8 · answered by dtwladyhawk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take plenty of nail polish,makeup and hairspray,charge your cell phone and gas up the SUV and you should be all set.
2007-03-14 16:27:16 · answer #9 · answered by naseldrip 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