10 TIMELESS TIPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE U.S. AIR FORCE, BASIC MILITARY TRAINING (BMT)
FIRST, LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR…
…this is NOT a complete guide to U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training, (USAF-BMT) week by week, blow by blow.
What it IS, however, is 10 TIMELESS TIPS you can take on board NOW prior to your upcoming 8 glorious sun-drenched weeks at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Everything i teach you here is basic, always relevant and WILL help you navigate and succeed in the chaos that is BMT.
Let’s also first dispel a huge myth. U.S. Air Force (USAF) BMT is NOT the “cake walk” service members of other branches like to make everyone believe. It’s definitely not 12 weeks Marine Corps “Parris Island” intensity level, but IT IS an arduous 8-week test of mental and physical strength, with the mental part turned up to 10.
The Air Force has always been known as the more “technical” or cerebral of the services, so this shouldn’t be a surprise. And, with the right attitude armed with the 10 tips i will present you here, you will not only succeed, but also understand the daily mayhem you will face under the baking Lackland Air Force Base sun.
TIP# 1. GET TOO MUCH SLEEP
It starts the moment you get off the plane. Once you walk off that gate ramp into the Arrivals section, most likely, someone in a Air Force blues will direct you to a waiting lounge. Here you will gather with other Air Force trainees. A sandwich will be provided.
After what seems like an eternity you will be directed to line up in a loose formation in front of the Airport Terminal.
When we formed up in the summer of 1992, the same Military Training Instructor (MTI) with a dark blue “Smokey The Bear” hat spit forth our first of hundreds of directions.
“Now…” He began, slight pause…Stay still, looking forward, i may be gone for a while or maybe I’m not! If you turn to look, or do anything other than what i request, and i see you, there WILL be hell to pay. Understand?”
After several rounds of weak “Yes Sir’s” and animated corrections he left. Or at least we think he did. We didn’t check
Eventually an Air Force blue school bus pulled to the curb. It had seen better days. And we were ushered on to the bus with gentle shouting persuasion.
WHY THE IMMEDIATE INTENSITY? WE KNOW, YOU ARE TIRED BUT IT’S JUST BEGINNING.
TIP# 2 FOLLOW DIRECTION –TO THE LETTER!
As you sit quietly in the dark, the hum of the bus engine makes you think. You all think. “What the hell have i done?” For 25 minutes, which seems like 2 hours, the luminous car dealerships bathed in light pass by, and you also wonder, “What will it be like when we get there?”
As you pull up to Lackland Air Force Base a Security Forces (SF) member does quick check with driver and you are waived through. It’s about to kick off.
What do i mean kick off? Let me explain.
You will be marched by another MTI across base to your new home for the next 8 weeks. Today, you will be accommodated in the much improved brand new “Disney” dorms. You will form up under an overhang leading to your dormitory door. From there, after sufficient MTI harassment and directions you climb a few flights of stairs single file to your dorm.
Myself and my fellow victims, were filed into a dorm day room – like a classroom – and sat in silence. An ominous looking MTI, feet on desk, Smokey hat thrown a aside, the relaxed look and attitude unnerved us all.
On a wipe-board behind were the words MSGT (Master Sargent) VESSELS. Below was a quote. “Sir Airman —- Reports as ordered.” Little did we know then, that Vessels was our assigned main MTI. We soon found out.
Quiety he spoke. “I’m your MTI Master Sargent Vessels. When you address anyone, before you ever speak to me or any MTI from here on out you first say, “Sir, Airman (your last name) reports as ordered.” Now in unison say it.
We screwed up right away. Vessels exploded into a tirade as if we had just insulted his mother. “NO!!!! YOU SAY REPORT – S, AS OREDER – ED. NOT REPORTING, NOT REPORTED, NOT AS ORDER, OR AS ORDERS… REPORT -SS AS ORDERED-DDD, He hissed. Eventually we got it. lesson learned.
WHY THE SENSELESS NAME EXERCISE? CAN YOU FOLLOW DIRECTIONS, EXACTLY, WHILE UNDER STRESS.
