As a Marine it's very interesting seeing what Air Force BMT is like. It doesn't matter what branch of the military your join or what initial training is called..boot camp, basic etc....the first week is a blur. You're running all over and people are screaming at you to do this or not do that. That first week is a universal nightmare we all share.
It is funny I originally went through Army Boot camp then served in the USCG and then the USAF....I have for years heard that USAF boot camp was summer camp by people in other services.....they all suck and I get it some are harder then others, but in the end there are more similarities between all boot camps then differences
I graduated from BMT almost two years ago and I can’t stop smiling while watching this. This is exactly what it was like being in basic. I would do it all over again! I made the best of friends there and it made me so much more confident, efficient, and resilient in the end. Currently loving my career in the Air Force. Such a rewarding experience this was.
@@elvisnunez2191Do the OTS route, Officer Training School. You don't want to be in the enlisted ranks with a college degree. You progress from E-1 Airman Basic to E-3 Airman First Class in two years. In these ranks you'll be getting paid the same the the mechanics, and all other AFSC's. The Air Force has civilian employees if you want to be around people in uniforms.
The part where that young man said that he was trying not to think about his wife, but they forced him to call her and that he had to listen to her crying. The ways they test recruits are personal more often than not.
That wasn't a test. Family members need to know you are safe or they worry and try to reach out to the unit to confirm your well-being. It was weird that he said they made him call. If you think it's acceptable to arrive on base at basic and not tell your spouse you made it safely...that's the wrong answer. They "made" him call because it's the responsible thing to do. Family members flip out and come up with all types of crazy delusions when they do not hear from their loved ones.
@@odgreen5655 the process shifts more towards success when you realize one undeniable reality: IT IS ALL A TEST. Every command and response, every step and movement in and out of formation, every repetition in PT, the condition and wearing of your uniform, the way you work alone and, more importantly, as a group. Even the way you behave during chow is graded. For eight weeks and change, everything is analyzed, whether you do it or not. Calling the experience different is a nonfunctioning understatement.
@@mcoleman6893 Some of those same things happen outside of basic i.e. leaders making their people call home because their parents are worried. It wasn't a test when we did the same thing overseas.
@@denno3124 Good evening. In America, basic training is treated as a way to help separate enlistees from the lives they had. The connection the trainees have to family and friends is, for some, considered contrary to good order because of the focus they are supposed to devote towards training. Their solution is to intensify the demands upon that recruit, expecting them to prioritize their energies and focus upon the current issue.
He didn’t have to check in with her. Just like she didn’t have to burden him with crying knowing what environment he’s in. He could’ve called his mother, grandmother, great grandmother, or father he said doesn’t clean after himself. He had to check-in with someone and he’s already victimizing himself over “my wife was crying”. Suck. It. Up.
“Anybody can be great in one moment. Anybody can get louder when I tell them it sounds weak. But can you be great consistently ?”- Sgt Rice Beautifully said
Man. Kudos to the Air Force on this production. i see some awards for this in the future. And shout out to the Sgt at the end who has no doubt a higher understanding of motivating. He isn't just loud. "anybody can be great in one moment. anybody can be loud when i ask you to be loud. Can you be great consistently?" WOOOO LETS GO!!!
@@SympatheticNightmare TI’s do not play it up for the cameras. When I went through, my TI was just as motivating as that TI is in this video. FLT 583, 323rd squadron, 2019
Honestly joined the Army. By far one of the best decisions of my life, having just reenlisted for another 3-year contract; getting out in April 2025. As for the call home, I told my mom about how I would call and told her not to pick up. So she could relisten to the message and to get the correct address.
that’s a good tip thanks i was worried my folks aren’t going to get address correctly the first time. thank you for your service and wish you the best!
When I was in Air Force BMT I told my Mom to hang up and not answer so I could leave the message. It's really the only way anyone would get the correct address. These MTI's were nice during the phone calls, I was getting screamed at the entire time.
It is funny I originally went through Army Boot camp then served in the USCG and then the USAF....I have for years heard that USAF boot camp was summer camp by people in other services.....they all suck and I get it some are harder then others, but in the end there are more similarities between all boot camps then differences
My dad retired Air Force, told me in basic just think one day at a time. Worked for me. Also, he told me don’t take anything to basic, just clothes you have on.
