USAF BMTS 1980s 

Hahahaha, after all these years, still have one I found in an old wallet pinned on my office wall. Still filled out from basic...

GIVE ME A 341 SON... LMFAOOOOOOO

If you you're asked for the 3rd 341, you were setback. Explain that J. Bowerman

Lmao, those same 341’s

An Airman in our sister flight got a 341 pulled for masturbation! He contended he wasn't loping his mule but I guess the pup tent in his blanket amused the TI. It was hilarious. If then-SSgts Ruiz and Miller are still alive, thanks for the memories.

@terry waller what's a 341

@terry waller soo what is a 341

You shouldn't be shocked that they had 341's back then. You should be shocked that they still use them today.

@@testjackson1732 a discrepancy form. Had your name, and unit on it. Would be filled out and routed through the channels to your 1st shirt or commander. Used in basic training but don't recall if in tech school. I still have one from basic. Went through in 76.

@@danmilosevich they were using them when I went through tech school in 2015, and now as an NCO I am changing jobs and they still use them in Tech School and have the prior service airmen pull them for discrepancies.

There was a TI from another flight they called 682 Jones because he always pulled two.

THM SGR Also, you are a dumb ass Airman... get your head out of your ass...

GGame. When I left for USAF basic training and got there in Nov 1972 - I was a little surprised. I had prepared myself - (physically and mentally) for Marine boot camp in 1972. I decided to join the USAF instead and I was taken aback with the yelling and the stress levels they put on you - I decided then and there that I would have to put more effort in basic training than I thought. It wasn't hard - but the thought of being "set back" in training really concern me - I don't think I ever came close being "set back" - but I was glad when it was over. I did well with PT - 5 minute mile and fortunately good with pushups as well - but the incredible amount of attention to detail was sometimes mind numbing. I thought I was pretty good with attention to detail - but it turn out more of a challenge than what I thought it would be. One of the best decisions I ever made was to join the USAF. But if I had joined the USMC - I think I would have thought the same way. Aim High !

I was there from Nov 7 to Dec 21 1972. 3704 Sqdn Flt 1458.

Mine were chill (1981), but they were a bright bunch. They didn't yell much. When we fucked up they had us dress right and hold our arms until we thought they'd fall off. We'd have preferred an ass chewing!

They weren’t that calm in 1974.

Indeed, after the third week of training I had a breeze, had quite a few of BMT 341 forms pulled from my left pocket for demerits but had more pulled for merits so I never got recycled. And I still have my BMT ribbon, and not everybody has that, or earned it. Still have my original discharge diploma, honorable of course.

LATRON CARTER Until day 29, then they were all cool.

You stole my thunder. The T.I.s in this video are uncharacteristically civil, bordering on cordial. This video is recruitment gold by 80s standards. The phone call home portrayed in this video is laughable. Each airman in our flight got exactly 30 seconds from hello to goodbye, regardless of whether you got past sobbing long enough to say anything intelligible. At 30 seconds on the dot, the T.I. would hit the call release and berate you all the way back to formation. I suppose honesty in a film like this would be a detriment to meeting your goals as a recruiter. I have to hand it to my recruiter, he told me exactly what I was in for and made sure I had a guaranteed job before I shipped out for basic. I remember career day very vividly. If you had a guaranteed job, you had a blue sheet along with the rest of your required paperwork. When we got there, our T.I. segregated us into two groups, those who had guaranteed jobs and those who only had a dream sheet. The ones who didn’t looked puzzled when we were divided up. One guy in particular ended up in the Aerial Port Squadron. He must’ve just passed his ASVAB by the skin of his teeth because his job was Aircraft Sanitation Specialist. He walked out of his time with the career NCO like he was just handed the keys to the city. One of the guys with a blue sheet if the Sgt., who placed him in that career field, went into detail about the job. The airman had no clue what a Aircraft Sanitation Specialist did, so when he started to bullshit his way through the question, a T.I. who walking by said “he’s gonna operate the honey wagon on newly arrived aircraft. Basically, he’d be the guy who drove the truck that’d suck the shit out of chemical toilet. If you don’t know what that means, watch Christmas Vacation and watch what Cousin Eddie is doing on Christmas morning in regard to his Winnebago... yeah, he was gonna be that guy.