TIP# 3 DO NOT ALLOW THE SHOUTING GET TO YOU
Oh yes, you will be shouted at. Many times. Infraction will be corrected swiftly and directly.
For 5 weeks, during formation marching, MSGT Vessels would select me from the pack, run up into the group, and spit in my ear, “WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION BRAGG??” I wasn’t aware i had a “major” malfunction of any kind, but i chose not to enlighten Vessels at this time.
But i had to answer something, anything. I had a eureka moment the night prior. I was ready.
Vessels in punctual fashion picked me out the next day. “Here he comes” whispered my fellow recruits with stifled chuckles. He bounced his smokey off of my ear and boomed, “WHAT IS YOU MAJOR MALFUNCTION BRAGG?” I felt excitement and my heart pounded, i had an answer…”
I drew myself up and with maximum lung capacity roared back “STUPIDITY SIR!!”
He stared for a moment in surprise, smiled and said, “Good answer Airman Bragg.”
All he was trying to do was challenge me daily, until i used my brain quickly and answered. He didn’t give a damn about the answer, that wasn’t his objective. The moral of this tale?
YOU CAN, AND WILL THINK QUICKLY UNDER DURESS.
TIP# 4 DO NOT RELAX IN THE CHOW HALL, OH, AND AVOID THE SNAKE PIT
You will eat eventually on the first night. It may be midnight, but you will have you first of over 100 meals in the Lackland chow hall.
FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS. You will be hungry every mealtime and the food is good, lots of it, but DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN. This is NOT a High School cafeteria. Smokey’s saturate the area, ensuring your dining experience is everything it can be.
AS i headed to my table, following directions, or so i thought, to the letter, a felt an unmistakable breeze from my right, as my assailant ponced and block my way.
I glanced down at his name tag two inches from my personage. PAXTON.
His black eyes peered into my soul. His cropped tache exuberated perfection. I don’t remember his words exactly, but he made it quite clear that i had NOT followed directions and grabbed a juice instead of water. I do remember the line, “SO WE CAN’T FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AIRMAN? Like that, but said in I’m here to break your soul fashion.
Of course, it was a silly infraction, however, it was prime opportunity for Paxton to nip my lack of attention in the bud. That was his job! He did it well. My fellow Airman and I talked back and forth after lights out. Paxton came up quite often. I remember one tough kid from Brooklyn, his comment, “Do anything but don’t piss off that Paxton muth%r fuc%er. We laughed our asses off. It was true.
And while I’m at it, as you leave the chow hall, look directly ahead, DO NOT LOOK AT THE SNAKE PIT. An area aptly named for the MTI eating area, located strategically by the exit.
MORAL OF THE JUICE INCIDENT? DON’T DROP YOUR GUARD EVER AT BMT. ESPECIALLY NOT IN THE CHOW HALL.
THE MIGHTY TECH SERGEANT PAXTON – NOW FACEBOOK FRIEND AND TIMELESS INSPIRATION
TIP# 5 ENJOY EVERY SLEEP TIME, EVERY NIGHT, ONE NIGHT AT A TIME
Every night you will be exhausted.
Unless you are tasked with Dorm Guard duty (more on that later) this is your daily escape. YOUR TIME.
Do what is needed for next day, write a letter, read letters, joke, unwind. Once lights go out, enjoy bantering, but before sleeping, REMIND YOURSELF WHY YOU ARE THERE AND WHAT YOUR GOALS ARE!
Trick we did? Make bed perfectly, sleep on top of it, use a blanket, when you arise for early physical training (PT) simple flatten and straighten bed out, hospital corners already there, slip a 341 under sheet edge. (AF-Form 341? goggle it…)
BED TIME IS SACRED. USE IT WISELY.
TIP # 6 GET YOUR DORM GUARD FACE ON
What is dorm guard? What do i mean? I explain briefly. You will be tasked to “guard” yours (and at times) another flight’s dormitory. You are there, flashlight in hand, for a shift of a few hours, to monitor dorm for safety and to control the dorm entry point, the main door.
Easy right? Yes and No.