Small glimpse at the end of Sgt Rice! Brings me back, I hope by the end those recruits know how lucky they were to have such a great motivator and teacher. I remember running in the mornings behind him while he spoke words of wisdom and inspiration! Leading by example and always full of positivity. Inspires me to this day!
He was a SSgt when I went through at the end of 2018. I honestly just meant to write Sgt, not sure why I added the T. He may have made Tech I'm not sure but he's definitely a SSgt when this was filmed.
As I'm watching this I'm smiling the whole time remembering my time in basic August 1975. I was terrified the first week but I knew that as long as I followed directions and kept a positive attitude things would get easier and better. If I got yelled at for screwing up I just made sure I didn't do it again. My days were filled with small victories. If I went a day without getting yelled at it was a victory for me. Hang in there trainees. One day you too will look back on this time and smile. I read someone's comment that said: Basic training was was the most fun that he never wanted to do again. I couldn't agree more!
Hey, thank you for your service! these words couldnt have been truer, love looking back at the times and memories made but would never want to go through this ever again. Graduated june 10 2021 320 trs
@@RedStarGuyComrade Congratulations on completing basic. I'm assuming you have completed tech school or you're pretty close. The USAF can be a great career but I know it's not for everyone. I served my time on active duty then I joined the Air National Guard and became a full time technician. I retired in 2014 after 38.5 years!
@@loose-arrow-garage wow what a decorated record sir. I am currently at Tinker as an airborne radio operator, I am honestly enjoying my time here and dont think I will be separating after my first contract. You have witnessed a lot of changes and history of the air force almost half of its existence and that is incredible, dont see myself yet being in for that period but time will tell like with any job in the military.
@@RedStarGuyComrade How many airman are not going to get the jab, wondering if you know of any airman that are going to reject it. They have until January 2022. Thank you for serving BMT Sq 3701st flt 341 1984
I did over 20 years in the Army and I can still remember the first night and smell of the initial processing station, basic, and advanced individual training. Also all the drill sergeants names in my company.
I don’t remember my TI’s name but I do remember he was a TSgt and had just returned from Vietnam. He kept telling us about his brother who was in the Army and close to the end of his second Vietnam tour. This was March/April 1971. You could tell he worried about his brother a lot.
Memories you can't shake. I remember the smell of sweat in the mattress I slept in the night we arrived. It was late...I had no linen..I curled up on that cool, musty mattress and used my bag for a pillow...and was knocked out..until those lights came on a couple hours later.
Seriously, that 7-week period was one of the best times of my life. The rest of my 4 year enlistment was a huge letdown. The first week was intense, but then the rest of it was like being on a winning team where everyone helped each other. You almost never get that in real life. And our TI's were the two biggest goofballs in the Air Force, but effective. They were always my model for how to manage people.
@@62heliman I got the job I asked for. The military in general in the late-70s/early-80s, in my opinion, was just awful. Everything after Basic was just a bunch of people struggling to gain - and then abuse - power and rank. That was my experience, anyway. But Basic was a blast.
Yikes. Met a prior service Airman that made it to civilian HR. I assume his only "people skills" came from AF. Lemme tell you, if you don't know how to assimilate when you get out, you should contract or stay in. Military ain't a place to learn how to talk to people on the outside
"First two down" Oh no 😅 Memories. That SSgt at the end really has it figured out though. He's the kind of person you want to be responsible for those new Airmen 👏 They're all excellent and efficient.
I graduated from BMT October 2022. As I watch these videos it all makes sense. It didn’t make any sense in the beginning, everything started to click later on during the last weeks of my BMT. I thought I didn’t like it, I thought it was the darkest time of my life but now I see how wrong I was. I miss certain things about BMT and people, because all the wonderful people did make it more fun. We also had amazing MTIs. They did give us some tough love but that was exactly what we needed. It was one of a kind experience and I appreciate I had a chance to get it. Shout out to 331 TRS!!!!
@@atomix2933 yes and no. all mtis and squadrons are different so they have there own ways of teaching but the yelling and working out they make you do if you mess up is all true. i had really chill mtis tho so it wasn’t terrible. these videos are pretty accurate tho. obviously things change from when this was first released but the only things that change is the order you do everything in. i’m not sure if this helped but if you want to know more i will be happy to tell you.
