Anyone here in the Air Force?

[Hail The Brain Slug]

I'm a senior in high school and considering joining the Air Force. I was wondering if anyone here is enlisted and what training was like? How is life on base?

 

[animalia]

go talk to a recruiter

 

[Aimster]

You might go to Iraq or Afghanisstan.

The training is not too difficult *easiest of the branches*. Life on base in the air force is like living in a dorm at a university, but with a set schedule that you cannot bail out on.

 

[chowmein]

BMT will be kinda rough in the beginning, just grind it out. It's most mental stress than anything. You'll be sleep deprived from day one. By week 5 you'll have a firm grasp on how things work there and week 6 will be very rewarding.

Tech School, depending on your job will vary from bases to bases. A large majority will go to Sheppard AFB in TX. I went to Keesler MS for Electronic Principals and my actual training took place in TX. You'll slowly gain your freedom and will learn a lot about the military.

I'm currently in Hurlburt Field FL. I'm enjoying every minute of it, the town is great and my shop is great.

I suggest you look into a ROTC program to become an officer first.

 

[keird]

Their Combat Control Teams and Pararescue Jumpers are bad ass. I'm in the Army but worked in a Security Forces squadron for a couple of years under them. Their training for security is much like the Army's in that field, but I can't speak for their other tech schools. As far as life on base, their dorms are far and above the other services. More like hotels. You won't see that until you're done with your training, I suspect, though.

Just as in every institution, there are studs and duds everywhere. It's not about which branch can do the most for you, but what you make out of your experience and opportunities. Taking advantage of opportunities is key. If you're in a job that permits a fairly constant schedule, take college classes (at no cost to you) after your duty day. Seek additional training. Don't get too wrapped up in the party atmosphere - it's the same pitfalls as college and you'll find tons of excuses why not to take courses on top of your duties and other responsibilities. No leader worth his salt will intentionally be an impediment to your growth. Like life, it's really what you make of it.

I don't mean to sound preachy, but I've been in for a while and have seen otherwise good troops fall in the wrong crowd.

 

[animalia]

Originally posted by: keird
Their Combat Control Teams and Pararescue Jumpers are bad ass. I'm in the Army but worked in a Security Forces squadron for a couple of years under them. Their training for security is much like the Army's in that field, but I can't speak for their other tech schools. As far as life on base, their dorms are far and above the other services. More like hotels. You won't see that until you're done with your training, I suspect, though.

Just as in every institution, there are studs and duds everywhere. It's not about which branch can do the most for you, but what you make out of your experience and opportunities. Taking advantage of opportunities is key. If you're in a job that permits a fairly constant schedule, take college classes (at no cost to you) after your duty day. Seek additional training. Don't get too wrapped up in the party atmosphere - it's the same pitfalls as college and you'll find tons of excuses why not to take courses on top of your duties and other responsibilities. No leader worth his salt will intentionally be an impediment to your growth. Like life, it's really what you make of it.

I don't mean to sound preachy, but I've been in for a while and have seen otherwise good troops fall in the wrong crowd.

my emt-b teacher was a pararescue. I think there are only like 300 of them at a time.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: Aimster
You might go to Iraq or Afghanisstan.

The training is not too difficult *easiest of the branches*. Life on base in the air force is like living in a dorm at a university, but with a set schedule that you cannot bail out on.

generalize much? that's like saying "if you join the army you're gonna die"

i have friends in the Army who have been through all their training, and family no less... and the worst they have been at is at bases overseas but in non-combat bases (germany, bosnia (i think))... and as far as Air Force goes.. i don't personally known one person overseas in combat.

 

[Aimster]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Aimster
You might go to Iraq or Afghanisstan.

The training is not too difficult *easiest of the branches*. Life on base in the air force is like living in a dorm at a university, but with a set schedule that you cannot bail out on.

generalize much? that's like saying "if you join the army you're gonna die"

i have friends in the Army who have been through all their training, and family no less... and the worst they have been at is at bases overseas but in non-combat bases (germany, bosnia (i think))... and as far as Air Force goes.. i don't personally known one person overseas in combat.

I said there is a possibility and you pull that line with me?

 

[chowmein]

We put eyes on target and blow it to hell. I think that constitutes as combat. We have EOD out there on convoys everyday. Also what do you think TacP and combat controllers do?