@@justincase1445 I don't remember getting any phone call whatsoever. I just remember being yelled at constantly. These guys are playing for the cameras. Also, I only had one 341 pulled by my TI (TSgt Russell) during basic for not having a money list. I told him I didn't have any money. He just chewed my ass and told me to make one anyway. Other than that I followed their simple instructions and did what the hell I was told. Of course, I was 20 at the time. The oldest guy in my Flight believe it or not.....I had other jobs so I guess it made it easier for me to follow orders and simple instructions. I guess that was the whole point.....follow simple instructions to the letter. Easy peasy.

I still have two 341s in the same wallet I purchased at the BX at Lackland while in BMTS. I was in the 3743, Flt. 030. I also still have my Airman's Open Mess club card, my old driver's license and a little card that reads, "THINK (In big bold letters) with Before You Talk beneath it. I had that card in the wallet I had when I got to basic training.....hahaha. Good old TSgt Russell, our TI, like that. Had some friends tell me they search your wallet when you get to basic training so I made damn sure I didn't have a rubber or any bullshit in their. Other guys did and got asses chewed out. Hahaha. Always helps to ask a lot of questions before you take the plunge. Keeps you out of the shit.

@@tonyhelton2788 I came in from NYC with a bunch of others. When the TI's did the initial "shakedown" they confiscated knives, a blackjack, assorted rubbers, photos of GF's in compromising positions etc. Personally, I can't remember my flight # when I first got there (1981) but I do remember when we were getting our "haircut" there were two "mellow looking" TI's in front of the bldg looking for volunteers to play instruments. Now, I was told to never volunteer for ANYTHING, but I'm glad I did. Turned out these two were from the AF Drum & Bugle Corp and I wound up "recruited" and spent my next couple of months in the old MOB dorms, co-ed flight AND getting to go off base at least a dozen times before the regular liberty. Best risk to volunteer for something that I ever took. Wound up winning a bunch of awards etc. Very cool time.

@@tonyhelton2788 My recruiter didn't tell me much about what basic would be like, but he did tell me to keep my mouth shut, and my eyes and ears open. That advice helped a lot. LOL

@@nohandleforme.... I researched for two years before deciding which branch and asked a lot of questions. One person told me to sanitize my wallet.....so I did. I only left my I.D., a few photos and a business card that read "THINK, before you talk!" The T.I., TSgt Russell, really liked that one." So I had a fairly good idea of how easy basic would really be. The worse part was putting up with a lot of cry babies and weasels. Most of which probably didn't last past their initial enlistment if that! I have forgotten most of those weasels, but I can still remember some who didn't have enough sense to learn how to fold their underwear properly. Later on I met some good guys, but several jealous weasel types still slipped in. All in all, it was worth the effort.

And remember if you didn't have a 341, the T.I. would ask you for another one

I went through BMTS during the same period and I agree with you. It was much different than this video. It was difficult for me, but it helped me grow up, and I'm glad for that experience.

Yep, I knew that. Agree with that. Lived through it. VERY sanitized, VERY VERY sanitize and staged! Nothing representing the actual experience at the time. The narration sounds so very familiar. The job selection not even CLOSE to what I remember. And the phone call at 4:10, wow hilarious!

Ditto. I went in for what I thought was 4 years in 1981. Ended up 21 years as a MSgt , retiring in 2002. TIs were not that polite.

Yeah, but I did enjoy recognizing SSgt Pope. Really liked him. He may have been hard at times, and demanded perfection, but I never saw him go abusive or unfair. He and Marlette were NCO’s I wanted to be like someday.

I went through BMT in 1984 and my son went through in 2008!

Thank you for your Comments and your Service. I went through BMT about a year before you did (Aug 1979). I agree with you regarding the sad state of our nation today. I miss the way it was back then too.

zaneyone1 3708 in February 1980! SSGT Ness!

3709 in April 1982. I thought they were psychopaths.

@Mark81150 our 1st Sgt Alva 3704 BMTS April 1980 called everyone a cockbite for 8 weeks and I agee this video was definitely cleaned up for the public

3703 1988

Sq 3701 flt 115. 1986. Yes definitely staged. Lol. My ti tsgt Lopez was a mean son of a gun.

So did I, one of the things I excelled at... besides the "voluntary" KP's...