LMAO I was in total stitches with all the shouting going on, recruits were in total shock. All I can say is give yourself adequate time to physically prepare and most importantly mentally condition for the BMT. Not a means to ace it because there is nothing in civie street to prepare you for this except for a few teenage programs out there but even that is no gaurantee. My son said this was by far the hardest thing he's ever had to go through, not even the Devil pups or CAP comes close but he already knew that. Good luck to all future Airman brave enough to embark on a wonderful journey and career in the USAF.
i went to BMT November 2020, i've been in for over a year now. funny looking back at BMT and realizing from a outsiders perspective how scary it can be but i just remember all the amazing times at i had with my buddies and how we all handled the situations thrown at us. do i miss it sometimes? yeah, would i ever do it again? probably not, like they say at SERE training - "some of the best training you'll never wanna do again"
The TIs have one of the most difficult jobs in the military. They go through basic training every time, where trainees only go through it once. Wore an instructor "cookie" nine years, both training people and working at the HQ at Randolph. Retired many years ago, senior officer. My predictions - the two ladies will do just fine. The guy with the glasses and the two last names will wash out. He radiates attitude. The other two guys should do okay.
yup agree was in a flight of 50 and 2 washed out do to medical reasons and one guy just didnt want to be in Air force so he got out 3rd week. There always will be a few people here and there that would want to leave "change their mind about being in military" or get washed out beyond their control.
@@chrisconley3587 Just going from what I have seen so far. As I get new info can change my opinion; that's why they made me a field-grade officer. Best of luck in the job.
I have been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait in combat deployments. The Airforce has great food, bases and is the best possible branch for living arrangements and benefits! Marines deal with the least level of food, outdoor activities are almost always harsh in living arrangements and is a rough experience, but the brotherhood or sisterhood closeness is the best. You have to absolutely want to a Marine to deal with it. Once a marine you will always be one unless you get discharged dishonorably. When crap hits the fan they are the best to be with.. The Army and Navy is similar experience except in living arrangements and benefits! Airforce have the best looking and ability to think quickly with for the majority! Airforce is the best for the families. Army is so big so there will be difficult challenges, but more opportunities for assisments and MOS's. I absolutely love our military and love the fact we are absolutely voluntary enlistment! The old saying is the Marines are great at causing havoc and absolutely destruction of the enemy and the army is there to clean up the mess with structure. I deployed as a Civilian and deployed and lived on bases under the branches except the navy, so I don't want to be wrong. My opinion only! I wished I could deploy again! I loved my time with the DOD! Every branch has its own style of kicking but!
The trainee stuck to the script without slipping in an, "I love you. We will be together again" to his wife. I snuck in a few lines and I was talking to my step sister. Then again I was also that guy who snuck bread in for a bed time snack after chow when I could. They also ate slower than I recall. I was derpy like them, but chow time was business. I was a high speed professional at chow time - I wasn't wasting no time dealing with an instructor for being jacked up.
The only thing is is I wouldn’t want to be the first person in the line to move, because while being yelled at I would disconnect from the yelling and almost zone out until the next thing was happening and I could follow along, if I was first in line I’d have no idea what I was supposed to be doing
My son just left for bmt on Tuesday. I was there in 1990 and his dad was there in 1989. My son loved this series and it helped him feel ready to face the challenge and follow in his parents footsteps. EXCELLENT series!! #airforcelegacy
Went through BMT in 2008 and I'm glad to see the improvements made. 331st TRS. Now I'm a MSgt leading Airmen. Seeing this gives me a strange desire to go back through BMT lol.
I went through December 2008 as well and I am also a MSgt...while this does put a smile on my face I have no desire to go back through BMT...good to see they haven't lighten up.
I'm a MSgt coming up on retirement and he got me motivated. Just watching him for five minutes, the dude has leadership and passion; he knows it's about more than just yelling at some kids. I can tell he knows how to inspire and motivate excellence.
I went through basic in 1976. No air conditioning, no tennis shoes, no water bottles or snacks. A lot of cussing and having to put up with cigarette smoke blowing from the TI’s mouth. After basic it was a different world. I learned so much and got to travel the all over.
