I new i was getting drafted in 1958 so I’ve volunteered 45 days ahead of draft and I joined the Air Force. I spent Christmas that year and basic training but for me it was the best thing I could’ve ever did in my life. I didn’t know it then, but I realize it today, I am proud to say I have served and the United States Air Force
At the 9:05 mark, SMgt Barnes was CMSgt Barnes in Sep 1978 of the 3706th during my basic training. He was my squadron's senior enlisted advisor. During the CFC campaign, he told us a story about being a young airman in the 1950s with a family. He did a lot of extra duties because he could not donate to it at $50 a month pay. He was a good, fair, and inspiring man. Thank you, Chief.
Went through BT in August 1979, I was 21 years old. Hot and humid , Cotton OD uniforms and 6 weeks of getting yelled at. I sure wish I could go through that again. But this time in early spring. From there , Off to Sheppard AFB to be trained as a Telephone linesmen/Cable splicer. Then after, To Norton AFB, Calif. I'm now retired Air Force.
june 1963 TIs did a lot of screaming at first after a week we caught on to the deal and it all calmed down. hard to get 60 men to march together but we caught on.
I was an MTI in 74 and the subdued name tapes and tennis shoes were in in 1977. SMsgt Barnes was Training Superintendent of 3706 BMTS in 77 he made Chief in late 77 or 78. Also the Blue Rope or Master MTI was adopted in mid to late 1975. I got mine in 1979.
Still had the old WW2 barracks when I went through BT in early 70s. A few years later new barracks were erected. When to Sheppard AFB, had the same old barracks. Red clay dust was hard to keep area close clear. There were only 2 female squadrons, almost 50 years ago. So glad this female served. E7/MSgt and then was commissioned. 25 years in
I lived in the old barracks in (November-December 1978) instead of the new buildings because I played in the drum and bugle corps through basic. And because our flight was co-ed, they put 25 women in on building and 25 men in another. It was the best 6-week period of my life. The rest of my Air Force time was a huge letdown.
My Dad went to LAckland in July of 1950. They were so overrun with recruits. Dad had been the commander of his high school USMC/ROTC detachment and he could type so the USAF slapped three stripes on him and shipped him off to Korea as a clerk-typist with the Security Police Squadron.
I enlisted 1 November 1950, had one week of indoctrination at Lackland, then six weeks of Basic at Shepherd. Started tech school 1 January 1951, Warren AFB, Got my bat wing around 1 Feb.
Entered basic training 4 Nov ‘75. This does not look like what we went through then. We were not given tennis shoes; everything was done in combat boots. We did not select our clothing but went through a line where we told our size and they threw it at us. I lost 35 lbs in basic so by the end I had to hold my pants up to run. Also, we were the last group to be issued the 1505’s (tan uniform). They told us we could wear them for a year but I was not allowed to wear them at Tech School or at my first permanent station, Yokota Air Base, Japan so I had to buy new uniforms.
I went in May 18, 1978 Flight 3702 (Lead, Follow or get out of the way!), we still ran in Chuck’s boots and got those shin splints 😮, then to Sheppard AFB and then Wiesbaden USAFE! One of the best things I did in my life! Thank you AF!
I was there from 6 Aug to 20 Sep 1971. I don't remember my Squadron or Flight numbers. The Green Monster was still in use when I was there. Only had 4-6 of the new barracks with AC. I was in the much older wooden barracks.
As a retired USAF 81172, I greatly appreciate this type of video. This is not something that we got when I was in from 1969 to 1990. Understanding your heritage is a very important part of training. I also wish we had more voluntary "local customs/heritage" training regarding the various places I served in overseas. I spend the majority of my career overseas, and regret that I did not become more educated/indoctrinated regarding my host country of assignment.
I remember quite well my entry . I still have a heavily gafittized and desecrated flight graduation book. I, and a few others discussed our proposed careers and discussed our plans for the future being mapped out..also our hopes, aspirations of where we and the world were heading just before the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis and the election of President Reagan. I remember the air being sucked out of the classroom in late July 1979 when i predicted a defeat of Carter and the election of Reagan. I stayed for 24 years.
I went through basic at lackland in june july 1970 then off to tech school at Chanute then off to vietnam ,after that came zweibrucken germany 🇩🇪 mt home afb was next left the Airforce a E6 tsgt had to stop at 7 years due to injury from vietnam. No regrets except injury kept me from making a career of it. I made ssgt at 3 years tsgt at 6 years