Yes. That was one of the parts of basic I loved. I also loved going to the firing range.

I was in the 3703 in August 1985 had SSGT Pemberton....

Jerry Thompson 1975 here. I told my grandson just the other day while watching a video that the confidence course was like going to the fair. It was like the playground in elementary school. I cracked up when the TI pulled a 341 in this vid. I know damned well the TI's weren't this easy. They screamed constantly until week 5.

It was only like the fair because you were in good shape, LOL! I was a gymnast so it was a longed-for workout! My mistake was asking if I could do it again. Never EVER EVER attract attention to yourself, no matter how sincere an idiot you are. Am I right?!!??

I was a parallel bars kid, I LOVED over-under!

Still fold my underwear the AF way 40 years later

Still fold mine that way too after 34yrs.

Haha yes. They also would try to impress each other by chewing out some poor bastard airman in the middle of the Chow Hall.

i remember it - they would shout Hey Airman - if it was not directed to you by name don't look (but there was always one who would look lol)

I shot the .22 adapter in 84. I’m just thinking to my self, this is how they are preparing us to fight the Cold War against the Soviet Union? I felt bad for CATM red hats, a lot of hands were raised on the range that day. Hey, good thing was some dude from Chicago shot my target as well as me landing rounds.

@@AMXSShirt Lol. That was my wife to her squadron mate. I just found a diecast model with working parts of the old M-16. I had to buy it. It was no "Gravy Seal" AR-15 with every accessory known to man attached to it.

Thanks for sharing sister.

I took basic training in 1981 in the 3703rd. Flight 228 from Feb 26 through some day in April. TSgt Cruzan and SSgt Garcia were my MTIs.

jdri7934 I remember Cruzan and Garcia. I was in the 03rd with them in 1980 and moved to Academics in early 1981. In fact, I was an Academic instructor in your Zone. I may have taught your flight a class or two. One instructor I'm sure you'd remember if he taught you was a tall skinny SSgt we all called "Captain Qualude". He kept the classroom interesting.

TSgt Cruzan was actually on TDY when we got there so SSgt Garcia trained us the first month. TSgt Cruzan got back and within a few days he recycled five in the flight including me. I was sent back two weeks in training and transferred to the 3743. I liked the Air Force and retired in 2000.

B Dudding, I was in the 06 from 80 to 84. I am sure we crossed paths.

Technical training? I prefer simple work.

Dudes like you who went in the 80’s always tell me I went thru a weaker version of BMT. Sure we didn’t get touched but I found out you guys were able to go to the bowling alley and shit on Sunday’s lmfao. And had a field day????? Yeah dude no shot I ever let someone older tell me they had it harder. Oh yea and yours was only 6 weeks

That was my Dad. He was an MTI at lackland AFB in 87. He's told me some really great stories from that era. I was about 8 years old at the time, but I remember going out to the flight line many times when I was a kid.

40 years ago this November...

I was 3704 Flt 501 May/June 1981. SSGT Jones was our TI.

@@nohandleforme.... I went through right after you graduated - late June to mid Aug 1981, I was in the 3706th with TSgt Minter but I don't remember my Flt#

3704 May - July 1983

Joseph Bradley 3708 Flt 185. 1975

THM SGR I was most likely back there TDY when you were in Basic. Who had a job to work on the base telephone system. Was Sgt Godeki still there?

I arrived in the 3708 BMTS 10-10-86, so left right before Thanksgiving that year for tech school.

Ken Reed 3708, flt 168 Jan. 29, 1986 - Tsgt Harry Colbert.

3708 flight 309, 15nov85

My father served in Clark AFB, Phillipines in 1957, 24 years later I entered service through those same gates, and 10 years ago I started my actual love relationship with the lady that was complaining that she flew 5 thousand miles to see her nephew graduation and was not being able to pass thru the MP's. I still remember a few things, so I directed her to the Base Commander... And she could see the nephew at the parade. From there on it is history still in the making. That much did the Air Force for me, even after 30 years of leaving BMTS and going to Lowry AFB, Denver, CO... In the winter. Dance hall days, the girls, oh those girls knew how to keep you warm and feeling wanted. What memories... I still have pics of when I was departing from Lackland to the airport... Oh, Rikki M. Wright, where are you cute girl? Never forget that day at Arnold Hall, when the PDA rule was in effect but we could have some pleasant moments, every time I saw a tanker fly by I waved at you in case you were manning that refueling station. Remembering is living. I still have the roster list with all the names of the band of brothers, and wow! I forgot, when I arrived in Denver, there was no space in the male barracks so they placed me in the women's barracks for two nights. Airman Bear, I still have a picture of you in your greens. I wouldn't change those days for nothing.

desertengineer1 I can say it is no later than 1985. My recruiter showed this film and a couple of "Air Force Now" films at a dinner for the delayed entry program recruits in Jan/Feb 1986.