September '78, we had the new barracks, but the AC was hit or miss, shoe of the day, combat or chukka boots, stupid water bottles, we never got drink from them, just to fill them up and empty them again when we got back to the barracks. Remember having to cut the grass around the old hut barracks, I feel your pain.
I tried joining the air force out of high school. I had a high ASVAB score but I was way too fat, according to the recruiters. The Marine Corps recruiters looked at me and said "You wont be soon" XD Here I am 8 years later just now getting out lmao
In my day, the USMC had the 2nd highest ASVAB score requirement of all services (excluding Coast Guard); and I was told that many that scored highest chose 0311 for first choice, with many looking beyond it for things like FAST. Semper Fi
I actually teared up a few times watching this because it's such nostalgia. I know I've only been in since January of 2020 but I remember this all like it was yesterday.
We had a MSgt from hell yelling at us the first weeks of BMTS back in 1982. Constant reminder of military bearing, speaking clearly and concisely. Constantly doing PT to motivate every airman. Time to weed out the undesirables/unfit. It certainly catches up to them later at the first base.
When it came to calling our family to let them know our address, our MTIs just told us to take a picture and send it then call and tell them we made it safely. I was part of the 321st graduated in April 2021
My boyfriend did the same thing and called me the next day unexpectedly about ceremony information. I can tell he was staying on script but also slipped in little messages. Best 6 minute call I’ll never forget. Graduates in April 2022
@@LoneBlackWoof It depends on her MTIs. They get their initial call the same day that they get there but any calls after that are determined by the MTIs. When I was in, they let us call every weekend so you might get a call Saturday or Sunday.
@@ashleymariah95 I didn't get a initial call when she first got to San Antonio just a text saying she landed. Hopefully I'll get a call today which will be 72 hours or Saturday like you said. thanks for the response
It appears lot has changed since June of 1985. Joining the Air Force was the best decision of my life. Spent 24 years between Active Duty and the Indiana Air National Guard. Good luck to all. 3702
Jan 6, 1985 Lackland AFB, TX was my first BMT day. Today's BMT, the TI's, and the trainees look a lot softer and far less intimidating than what I went through.
I went through late 1990. Some things look different but the "junk on the bunk" seems the same. I think the TI's toned it down with a camera in the room.
It is funny I originally went through Army Boot camp then served in the USCG and then the USAF....I have for years heard that USAF boot camp was summer camp by people in other services.....they all suck and I get it some are harder then others, but in the end there are more similarities between all boot camps then differences
This is more like it, no Mr. or Mrs. nice guy or woman, we got yelled at all the time back in 1976 and we did things very quickly, your life might depend on it!!!!! Basic Training is meant to be stressful and difficult on purpose, the enemy will NOT be blowing you kisses!!! Our t-shirts and underwear had to be folded 6 by 6 inches and were measured. I still fold my underwear and socks and I am 65 years old now. Basic training changed me from a smart mouthed punk to a respectful man!!! I still remember my MTI, he was hard and very firm, but very fair. I am grateful to have gone through basic training, served 6 years in the Air Force discharging as a Staff Sergeant!!! I was trusted to be in my Security Police Squadron, securing nuclear weapons and securing the SR-71 Blackbird and meeting President Jimmy Carter before my career ended. In part this happened due to God and my MTI enforcing Military discipline in my life. I am proud to have served my great nation!!!!
I was 321st TRS in 1996!! Flight W214 I think. My MTIs were Thompson and Herrera I think. And a woman named Liles I think?? Here I am after serving 6 years enlisted, 5 years officer in active duty... about to reignite my career in the USAF Reserves! This was fun to watch. Brought back some memories!!... Get your DCID...I remember what that means. (Although now it has a meaning unrelated to formations and marching) Get your cover! "Short and choppy steps, sir, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1." If you're taller than the trainee in front of you, tap them on the shoulder and move forward. Road Guards out!!! Holding the handrails. All. The. Time. Chow hall. The snake pit. Only differences... uniforms are different and we didn't have cell phones when I was there in 96. Pay phones. I think we had those prepaid phone cards. I could never be a drill sergeant. This may be my new binge watch. I didn't love episode 1. I just wanted to revisit boot camp. Lol
Graduated BMT May 2022. Started with 321st, finished with 331st. Recycled for sit ups in 5th week PT test. Missed it by 2 sit ups. Man I was pissed and sad. But I finished it and when I think about it, I felt friggin great. Plus, I didn't have to worry about PC's and classes as I had to go back 2 weeks of training. But it helped me to emerge as a leader helping the other trainees out
You guys have it made. When I left BMT in 1972 I was in my dress blues flying through Dallas. A girl got in my face screaming at me calling me a baby killer. It freaked me out. Lots of people hated the military during the Vietnam war.
