I'm about to leave for basic training in a month for the US Air Force and I've been looking online for people who have been through it to read about how it was like. I would love to read about your experiences (not only US military, any country as well).

I did it a long time ago oldwizard and it was a piece of cake compared to the other services. Is it still in San Antonio?

Anyway, depending on what field you went into, it was either 5 weeks in Lackland and another 8 (? not really sure how many) for a couple of hours a day at your tech school. If you weren't going into a field needing a long school, it was 8 weeks at Lackland.

The bottom line is, if you're in reasonable physical condition, you won't have a problem.

I've heard the the USAF Boot Camp is the easier of the US armed forces but they do have good Air and Space programs. Just do what the Drill Sargent says and you'll do alright....I wish I could have joined the military but that's another story.

Cool I hope you get to drop some big bombs some day.Just not on Ireland please.
Ahem...

Once you are able to stay positive and deal with having no alone time for the initial period you should be okay.Also, if you end up going through the stargate make sure to bring a lockpick...air force personnel are always getting themselves captured on other planets.

never be first, never be last, and keep your mouth shut.

If your instructors learn your name within a week, you're usually screwed.


Other than that, it's about building discipline.. don't give them anything to yell at you for.

They still yell, but then you don't have to listen to it..



can you shine boots? hospital corners folded? walk in a straight line? stand for hours at end for no apparent reason (inspections) and run everywhere at a double time?


oh good.

then you're ready

Yeah, it's still at Lackland Air Force Base. I've been training for a few months so hopefully I'll be in good enough shape.


That was true, but about 8 years ago they remade it much tougher than it was, or so I've read on a few sites.


Actually, I can't do any of those :laugh: (well, except walking in a straight line)

My brother joined our army and solidly broke his foot running a couple of months later. Kept him out physical action for a few months. Stupid thing just wouldn't heal haha

There's also pictures of him and others freeing up a tank that was stuck in mud using nothing but the tools they have inside the tank. That looked fun.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

I'm interested in this too. I talked to the local recruiter and he said that this summer (The summer between my junior and senior year of highschool) I can go to basic training. Then, throughout the school year, I will go once a month to continue training until I apply for college. He thinks I have the grades to get into West Point, but I really like The Citadel and Norwich. Norwich is the least prestigious of the three, but it has an orchestra and I've played the cello for so long, I can't just give it up. Either way I am leaning heavily towards military colleges. I just don't know if going to basic over the summer would be such a good idea though, I mean it makes me look much better on my applications, but it's binding.

Ah I see...I actally came very very very VERY close in enlisting in the National Guard. Passed the ASVAB but over the wieght limit as far as military standards goes.

Well, different branches have their basic training at different locations. I know someone that just went in the Navy and his training was in Michigan. I know all Air Force training is in Texas, so I'm stoked I'm going in the winter instead of during the summer..I hate hot weather.



I think if you're over the weight limit they check body fat to see if you are fit enough.

One tip: Never, EVER say "But my recruiter said...[whatever your recruiter said]"
It will not end well for you.

Pretty much everything Old Andy said. All I would add to it is to remember that no matter how bad it seems, literally thousands of people just like you went through the exact same thing just a few weeks ago and they are all fine.

I went through basic back when the drill sergeants were still allowed to cuss, scream, spit and beat on you. I decided that I would be "the tough guy" of my platoon and never show pain or weakness when the drills were around. I don't recommend it.

This------actally kinda pisses me off :angry: (nothing aginst you BTW-We cool) . My recuriter wouldn't allow me to continue with the enlistment process because I was 230---he was wanting me below or at 200 (I'm holding at 260 now---heavy but still fit somewhat, also I'm 30 so I might be over the age to enlist now I think) but still at the time I could walk 5 miles, do a good set of push-ups and sit-ups, I could had lost those 30 or more pounds in Boot Camp. Sigh----talk about being cheated out of a dream <_<.

Parade Gloss. Buy it. :laugh:

I'm not too familiar with the Airforce because I was in the Army Infantry back in the early 90's but I can try.