My dad was the same squadron, Oct 89. That squadron now exists as the 236th squadron. I was in the 331st last year.

I love that you followed in our fine tradition. In a world, a very dangerous world, where it seems everyone has lost their minds, this piece just bought back to me the honor and pride we as a nation and the USAF shared then. I went on to become Pararescue and attached to Hurlbert AFB, Florida. Desert Shield, Storm and Panama (Just Cause) were times I really learned to love America and appreciate the USAF. We are the best, and you made my day. Honor above self, pain and want. You made my day. Thanks, from a USAF brother.

Darrin Ros I'm at Hurlburt NOW actually, as an engine troop. Although it wasn't tradition for me, I just needed a job.

Well, I got a great nights sleep last night. Because and only because you all are on the job. Russia and China are ready for us. Yemen and North Korea are already preparing for us

Darrin Ros I hope that you as a former airman know that most of the guys at work right now are pulling some shenanigans. I have caught multiple people "on the job" watching dragon ball z and my little pony at this time of night.

Welcome to the Air Force family!! Trust me, it gets a whole lot better. Once thru tech school and finally to you duty station, you’ll love it. I was lucky enough to be stationed at Misawa AB, Japan for 2 yrs before I was honorably discharged due to my spouse being accepted to OCS in another branch of service. If I had to do over, I would’ve stayed in and finished my tour and maybe would’ve stayed in longer. Remember, AIM HIGH!!

Through this video I was able to connect with a guy that was in my flight and bedded down across the bay from me we laugh and joke about some of the experience and things and people we went through basic with,A once in a lifetime experience…1980 Flt484 Sq3708 Sgt Brock

Me too..I recognized a few also

Nice...I to went to Lowry AFB for Munitions back in fall of 85. I had the best view of Denver and the rocky mountains and would sit in my 3rd floor window and listening to Taps and just look out and watch the snow which started in October and didnt stop till spring, lol....I remember thinking the view was worth a million bucks...then i read they had closed the base and now it upper end housing development. The large Hanger with the B-52 is still there and part of the development. Sadly my old barracks were torn down a few years ago...wanted to go back and see em...but now now housing...Lowry was a great base even had a Burger King right across from my barracks and the Airmans Club was across the street....good times.