Follow directions BY THE LETTER. I witnessed one poor soul fail miserably. Learn from this victim. You do NOT allow entry to ANYONE without proper Air Force Identification. Let’s call him Airman Victim. At around 3 a.m. a loud banging woke everyone. “LET ME IN AIRMAN…NOW!!!” Victim looked carefully at the ID pressed against the glass. It was a SUBWAY card. SUBWAY as in sandwich shop.
Pretty clear as a non entry, however this holder was a full bird Colonel. His serious demeanor then threats of Leavenworth if the Airman didn’t let him in, eventually crushed Airman Victim’s soul. We heard the door handle click and the Colonel swooped in.
Much verbalizing ensued. Airman victim was relieved of Dorm Guard duty and i believe never made a security mistake ever again in his life.
Sound basic? It is.
NEVER FORGET THAT THE SECURITY OF FELLOW AIRMAN, FACILITIES, AND BELONGINGS IS CRITICAL TO ANY MISSION.
TIP# 7 GET YOUR FITNESS LEVEL ABOVE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS MONTHS BEFORE LACKLAND!
Don’t fall back on the “it will be a breeze” or “I’m already fit, I’ll be fine…”. Sure, the U.S. Marine Corps may make USAF Standards pale in comparison, however, there are standards and you want to blow them away.
You DO NOT want to show up for BMT out of shape. You want to be in excellent physical shape, not only do you not have to worry about passing evaluations, your preparation will stand out.
THE KEY HERE? YOU HAVE ENOUGH TO TACKLE AND WORRY ABOUT AT BMT. DON’T ADD FITNESS ON TOP.
8 STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK HELP OTHERS & DON’T VOLUNTEER FOR ANYTHING
TIP# 8 STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK HELP OTHERS & DON’T VOLUNTEER FOR ANYTHING
While i mentioned fitness preparation will get you noticed, i also advise not to go out of your way to look like Super Airman.
The U.S. military and Air Force are all about teamwork. Ensure you help out other trainees and forget your ego. And don’t volunteer. Just don’t. “Who here likes to bowl?” was our first offering, “Anyone want to volunteer?” You guessed it. Scrub toilet bowls.
Blend in and become great quietly. By all means if you want honor grad, go for it. But keep in mind that comes with more responsibilities, stress, and you MUST be a team leader.
SO, FORGET THE EGO, THE AIR FORCE IS ALL ABOUT TEAM.
TIP# 9 TAKE EVERY “SPARE” MOMENT – READ/STUDY AIRMAN’S GUIDE
I was a college graduate when i enlisted. However, I still needed to memorize vast amounts of valuable info that would be required knowledge come written exam time. You will want to ace the exam, not just pass.
Take every opportunity given to read and memorize you Airman’s Guide! MTI’s will use the information to spot check your knowledge. be ready. No, it’s not rocket science, but don’t assume you don’t have to study.
BIG TAKEAWAY? ITS NOT ALL PHYSICAL – YOU NEED TO HAVE DISCIPLINE TO STUDY AND RETAIN INFORMATION YOU WILL USE YOUR ENTIRE AIR FORCE CAREER
TIP# 10 KEEP IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE
Finally, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture…everything, and i mean everything at BMT is done for a reason. As the weeks pass, you will gel as a sort of family, you might even admire your MTI’s and some will become experts in impersonating said MTI’s. And remember, you are young once, you will hate it at the time, but miss it as you age
BIGGEST TAKEAWAY? NOTHING IS PERSONAL, EVERYTHING IS DONE FOR A REASON. IT IS THEIR JOB TO PREPARE YOU
The military and war in particular, has zero room for error. You question orders, don’t pay attention, don’t function as a team player, can’t act quickly and correctly under maximum amounts of stress, then when deployed in the Air Force you could be a liability.
The military has no room for liabilities. Peoples lives depend upon 100% on your responsibility.
Good Luck, and i implore you, enjoy every minute. Life will pass, and possibly a long Air Force career. It’s a great life, trust me, in my opinion of course, you chose the best branch to serve in.
See you at the next Roll Call.
Shift dismissed.