A lot has change over fifty years. I went to Lackland Feb. 1970. Six weeks basic training. Today's ceremonies are much more elaborate than what I experienced. We had only a ceremonial formation in the stadium and base pass. There was no 3-mile run, no coin ceremony, no dorm tours or city pass. Unlike today, very few familys came to Lackland. The next day we were bussed to our tech school. I rode in a blue school bus to Keesler AFB in Biloxi MS
They just changed it since the shootings of the marines, I'm leaving in 12 days and I have to wear and pack "dressy" civilian clothes so I have them for graduation to leave base.
Hey man I'm going to BMT this Tuesday and I was feelin pretty nervous about it. But I watched a lot of your vids and I feel a lot more at ease. I'm not sure if you'll ready this but I appreciate all your vids you did they're great.
Thank you for this. My folks are still confused about the whole process. Finally got a ship date for sept 22nd, graduating Nov 12th, so this will be super useful.
+James Bryant Hey James, okay. If your girlfriend is coming from Oklahoma, she would just have to pick you up and be your mode of transportation for the weekend. If you go to seaworld, then yes, you will have a free ticket for yourself and 30% for hers (according to the seaworld website as of now). Yes, you will have access to any credit/debit cards, or cash that you bring with you to BMT. (I suggest not bringing more than $20-30 or so to BMT though). Hope that answers your questions
WildBlueYonder Much Thanks Bro!! one last question though, the money that I will be earning in basic will I have access to it once I graduate, the whole time at basic or after I leave bmt or how does that work? I'm asking because I'd prefer to use a portion of that money that weekend with her, I could bring money to bmt, but I'd feel it easier to use what I earn there if possible, also you said for the weekend? when I Graduate I know I get a town pass, I thought that was only for a day though, but are you saying the town pass is the whole weekend? Sorry for all the questions I just would like to know all I need to know in advance x'D
You'll have access to the money you earn at BMT while you are at BMT, once you graduate, and when you leave. So long as you've been there long enough to actually get paid and have money in that account lol. The town pass is Friday and Saturday, and then Sunday is a Base Liberty. You can earn a third Town Pass by being an Honor Graduate, being in the Honor Flight, or having a Thunderbolt PT award. You also have two Base Liberties the following weekend
WildBlueYonder Thanks so so much man!! Fantastic channel and keep up the good work!! Also what is the thunderbolt PT award, just wondering? I was an all state track athlete in highschool and WarEagle/WarHawk(I forgot which it was lol) Is definetly in my sights, how do you get Thunderbolt though? Is it a majority thing or just like one person in basic gets selected for it? also what are prerequesites for it?
No problem! And I actually meant Warhawk. That's how you get the third town pass. There are 3 PT fitness awards. Liberator, Thunderbolt, and then the best is Warhawk. Liberator just means you passed the test. Thunderbolt was over 90 Warhawk was a perfect 100
You don't necessarily wear your uniform on town pass anymore. As of September 2015, every week they decide if there's a security threat or not and then they have you wear dress shoes, dress pants and a collard shirt instead of your uniform. It's a little frustrating because now I have to bring a change of clothes for my husband for his graduation next week.
Your videos are super helpful! I plan on enlisting in 5 months when I turn 18, but I do have one question. Are medical jobs hard to get? I'm really into the medical field, but I was just curious as to how complicated it is to get one.
Heading there this week. What are the best gates to gain access/ view points to see my son? I have heard Luke gate and get there early . Where is the best place to park, etc.? Thanks again for all your info. I subbed and gained tons of information from you.
+K Vozzy Hey, Congrats for your son! Well, I wish I could tell you, but I really don't remember haha. I only went on/off base like twice anyways at Lackland. If you want a lot of great info, you can call the Lackland AFB Visitor's Center
hey man. I love your videos. You're very helpful. I was wondering how my family would be coming to graduation. We've never flown on a plane. I live in Pennsylvania. The Air Force doesn't help pay for your family's ticket do they? I was just curious on how they were contacted to know when to come and how to get there. Thanks man.
+Kevin Hughes How's it going! Yeah they'll have to pay for their own transportation, whether it be flying, car, bus, etc. The Air Force doesn't pay for that. You'll be able to let them know when your graduation day is once you get to BMT
I live in San Antonio and I’m planning on joining the Air Force this year. If anyone would like any suggestions of where to eat, I know this city better than the back of my hand.