Country: u.s.: Air Force airman James Hopkins you are the 1 that told my friend and the good looking country: u.s.: Air Force woman airwoman loving, the airwoman that wants to socialize and talk parties, but I cannot defend her in all 666 situations where the klu klux klansboy mr. Dylann roof, wearing a color: white hood over his head to of being scared in 99 ways and trying desperately to hide his face from our eyes. You are right squadron number: 3701 dorm : Air Force : the 7 men country: u.s.: Air Force men training instructors rank: ssgt team chief Morris and woman rank: ssgt whaleshitstein are screaming at us in a very shockingly loud tone of voice 8 hours per a day and 1 hour per a night for 11 hell weeks in a row, like country: u.s.: army man general Patton said “world war Ii is hell!” :, when the German nazi luftwaffe type number: 1 bomber planes in the year: mar 1939 : began to drop many, many bombs on the 22 cities that look like the city: Prague in the country: chekosovakia, to burn the tall buildings down from the top of the buildings to the street level in many gigantic fires to totally destroy by fire 22 cities and their very good looking strip club nightclub adult social life nightclub where the 22 cities that look like “Prague” spent all their money on showing x rated movies that look similar to the very, very, very good movie with the title: “the day of the locusts : starring the very good movie actress big parties Pornstar: ms. Karen black : year: apr 1975” and seemed to believe in “love as adults after the very good high school social life movie with the title: “mean girls : part number: I : I am giving my 200 : 4 year college homework reports on the “fidelity corporation variable yearly apr interest rate annuity money investments” : “the first 33 different types of 4 year annuity money investments” first to the movie actress high school girl “true love in high school years” : that looks like the closest girl clone to: ms. Kee kee Palmer and movie actress : ms. Great granddaughter of: ms. Roshilla dalgedelo and karlene keating : high school sexual intercourse in the back seat of their friends car in high school 10th grade : then try to shut off university men’s bed waiting 6 years to grow up in social life sexual intercourse with university woman student whaleshitstein and university woman student : ms. Great granddaughters of: university women: ms.: Edith launer : 400 tons of fat on her stomach to lure in university man student : mr. great grandson of: mr. Kenneth main : it works 100% of the time every time success : at the city: dunwoody state: Georgia university : I have to go to 3 university classes a day so I do not have time to get into the growing up in social life as at 20 years old, to get into the university bed with university social studies woman ms. Great granddaughter of: university woman student Edith launer : with 160 Tons of fat on her shoulders to lure in university man student: mr. great grandson of: mr. Bruce main, into getting down on his knees and totally begging her 9,999 different times the question: “Would you please beggingly fast with me 7 times in a row.” , and if she is not there then the next movie actress I would be interested to give it to is: ms. Regina George. I will try to work hard and work hard to shut off the 200 : 4 year college homework reports going to movie actress cartoon girl: ms. Alice in wonderland and ms. Alice in wonderland : year: 2004”, and they did not do the “hard work” using 13 years to assemble over 999 antiaircraft machine guns surface to air rockets mortar guns and mobile mortar guns. In the city: Prague and the very good movie with the title: “day of the locusts : year: apr 1975”, I would offer country: u.s.: Air Force the very beautiful officer rank: captain : woman manager of computer programmers : the younger woman in the tribe of: Gwen Stacey : to buy her 3 to 7 plates of veal cutlet and cabbage dinner if she will let me have social life sexual intercourse with her. Then I would try to shut off the offers for 3 to 7 plates of dinner of baked potatoes and carrots to the movie actress: ms. Wicked witch of the direction: west and university woman social studies student the : ms. Great granddaughter of: university woman social studies student ms. Edith launer with over 100 tons of fat on her face and this time “for real”.

👍👍👍👍

Me too. I started with Navy for 8 years, then finished with A.F. Air National Guard to retirement.

3703 Dec 1988. Good times.

BMT in August of 1987, Tsgt Pope was one of two TIs back then! My son who turns 18 next week, he'll be off to Lackland this summer.

@@nurseratched8370 WOW. I just re-watched that part and see SSgt Pope! You never forget that voice!

👍

Sept, 2 1984.

apr 84, 3701 flt 254

Wasn't for the hard cases I was 17 when I went through the squadron in 82

I didn't love BMTS at the time, but I love the memories, and I'm a better man today because of it.

@@nohandleforme.... funny thing when I graduated I didnt want to leave...i had the routine down knew what to expect.

It was. He was one of my TIs in September/ October 1981.

I was in 3701 flight 151 in 1980. That TI at 1:04, 1:34, 2:07, 5:22 and 6:28 is SSgt. Morris. He was a team member with our team leader SSgt. Poullard. I'm certain that's Morris in this film. It makes sense because of what you said about the filming happening in 1982 with 3701 squadron. Morris very possibly would still be in 3701 in 1982.

Any idea who the actor was? Did he ever join the military?

How about "If you got 'em, light 'em up"...

I was there at the same time, but in the 3743rd Sq... It was so hot!! lol

@@scootterpootter I was in 3743rd June 30 83. Must have been one of our sister/brother flights. I was a guide as well :)

BAMA GRAD TSGT Nickelberry was as you described. At first, he was incredibly intimidating. After the first week or so, he let up and we found out he had a heart of gold. He was a great leader!

BAMA GRAD Yeah, he sewed on Master when I was there and became first shirt. The TI who replaced him tried to plant clothing tags on me while we were gone to class and he was inspecting us. I appealed to Nickelberry and he got the jerk TI off my back.

Tim's Tinkering Area 3711 - Preparing the Finest

Tim's Tinkering Area thats correct. it was written on the plague under the jet in front of our dorm. I remember it well since i had to police cig butts from around it and i don't smoke.