I've also got buddies (barely 1 month out of tech school) whom are aerial gunners, that saw action in Afghanistan.

 

[Cadop]

I'm not in the Air Force, yet, but I'm in the process of getting all my paperwork done. I have yet to take the ASVAB but I took a practice one in the recruiters office. I got an 87, and he said the practice test is harder than the real one so you are supposed to add 10 points onto that score. That pretty much gives me the option of any AFSC I want if it is available.

 

[imported_Devine]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Aimster
You might go to Iraq or Afghanisstan.

The training is not too difficult *easiest of the branches*. Life on base in the air force is like living in a dorm at a university, but with a set schedule that you cannot bail out on.

generalize much? that's like saying "if you join the army you're gonna die"

i have friends in the Army who have been through all their training, and family no less... and the worst they have been at is at bases overseas but in non-combat bases (germany, bosnia (i think))... and as far as Air Force goes.. i don't personally known one person overseas in combat.

Well I dont think you know very many AF people. Im in the AF and Im in Iraq right now, this is my 2nd time going and I've only been in the AF for 2 1/2 yrs. I know plenty of people that have gone to Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

[kevnich2]

Yeah, you must not know too many people. My brother's entire unit was sent to Iraq, then Afghanistan and a few other places. I don't know all of the details but everything he told me was combat related.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I was training on the other side of the highway - bump for you though

 

[shortylickens]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: Aimster
You might go to Iraq or Afghanisstan.
The training is not too difficult *easiest of the branches*. Life on base in the air force is like living in a dorm at a university, but with a set schedule that you cannot bail out on.

generalize much? that's like saying "if you join the army you're gonna die"
i have friends in the Army who have been through all their training, and family no less... and the worst they have been at is at bases overseas but in non-combat bases (germany, bosnia (i think))... and as far as Air Force goes.. i don't personally known one person overseas in combat.

Uhhh, he apparently doesnt generalize at all.
And I suspect the reason you dont know anybody who personally went over is you arent in any branch and dont keep up with any of your friends.
Both the Navy and Air Force have been sending TONS of people over to help supplement the normal ground forces.
My last year in the Navy (got out recently) we saw half our command get basic infantry training and ship over for 6-12 month deployments.

On a completely unrelated note, yes I think you bastards have it too easy, but it dont mean I doesnt love yous.

 

[nakedfrog]

It all depends on what field you're going into and what base you get assigned to... and your squadron commander. I was 2E1X1, satellite/wideband communications. I had 3 months of Electronics Principles training at Lackland AFB, then 6 months of satcom training at Fort Gordon, GA (an Army base). Lots and lots of people washed out of that training due to failing tests.

 

[Malak]

Boot Camp consists of folding underwear and shining boots. I'd suggest you make sure you can do at least 40 pushups straight, because after the first coupld days you'll be doing this spontaneously a lot. The guys/gals in charge are called TI's, training instructors. They are not allowed to swear anymore, but they may on occassion because you just piss them off that much.

DO NOT bring an electric shaver thinking you will get away with it. DO NOT do drugs thinking you can pass the screen. When you report to your TI, you will say "Recruit <last name> reports as ordered". When he/she asks a question, you respond with YES SIR. That first one will sound glorious, but after that it'll be routine.

The food actually is pretty good, but eat it fast. Don't worry if you don't know who runs this country, because you'll be studying that plenty every day till you take a test on it. There is no idle time, if you don't have a set task you are shining your boots or studying. 6 weeks isn't a lot of time to cram training in.

Just remember than some of these TI's hate you because they got assigned to the job for their attitude. They don't give a crap about you. But some do, so hope you get lucky and get the good ones. When they are yelling at you, it's not to intimidate you. It's to make sure everyone hears him, so he's perfectly clear about why you just screwed up.

If you try to be the best, make damn sure you are. Once you stick your neck out, the TI will test you. If you pull through, then you are in good standing. If not, he will disgustingly throw you back to the dogs. After 4 days I was the only leader that hadn't been switched out already.

The only thing they will really test you on is how tidy your locker is and how perfect your bed is made. Become an expert on these things, because it's really the biggest challenge there. If you don't fold your underwear into a tiny 3 inch square they will make you do it again... and again... and again. They will toss your locker.