Hey Man I need help with a certain question, if I may ask? So basically I go to BMT in a couple of weeks July 7th to be exact and when it gets done I would like to spend my town day with my girlfriend who lives in Oklahoma who would like to meet me, you mentioned I would not be able to drive and I must remain in my blues, does this mean she would have to come and pick me up? Also if we ended up going go sea world, you said I could get a free ticket and 30% off of who's with me, so I could get in free and her 30% would I then have access to my bank account to pay or what's up, if you could get back to me ASAP so I can know in advance to talk it over and plan with her that would be super rad, thanks in advance -James
Hey WBY so I’m at odds with my family and they’ve addressed multiple times that they might not go to my graduation. Will I have to stand at Parade Rest until everyone leaves??? If so that’s gonna kinda be awkward. Will I eventually be able to leave once my squad has left? Just wondering so I can prepare myself 😅
ik this video is old but if anyone could help me out with this question. i’m graduating the week of christmas. so will they automatically make me take leave or could i take leave my first week of tech school?
So here is a question. If someone is going to BMT then pararescue indoc, the big thing people say is that they cant swim for the 8 weeks of basic, and you loose swim time before taking the PAST to go to the development course. Is it possible to use pool on base graduation weekend and you have a free pass. Or sneak into a gym with a pool in San Antonio off base? Something to get that last practice swim in.
Your videos are very helpful, I'm in the process of enlisting in the Air Force. I've actually talked to a recruiter and he said the Air Force only has Mechanical and Electrical jobs available, and of course security forces. But me being a female, I don't think a mechanical or electrical job would do for me. Do you have any advice on jobs in that category?
Breonna Gaston Hey Breonna, thanks! Okay, most girls underestimate their mechanical abilities. So don't limit yourself! Both men and women go through the same training to become professionals at their specialty, and I know a few women in maintenance who do their jobs as well- if not, better- than men. And no, they aren't husky and manly. haha. Now, don't get me wrong, if you're mechanical- you're gonna get some grease on your hands and some dirt on your uniform. It comes with the job. And there is also the..uh.. let's say "manly" environment. So be prepared for that too. But there's also the excitement and pride of working on multi million dollar aircraft- working on an active flight line, being up close and personal with the jets and machines that secure our freedom (blah blah, more patriotic stuff). But it's all true. Electrical? I don't know much about electrical jobs. I'm maintenance, so we only work with E&E (Electronic and Environmental) That is a lot less mechanical and gritty. It's much more technical and mentally challenging. You could be fusing wires on an aircraft, troubleshooting systems, or running inspections and diagnostic tests. It all depends on where you get put. I hope this info helps! Let me know if you have any other questions
Thanks so much, I was kinda nervous about having a mechanical job but you make it seems like it's not that bad for a female to have a mechanical job, thanks for the advice. I love all your videos btw.
How would you move some of your stuff to tech school. Like for example if you wanted to bring like your Xbox or laptop to tech school do your parents bring when you graduate bmt or do you get when you are waiting to go to tech school or even when you first go to tech school. Please someone answer because I'm a little confused.
DirtRunnerGirl 0_0 you can lug it with you from BMT, you can have it shipped to you from your parents, you can buy one online, or you can buy one from a local store or the Gamestop on base. (I believe all AF bases have Gamestops)
I'm 16 but a freshman in high school. I want to enlist when I'm 18 but I will be a junior. Can I enlist before I graduate and finish high school between bmt and tech school?
Celinette Moyet Well, I hope you're ready to get a little dirt on your uniform lol. Here is a link for more info on your job choices www.militaryspot.com/air-force/air-force-mechanical-careers/
So ik that we stand at attention until they say dismissed at graduation and then we go to parade rest until we're tapped. But what if no family is coming? Do we just stay at parade rest until a friends parents or something tap us like ask them ahead of time to let their folks know? .. I leave for basic Feb 7th so very curious on what to do
+Zhanelle Davis If no family is coming, then you'll just stand at parade rest for a few minutes until a few people have been tapped, then you can just fall out on your own.
+WildBlueYonder okay cool thanks! And then for town pass are we allowed to have our phones? I'm going to visit and elder that's about 20 minutes away from the reception center all day and need it to contact a taxi and then the family member as well
Actually, no you don't use your phone back until you leave BMT for tech school. But you can use your family member's phones. You can also use payphones to call a cab/family
My son went to San Antonio last Tuesday and I've not heard a word. Is he okay? Should I be freaking out? I thought you guys get a phone call home in 0week? Do they still make you do the obstacle coarse that I've seen in some old videos?
Cindy Miller Hi Ms. Miller, I can't speak for the Air Force but I'm sure your son is fine and well. They will usually give everyone a phone call within their 0 week. If for some reason that isn't possible, then they'll have to press on with training. If your son didn't arrive at BMT, then you would have received some sort of notification or phone call about it. So you can rest assured that he has arrived safely. And yes, I do believe they still have an obstacle course.
jessie bailey If you don't have family coming, then you just wait a minute or so until other people get dismissed (so it isn't so obvious). Then you just walk off by yourself
Yes, just take them off until you're done with the ride, then you put it back on as you step off. Also, if you ride water rides, you can bring your PT gear to change into
