Tips and information for surviving before, during and after US Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT)
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Added a page listing some of the jobs and additional duties you’ll have to do at BMT. I think I missed a few though, so if you know of any please let me know.
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Air Force Basic Military Training
This site aims to provide information to people considering joining the United States Air Force and hopes to give them tips on what to expect before during and after Basic Military Training.
My guide on preparing for basic training not sure if any of this will help you but I like your site
How to prepare for Basic training in the Air Force.
The first key factor is start exercising. Most Americans are out of shape so work out has to start early. Aim for making the Run time, pushups, and sit ups passing before you go(you do not want to be the apple in the back of the pack trying to catch up) The goal for Males is 1.5 mile=11:57 min., pushups=45, sit-ups=50. For females it is 1.5mile=13:56 min., Pushups=27, sit-ups=50.(pushups and sit-ups are 1min time limit) Try to exercise with running one day and anaerobic the other days I would go Monday Wednesday and Friday run Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday pushups sit-ups sprints or other anaerobic exercises.
Some Tips for mental preparation is learn to march in step it may sound easy but there is always 1-2 people who can never find the beat if you have to find a dance instructor or music teacher to teach you how to march in step. Don’t worry about marching movements you will learn them and have plenty of time.
“Sir (or Ma’am), Trainee (Your last name) reports as ordered.” let that exact phrase(replacing last name of course) stick in your head. Saying Reporting or orders will get you chewed out. whenever you initiate a new conversation with someone you say “Sir (or Ma’am), Trainee (your Last Name) reports as ordered.” then Sir with what you have to say for example. Sir Trainee Whoever reports as ordered, Sir I enjoyed my meal very much.(do not put a sir at the end or they will call it a Sir Sandwich and yell at you. Oh and one last tip do not leave out the first Sir otherwise you are calling the T.I. A trainee and he won’t appreciate it. If a TI ever calls for you always yell proceeding. If you don’t they may make you do a little dance. assuming the name is whoever the TI will yell Whoever go away come here go away come here go away until you get the hint of proceeding if you don’t he will have another yell fest coming your way.
You can learn ranks it will also help you some in helping you not calling your T.I. by the wrong rank. I posted a link below for learning ranks. Just worry about the air force ranks. Learn the Airman’s Creed I posted a link of a video below. Learn the Air Force Song again I posted a link below. Watch the video on how to make your bed as this will help you when you get to basic. There is a video below. Just a reminder these are all to get you ahead as you don’t want to be the one lagging behind or can’t seem to get it right. Ok so right now you know ranks airman’s creed air force song and how to make your bed. The Air Force has added what happens in basic which wasn’t there when I enlisted and is real good tells you what happens in general each week.
Tips are do not bring electronics you will not be able to use them at all they will be confiscated and locked away. You don’t have to be super plain but don’t wear your pants to your knees or wear anything that makes you stand out as weird. Don’t shave your head bald. Bring enough clothes and sanitation supplies for about 3-4 days. Bring a cheap phone card when you get to go to the BX(a small store that has the essentials) you can get better deals. Avoid Gel anything(shaving cream, deodorant, etc) gel expands slowly so even after you clean it the gel will still seem to ooze. You will have to shave enough to keep the peach fuzz off if you get razor bumps bring an electric razor. Enjoy your sleep you will need it. Drink Water more than what you are used to it will help. Also a lot of people tend to get sick in basic(like first day of school) so learn to love hand sanitizer and take extra vitamin c before you leave might help deter some of that.
Everyone will have a chore that they do here is what I can remember to make people’s lives easier. entering each bay(where the beds are there is a small piece of chrome don’t step on it. try to put all your trash in the bathroom trash cans and never touch the trash cans by the TI’s door. The EC Monitor gets blamed for everyone’s mistakes at EC if you are unsure ask him or he will be doing 20/20/20 for it which is 20 pushups 20 4 count flutter kicks and 20 squat thrust. Also don’t make the EC monitor mad work with him or he may decide to work you every night. In the dayroom pick up trash as you see it and make an effort not to touch the furniture. Try to keep the beds where they are avoid jumping into bed(harder for double bunks). Latrine will probably give you a lot of rules but they have a really hard job. right after people had showers someone left the toilet seat down and when our TI went in there he saw the seat down he called the latrine crew in the latrine yelled at us then he called the whole flight into the latrine and the latrine crew got in the shower room which was still wet and each member of the flight had to salute the toilet and say I will never let you down again while latrine crew did a pushup each time this was said. so keep that toilet seat up at all times and if you see someone make a mistake help them out. If you are alone wipe the sink you use after you use the latrine do not use the chrome shelf and step away when brushing your teeth this will help a lot with mirror and chrome shelf cleaning.
Eating Tips First meal pay close attention to what your TI says hands flat on the tray look straight ahead do not take your hands off of your tray when it isn’t necessary(don’t point at the food). Once you get your food look straight ahead and walk quickly to the chow runner who will tell you where to go do not look at the snake pit as you pass by. The chow runner will till you front or back you go in front of the chow runner or behind him to get to your seat. Set your tray down and they may tell you stay at attention for 3 seconds then sit or they may tell you to stay at attention till the last trainee gets there then they will say “trainees be seated” keep your none eating hand flat on the table at all times except to cut your food . For your first meal get foods that you don’t have to chew much so you get a feel for the time you are given.
Just remember in basic always hurry, but pay attention to details.
Source(s):
Enlisted rank http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/rank5.shtml
Officer Rank http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/rank6.shtml
Airman’s Creed Video (first line is I’m an American Airman) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21FwmFKSHAk
Airman’s Creed wordshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airman’s_Creed
Air Force Song Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC-h72CipUw
Air Force Song Words(only the first verse) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_U.S._Air_Force_(song)
Army how to make a bed(very similar) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbJFNrg2G_4
Air Force Cadets make bed(both sides are inspectable) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DATY5rp6Fyc
Air Force Cadet Tips(you don’t have a lot of time and all the materials.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i70QzkJsWTg
How to roll a T-shirt(roll it tight hers is very loose) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIV1syMxTOU
Basic Training website(has a lot of good videos) http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/enlisted/basic-training/
just saw this video recently and has a decent view of the dorms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QZNtas4l2w