This brings back lots of memories from when I was part of the 320th back when I went to basic back in 1996. These new training dorms are way nicer then the ones I had to stay in. I guess they don’t have to carry the Lackland laser during hours of darkness
I’m glad that I went through bootcamp in the marines, I’m thinking about going to the airforce but I couldn’t be more happier that I don’t have to go through their basic training again
We had a Army guy who was in your squadron May 1984, only had to do one week, take the test. But if he failed he would be with us the hole 6 weeks, get a hair cut as well. He made it and was on his way. I asked him why the change, told me was tired of wearing a pot on his head.
It is funny I originally went through Army Boot camp then served in the USCG and then the USAF....I have for years heard that USAF boot camp was summer camp by people in other services.....they all suck and I get it some are harder then others, but in the end there are more similarities between all boot camps then differences
Two weeks in tech school and I decided to reminisce . Ahhh I don’t miss reveille in the mornings what so ever . This was a 7 week period I’ll never forget best times and best friends I’ve made . They changed a lot of stuff but it’s just nice hearing an MTI do their job and scream
Some 28 years later and now an Army Major... I enjoyed this video to reflect on our flights journey. I can remember weekly high and lowlights. From me running and passing hundreds to only realize that I had to run back an extended amount to 50 of us failing redlines then reporting to kitchen duty at 0300. I was one of the "leaders" in the second bay and during week 5 we jokingly snuck under A bays beds while they were yapping about us. On command we shook beds and scattered. Shortly after we were inspected and although no one turned in their flight mates we were informed TSGT Brown was replaced with a Cape Fear looking DI. They then told us you will lose 4 airman a day until graduation. We ended up losing a dozen or so and then went on to kick some butt at the final graduation assembly in front of our families. I drafted a story in our year-book, but remember so much. Three wild memories. Our sister flight, which was upstairs acting really wild in the hallways, sneaking out and getting a payday from the vending machine to be split by about 30 Airman, and no call home until week 5. One more thing... We were not trained on fire drills and it just so happened I was on door guard when I was told of a fire. I winged it and did a decent job for having no clue what the proper procedure was. They pulled a 214, which did not amount to anything specific. It's been an amazing journey and I look forward to continuing to serve for another dozen years.
Awesome observations. I went through two BMT efforts. Once at the USAFA prep school and a second through BMT at the Academy. I understand the indoc training, because you have near peers training you. I would wish for a calmer and more reserved approach. I think it would foster better discipline and more self induced improvement,. I would totally change the shouting and intimidation. My two cents from a LTC retired with 26 yrs.
It is funny I originally went through Army Boot camp then served in the USCG and then the USAF....I have for years heard that USAF boot camp was summer camp by people in other services.....they all suck and I get it some are harder then others, but in the end there are more similarities between all boot camps then differences
I’m fresh from basic and now in tech school. 13 weeks of training because of an injury. Hardest but best thing I have ever done in my entire life and it made me a better person and airman. I’m tactile aircraft maintenance, A-10s and I’m hella excited. When that “attention in the squadron attention in the dormitory” came on it made me turn my volume up to listen automatically 😂😂
I was there when all this was going down Camera guys were there at the 321st. They were out filming on a couple of the running mornings and in the DFAC. Then we were told what it was all about, that was Oct. of 2019
I went to basic in September of that same year. Can’t believe we hit our two years already. So glad I’m done with basic…sometimes I have some bad flashbacks from those days.
Time flies! I joined in 2016 and can’t believe it’s been 5 years since I was there. Different uniform but the facilities look just like they did then. What’s your afsc and how do you like the Air Force?