 

[d3n]

I think BMT sucked because it was a very dull period of my life. Get used to standing/sitting in line. I see the purpose but I think that was the big kick in the pants for me. I dove into my training. Took enough classes on the side that my degree was finished. Volunteered for some deployments. I would still be in the military If I had not met my wife and started a family. She was non military.











I threw myself into it and overall I think I had an mentality that was conducive to enlisting.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: Aimster
You might go to Iraq or Afghanisstan.

The training is not too difficult *easiest of the branches*. Life on base in the air force is like living in a dorm at a university, but with a set schedule that you cannot bail out on.

Going to either place with the Air Force is generally fun, unless you're doing something like EOD (Explosives Ordnance Disposal) or Pararescueman where you could have a good chance of having bullets flying at you or bombs detonating a little too closely. USAF folks don't go "outside the wire" too much, and it's nice to be doing a real job with meaning rather than sitting in a CONUS location acting like you're doing something.

 

[Sinsear]

When I was in Iraq I saw a whole bunch of AF personnel all over the place. I even saw em doing convoy security for large (80-100) vehicle convoys. That puts em right in the thick of it. So they go just like everyone else, though their tours tend to be shorter.

 

[chowmein]

Originally posted by: Malak
Boot Camp consists of folding underwear and shining boots. I'd suggest you make sure you can do at least 40 pushups straight, because after the first coupld days you'll be doing this spontaneously a lot. The guys/gals in charge are called TI's, training instructors. They are not allowed to swear anymore, but they may on occassion because you just piss them off that much.

DO NOT bring an electric shaver thinking you will get away with it. DO NOT do drugs thinking you can pass the screen. When you report to your TI, you will say "Recruit <last name> reports as ordered". When he/she asks a question, you respond with YES SIR. That first one will sound glorious, but after that it'll be routine.

The food actually is pretty good, but eat it fast. Don't worry if you don't know who runs this country, because you'll be studying that plenty every day till you take a test on it. There is no idle time, if you don't have a set task you are shining your boots or studying. 6 weeks isn't a lot of time to cram training in.

Just remember than some of these TI's hate you because they got assigned to the job for their attitude. They don't give a crap about you. But some do, so hope you get lucky and get the good ones. When they are yelling at you, it's not to intimidate you. It's to make sure everyone hears him, so he's perfectly clear about why you just screwed up.

If you try to be the best, make damn sure you are. Once you stick your neck out, the TI will test you. If you pull through, then you are in good standing. If not, he will disgustingly throw you back to the dogs. After 4 days I was the only leader that hadn't been switched out already.

The only thing they will really test you on is how tidy your locker is and how perfect your bed is made. Become an expert on these things, because it's really the biggest challenge there. If you don't fold your underwear into a tiny 3 inch square they will make you do it again... and again... and again. They will toss your locker.

you must have been in a long time ago.

- they allow electric shavers for ppl who get razor burns
- it's "Sir, Trainee <last name> reports as ordered."
- chow time might be fast at first, but it's all in your head. you actually get like 15 mins. the first few days will feel like 10 seconds.
- TIs don't hate you, despite what they put off. they are there to weed out the weak ones and ensure good airman are trained properly. they aren't assigned, they request for special duty assignments to reach E-7 MSgt, another special duty assignment would be like a recruiter for the AF.
- you don't want to stick out at all. very rarely do trainees go through BMT whom are exceptional. my roommate was a top grad only because he literally top everyone else in every criteria, PT scores, EOC scores, marksmanship, element leadership, locker inspections, and military bearing. even he was put in the gutter b/c it's never going to be good enough, one team one fight.
- and the only thing they actually test you on, is how well you deal with it mentally. everything comes natural due to the training. but if you crack, it don't mean squat. you will get your locker tossed regardless, it's part of the mind games.

i know all this b/c i still have TI contacts in Lackland.

 

[daytrader7]

I just got back from Iraq last week. The USAF is a sweet deal IMHO. It depends on you as a person and how your perspective is about military service. You will hear ALOT of bullshit that is and isn't true. Research the facts to the best of your ability and make a decision. Then don't ever regret it. Also the viewpoint of someone who has been in 2 years and someone who has been around the block a few times are almost always gonna differ.