Going to Basic Military Training

[jumpr]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: roguerower
Now when u get there, they will issue a red card and a butterfly net. The butterfly net is for PT, so become very good at using it. The more butterflies you catch, the less you have to do. The red card is for a time out. When u feel that the di's are being too harsh, just pop this puppy out, put ur thumb in your mouth, and you should be ok for the next hour.

MCRD Parris Island or San Diego FTW!!!! USMC BABY!!! WWOOOOOOOOOOOOO

uhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I hope you were being sarcastic, as the whole "stress card" thing lasted all of about six months.

I believe roguepower is making fun of the AF because he went through Basic in the Marine Corps. 😉

 

[CaptnKirk]

DO YOU MISS YOUR GIRLFRIEND, BOY?

I KNOW YOU MISS YOUR GIRLFRIEND, BOY -
YOU MADE YOUR HAT LOOK JUST LIKE HER ! :shocked:

 

[roguerower]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: roguerower
Now when u get there, they will issue a red card and a butterfly net. The butterfly net is for PT, so become very good at using it. The more butterflies you catch, the less you have to do. The red card is for a time out. When u feel that the di's are being too harsh, just pop this puppy out, put ur thumb in your mouth, and you should be ok for the next hour.

MCRD Parris Island or San Diego FTW!!!! USMC BABY!!! WWOOOOOOOOOOOOO

uhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I hope you were being sarcastic, as the whole "stress card" thing lasted all of about six months.

I believe roguepower is making fun of the AF because he went through Basic in the Marine Corps. 😉

I haven't personally been through, but I have a friend who has and I'm on a Marine Corps ROTC scholarship. OCS in two years, mountain warfare in one.

As for the stress card thing, look at the Army's new training method.

 

[seti920]

Hydrate. You'll understand when you get there. It really DOES make the PC go easier.

If you admit to ever having had a heat problem, you get to wear a btch stripe - a reflective band to be worn on your right upper arm whenever you're in cammies for the first 5 weeks.

I should have lied about that one....grrr.

 

[revnja]

Originally posted by: Aves
Text

That's a decent guide on what to expect.

Thanks for this link, I just read it all the way through as well as the guide to technical training.

USAF DEP here myself, scheduled to ship out April 24!

 

[sonoma1993]

I remember back in basic training, the squadron I was in, 326 bulldogs. Along with all the other squadrons that were on same street at us. At end of the street just on outside of the base, there was a 25 foot mcdonalds sign. Everytime we would go out for pt, it was tortue seeing that sign.

 

[imported_Condor]

It is an opportunity. Make the best of it. If only I could click on redo for that one. I did OK, but could have done so much better.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: sonoma1993
I remember back in basic training, the squadron I was in, 326 bulldogs. Along with all the other squadrons that were on same street at us. At end of the street just on outside of the base, there was a 25 foot mcdonalds sign. Everytime we would go out for pt, it was tortue seeing that sign.

That's just not right.....

They sure know how to screw with you 🙁

 

[seti920]

Sonoma - I'll do you one better.

From the 321st, you can see a tacqueria.

If, for some reason you're exiting a corner bay and falling out on the overhang....you may end up doing PT/having full blues inspection/what have you with that hanging in the background. When I was in, I always wanted to eat there.

The food @ Texas land & Cattle is probably much, much better, though.

 

[seti920]

Oh yeah - your money list.

In BMT, you must keep track of every bill you have, by serial number.

If you have a debit card, you might want to get rid of the few small bills you have once you arrive at your destination airport. You won't have much chance to spend them for the first 2-3 weeks, minimum. I was fortunate enough to have a buddy at home send me 5 $1's once we got to the last few weeks of BMT, and got a few patio breaks.

(Your first soda in a month is better than crack. Trust me on this)

What else....if you're a smoker, start trying to quit. At least reduce the amount you smoke.

If you're a heavy drinker, start weaning down. You don't want DT's in basic.
Also, don't drink heavily the night before you leave. It's bad enough saying goodbye to everyone you know [if you're close]. A hangover and all that goes with it doesn't help.

If you've got some free time between now and your departure, start learning the rank insignia for the Air Force. It's also a good thing to know the other branches, but you won't need that until tech school, at the earliest.

If you have a girlfriend, make sure she understands you're gone for a while, and there isn't wiggle room with this. We had one dope who thought he'd be able to call her whenever he wanted to.

Once you have base liberty, or can get to the library, you will have computer access again. Cyberzone terminals aren't really cheap ($.07 - .11 per minute) but no one really cares there. Depending upon what squadron you get, you may be close to the main BMT shop, or one of the satellite shopettes. If a satellite, so much the better for you, you'll have a decent chance of grabing a computer, and reading the threads here wishing you well.

If it sucks, remember that it ends quickly. If you're having fun, good. Remember who you're there with.

 

[SilentZero]

Not sure about the AF, but the Army's was a good time. The first few weeks can be a shock, but the sooner you realize it is just a big mind game, the sooner you will settle in and it will be a walk in the park.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
Not sure about the AF, but the Army's was a good time. The first few weeks can be a shock, but the sooner you realize it is just a big mind game, the sooner you will settle in and it will be a walk in the park.

More than that, it is a fun walk in the park🙂

 

[zanieladie]

Originally posted by: chowmein
i just enlisted too. i ship out on May 1 to S.A, Texas ... WOOT so pumped

Best wishes to you too! 🙂

 

[nakedfrog]

A lot depends on your DI/TI. I got stuck with latrine queen, but it wasn't bad. We also had time to eat (but maybe I was a fast eater, dunno).
And 17 weeks of training isn't that bad, I was 2E1X1, first three months of Electronics Principles at Lackland, and then six more months of actual satellite/wideband at Fort Gordon, GA.
But be prepared to be questioning WTF you were thinking on your first night there... pretty common. Not sure how much of what I know still applies, since it's been nearly ten years since I went through it. Just try to pay attention, especially when you're learning to march, and try to blend in so you're not a target for anything. If/when you start falling asleep during your dull classroom training bits, try to keep drinking water and that might help you stay awake. You don't want to get caught dozing.

 

[girlpower4ever]

When your in,
stay in for the remainder of your time.
Dont do anything stupid like i did.
I was in the navy and I went awol, ua, missing in singapore for 1 and half years. I came back and got processed out with an other than honorable discharge which totally sucks and ruins your reputation in getting a decent job in society.
If your not ready for basic training, dont go and postpone.
If you have no hopes in suriving your first 4 years, dont go.
if your doing illegal drugs in your civilian life than dont think about joining because drugs can be a resort to get out of the military easily.

Me,
lol,
I was gone in singapore for 500 days and had the best time in my life.
Came back begging them to keep me in, I straightened up but they still wouldnt keep me.
So if your going to join the military, be serious about it and be sure to break up with your girlfriend before you go or you'll be in emotional duress or distress when she cheats on you.