Right away you should start jogging and eating right.
Get yourself a comfortable pair of running sneakers.
Get a list of contacts you may want to write while you're there.
Never bring anything of value with you.
Always deposit your money or send it home asap. only carry enough for hygiene care and the little things.
And maybe read up on ranks and rules in the Airforce.

Good luck!!

That svcks, man.

When I went to MEPS, I was hovering around the limit, so I basically starved myself for 5 days before I went to make sure I was under the limit. I felt like [censored] that whole time, then some guy there was overweight and got measured for body fat. I was pissed! After I was done that day, I ate like a pig. :laugh:

There's a bunch of good advice. Especially about bringing stuff with you. Maybe take a book and a few dollars, but that's about it. I was stuck in Newark Airport for about 8 hours waiting for a plane to Texas, but anything more than what's needed to get through something like that, leave it home.

If I was in your shoes I would have done the same thing . Anyway good luck in the UASF .

Thanks


They make you set up a direct deposit now a days, and if you don't have a bank they make you use the one there. Thanks for the tips

You're welcome---anyone who enlist in the military automaticly gets my respect :celebration: .

Remember that literally tens of millions of servicemembers have gone through it before, and it's designed to make you better, not to make you fail. It will svck, you will be miserable at times, but it will end.

Steelers 95 is right about items of value; you'll find yourself in transient areas (inprocessing before your actual training) and that's where people steal the most. Keep an eye on your wallet. Learning the enlisted and officer ranks, plus their form of address, will give you an advantage as well.

Names? We were never addressed by name outside of mail call or documented disciplinary action. We were a rank and usually plural within formation. But it is interesting to see the differences in training doctrines.

And yes they yell (sometimes just inches from your ear). Quite a bit actually, which can make their instruction at times tough to comprehend. But that is the point; It conditions you to react to commands under stress which simulates the chaos of battle. So listening is very important...

I'm U.S. Army alumni and don't really know much about the Air Forces basic, but there is a common theme; It's more mental than physical. Granted, a 20k forced march with 60lb basic load is not a walk in the park (I wouldn't expect this in Air Force training ), but I found the minutiae of military life the toughest part. Prepare yourself to stand around a lot for no apparent reason, team work and communicate with people of a vast demographic profile, endure repetitious exercise in what seems to be so "obvious" to you, and attempt the all this fatigued, lacking sleep, and missing "life back on the street".

But it all seems to gel after the first few weeks. Both the physical and mental stresses will dissipate as you build camaraderie with your fellow recruits, and when I say "camaraderie" I mean life-long bonds. Love or hate, these people will be a second family to you.

Probably not the advice you're looking for, but that's my thoughts on it.

I wish you the best of luck my friend, and thank you for your service.

Air Force is the easiest, and happens to be the branch I'd join were I to enlist. ^_^

Basically, just do what the instructors say.

I heard from many of my friend's older siblings and relatives that the Air Force is very easy after you clear your six weeks of training (or is it longer/shorter now?). Either way, after your training, the Air Force never does actual field fighting unless you're a pilot so you're either manning computers or a wrench. A very safe job and a decent pay.

For tips? Just weather through the training as best as you can and remember: It'll be smooth sailing afterwards.

I went to U.S. Army basic training back in 1987. As said before, it's a bit tougher than what you can expect, but you will be challenged, none the less.

Advice:
Follow the rules. I was disciplined (Article 15) for fraternizing because I spoke to a female trainee on sick call. I received a second Article 15 for smoking (against the rules in basic, okay after that...at least it was back in the '80s).
You will make mistakes, learn from them and improve...that's the whole reason you're doing this.
Learn how to spit-shine (hint: It's water, not spit) and learn now, so you've got a leg-up on the competition.
Learn how to iron, you don't get to cheat (i.e. korean laundry) until you get out of basic.
Learn Drill and Ceremony, asap. Don't go Goofy-stepping on the parade field.

The good stuff:
There is a singular point where you realize that you've got it...you know the stuff and you feel GOOD!.
To this day I remember that feeling and I still draw strength from that sense of confidence.

You will never be the same after this and that is a good thing.
I