@@cliftonguyette2498 I was in the Air Force back in the early 1970s. There was no job guarantees back then but I did luck out through a strange set of circumstances and I got to pick my job. The job was great which made the whole experience very rewarding. My suggestion is to pick the right job, the rest will fall into place. After I got out I taught high school for 32 years. There were students that expressed interest in the military and I encouraged them, but I did push the Air Force in particular. Good luck. GO AIR FORCE.
The 3704th BMTS was my basic training squadron in 82 and the 321st TRS was my squadron when I was an MTI in 93. BMT sure has changed a lot but this still brings back memories.
Just think about it, they talk about shock and awe when they would’ve been successful in any branch. To see how each branch changes people. The recruiting and bootcamp phases are truly extraordinary
I had Sgt Rice as a WIS hat, in the class setting, he was the funniest man in the 321st. He had my flight in tears with his jokes and Wise humor. Looking at him in the working field of MTI’s I know he cared and loved his duty.
Our son was raised by a Marine Dad & Gunny. He joined the Air Force. Being a son of a Marine made it easier during boot camp because he was used to it already. LOL. He was leader both during boot camp & tech school.
Entered basic training 45 years ago young, scared, and raw. Made it through then onto aircraft maintenance training. Stationed at Rhein Main AB on C-130's in Germany then Barksdale AFB Louisiana on B-52's. Joining the Air Force was the best decision of my entire life. I used VEAP to get a college degree and had a very successful career with a large company using skills learned from the mighty people in the AF. I wish I could do it all again. My training instructors were TSGT Hinkle and SSGT Timmons.
Yeah, Germany was awesome. I was stationed there 2000-2003 during my Air Force enlistment and was there when Rhein Main shut down. Loved Germany so much, I returned there after college as a Federal DoD civilian, this time for 5 years in Wiesbaden.
@@swampfoxIX That's so awesome! Thank you for reaching out fellow Rhein Mainer. I too loved Germany. Took several German language courses. Sadly, foreign language studies are not a strong point for me. If I remember correctly, Wiesbaden had an active but quiet airstrip. We went on that base one time. Wish you well.
@@philmccrevis4493 Wiesbaden and the air field on WAAF (now called Lucius Clay Caserne) is extremely active now, ever since USAREUR HQ moved there after the Heidelberg garrison closed down.
@@swampfoxIX Thank you! Things have changed. I remember Heidelberg and the beautiful castle and river running through the city. I have great memories of Germany in the late seventies. Was a magical experience for me with an awesome education outside of books. I would relive those days again and again. As a C-130 crew chief I got fly all over Europe and middle east. Being so young as well I had the energy to absorb everything. :)
I went through marine corps boot camp and seeing how calm and quite their processing is was pretty funny. I remember everything being pure chaos and getting screamed at from the day I stepped off that bus to the day I left the depot.
I look back & laugh now on the first phone call home. I remember my mom trying to have a full scale convo as if I'm spending the night at my cousin's house. I gave the address real fast & she's still "Honey, slow down. I can't understand you. Why are they so loud?" This was long before the days when everyone had a cell phone. Good old memories of boot camp.
I went through Air Force Basic Military Training in 1988. I can't believe how much it's changed since then. The first thing that gets me is the weapons in the dorm. I didn't see a weapon until range day. The drill instructors run each second of each day from a training script. That hasn't changed.
went to bmt 2018, got sent to medhold right after beast for my peanut allergy. i would have loved to graduate with my flight... heck even give it another go but looks like ill never get that waiver haha.
I remember my TAPS class ... MSgt told me civilians are sh*tbags and while they're not, I know what he meant. Attention to detail, structured protocols & chain of command benefits the greater good... an appreciation for the TEAM. There is no individual. I continute to struggle since I've separated.
Omg it’s SGT RICE he used to be my MTI!!! What a great MTI! I remember he would come in our Dorms and start screaming “GOODMORNING TRAINEES!!!” And we would scream back “GOODMORNING SIR!!” Best MTI ever
NGL I love how precise the armed forces are. Exactly where to put every item, every step of every procedure, how to walk, how to talk, how many times to chew your food. I lowkey hate ambiguity in any instruction set. For people in leadership positions, any field, if you must give instructions, give them explicitly. The people under you, especially the most junior, are not mind readers, and you should never expect them to be.
I came in Jan 1975. The TI's were cool, no yelling. Basic pretty much is there weeding out people who don't really want to be there and ones who can't follow orders. My son is a Capt, he's in Kuwait now TDY.
Prior service Air Force and I just sent my son to continue the tradition, he just arrived now. I look forward to seeing my son in 7.5 weeks and also calling him my brother.
@@acfirby MSgt Bell was still an MTI when I went through in 2010. He had been there for 14 years and proudly touted that he had the “highest recycle rate in the Air Force”. That guy was terrifying to everyone.
I respect anyone who joins the military three of my grandfathers served one of them served in the Korean War and he went through so much I can’t even imagine it anyone who decides to join has my respect it is physically mentally and emotionally demanding I want to join I have the passion but I also know I don’t have the guts to serve I know I’m not that strongn
It's amazing how different things are now. I think things are exponentially softer than when I went through the 331st in Dec of 2002 but much more professional/dev based. I like the changes ultimately and I think the Airmen coming out of basic now are much intelligent/capable than we were 20 ago albeit a bit more self-entitled/spoiled and soft.
I was 331 training squadron as well Dec 2002. My mom had sent a priority mail box full of candy on Halloween. I thought I’d be ripped apart. Ssgt Berkner sent me and two others I picked outside to eat as much as we could in 3 minutes. Lol! Last names Kaphingst
Never forget car wash showers that first night we were there. I was so nervous I’d forgotten my toothpaste and ended up brushing my teeth with shampoo. 20 years later I can still taste it.
From the ones that I had to work with, honestly, I'm worried about the future. There are more ways to get out of work than actually working. Every time you turn around, it seems someone has some "appointment" to go to.
It is funny I originally went through Army Boot camp then served in the USCG and then the USAF....I have for years heard that USAF boot camp was summer camp by people in other services.....they all suck and I get it some are harder then others, but in the end there are more similarities between all boot camps then differences
I was is MSGT. Godwins last flight. He was a great instructor but pretty damn intimidating. Was a great role model for a lot of us getting started in our careers!
And the whole thing got seriously weird when covid hit. Bunks spaced out, formation intervals opened up...masks...just made a stressful time even harder. On everybody. My son got through it and tech school was locked down completely. Never saw anything outside the base (Sheppard). Hang tough, trainees...you're entering a very different military and the rules are changing.
I ship out to basic on the 6th and I hope to god the covid protocols have been relaxed. I thank your son for his service and hope for the best from my own service
@@afrochickenboy I know it's too late, but it was mostly phased out durring 2022, only time we wore masks was on busses and in medical buildings and I left july of 2022
Just graduated last week from the 324th trs to be honest, it's not this stressful lol it was really just normal after a week, if you stick out the first two days the rest is just fine
They sure get to keep a lot more stuff then I did in Navy bootcamp. I'd say literally 99% of the stuff I brought with me was in a box and sent home within an hour of getting off of the bus....yes that included the clothes and underwear I had on when I got there. About the only thing I still had was my wallet with drivers license/SS card/debit card and some paperwork.
I believe the reason they let them keep all of that stuff now is so that they have it for technical school, it’s a lot easier just to let them keep on to it in their personal stuff and take it with them to tech school than it is for them to have to go through the hassle of shipping it later
Air Force vet here1989-1993. This bring back so many memories. We had to do bed drills because we didn’t know all the word to the Air Force theme song. We did bed drills until some of us puked (not me!). Had to get in our beds and then run down stairs and line up on our number and then once everyone was lined up, run back up to the third floor and back in bed. Then fall out and line up, back downstairs and on our number. 50 times. Kicked our butts.
Watching this realizing that there are trainees going through zero week while I am here at my cozy dorm at my first duty station is a quite pleasant butterfly in the stomach feeling. Graduated 320 trs June 10, 2021 ))))
@@losga6199 Flight 527 here, we wore masks everywhere, it was hot as hell and humid too so the masks weren't really appreciated. Chow procedures were 2 people to a table, PT was widely spread out, showers for our flight at least because we were a quarantine flight for 2 weeks were limited to one bay at a time. After those 2 weeks we were expected to shower in 15 minutes but our time was reduced to 7 at one point to get back into OCPs. For those weeks were procedures were limited we also had to march in 2 elements, so when they called "forward harch", our 3rd and 4th elements would call "stand fast" and then fall in after the 1st and 2nd.
