Any good "Basic Training" Stories? I'm in the Air Force and love it!?
490547
I have one. I was in Basic Training and we were qualifying with the grenades. We had one trainee that came in as an E-4. She had to be nearly 34 at the time. SHe was always messing up and causing us to get dropped or smoked. Anyway when we were in formation or running. SHe would have to run around the entire formation the entire time. SO when we were at the bunker qualifying. You know you are suppose to count to one thousand and four before you throw the grenade in the bunker. We used semi live grenades. She counted to one thousand two. She threw the grenade, hit the side of the bunker, hit the drill serg. boots (which were Kiwi shined) and it blew the top of his jump boots up. It was sort of flapping. He was dancing like riverdance. On our way back to the barracks, I was calling cadence and everytime that I saw that boot flapping I would cry laughing, and the whole platoon would follow suit. We had to get dropped five times before we made it back. Up to today. I am not longer active duty, I laugh when I think of it.
675147
I was on Camp Foster down the road from there Jan 2004-5.  Us Marines were jelous of the Air Force base.  They had better on base houseing.  (real houses, not the apartment towers) You didn't have to clear the table at the chow hall, you had a better PX or BX what ever the AF calls it.  Plus you had Chilis.  The only non-fast food American chain around.  Lucky.  It was nice.
438496
I joined the AF right after the start of Desert Storm. I din't join because of the war that's just when I went in and I loved it. Spent 7 yrs in before I was diagnoised with type 1 diabetes. I think it's a great chance for one to grow without just being dumped on your own right after high school. MOST AF people are behind the scenes We didn't go on on the front lines. Not to mention the AF treats their people really well. IF you do join, just remember boot camp is a mind game, the real AF is not like what you will endure in Boot camp. I say DO IT!!
176175
Yeah, went into basic in 1993, went to Lowry AFB, Co, for tech school, then went to Keesler AFB, Ms.  It was a blast!  Just wish I had stayed in.
971742
thanks i am pretty awesome.\n\n\nseriously though  thanks to all who have served and are serving for our freedom. (to say the air force is a bunch of chumps), haaaaaaaaaaa.
137960
Go talk to the local Air Force recruiter. I'm sure they have several to hand out
717761
I was in the Air National Guard and I loved it.  I was also in the Air Force Reserve for a couple of years and didn't like it nearly as much.  My Guard unit was really close-knit and fun, we were like one big family.  We always did well on our inspections because we were such a cohesive unit.  For the people that were surprised the Guard would be activated overseas, I was told by my recruiter in the beginning that the Guard/Air Guard were usually the first to go because of greater mobility.  My unit was activated during Desert Storm, and I certainly wasn't surprised.  When people ask why you joined, just tell them with pride that it's something you love doing for yourself and for your country...and they should thank you for doing it, too.  It always blows my mind when people talk so harshly against military service while they enjoy the comforts of living in this country, and aren't willing to make any sacrifices for it themselves.  If you're not willing to serve in the military yourself, at least have some common sense and decency and don't patronize those of us who do.
861053
Not in the AF, but am in the Navy for the past 10 years. \n\nThe pros of joining the Air Force is that, you have a really easy and laid back job. Won't lie to you. The basic training (know known as BLT Basic Leadership training) for air force enlistment is also SOOOO very easy. You have to run 2 miles to pass and in order to join. How difficult is that? as in any branch of the military, you can enjoy traveling the world on the miltary expense, and you can meet new and interesting people. People who will become apart of your family, and when in times of need they'll always be there for you. There is no such thing as an enemy in the military, you may not like someone, but they'll always be on your back for your well being. Also you don't have to worry about housing, insurance or any of that, its all covered for, if you decide to buy a house, the AF will finance your house, and you also get very decent rates. I just bought a house with about 5.87% interest rates, when the average rate right now is over six. There are perks, like being able to go to theme parks for free, or very discounted prices. \n\nThe con's of being in any service branch is being away from your intermediate families for lengths of time. Thats about it, and well, working 8-5. sometimes training goes a little over, but i'm sure you'll be able to do it. \n\nTake the ASVAB test, to see what you score, you'll have a lot more options then. \n\nIf you have any questions please feel free to email me. \n\nI'm not a recruiter for the USAF, but I can help you with anything general.
526743
It is an interesting experience. My husband and I have been together for only 3 years and we are on our second deployment. He is currently serving in Iraq. Be proud because your husband is doing something truly great. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk.
741106
Deployed OEF-7 Afghanistan. Thanx a lot. Everyone stateside please eat a wonderful dinner, burp eat dessert, burp watch football, burp make a turkey sandwich, and have a beer for me. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. And if you get up early enough watch the parade. If you have never been deployed you will probably never understand what you take for granted. I know I didn't. Happy Holidays.
1050803
While in San Antonio on an Army Field Training Exercise,I got chased by MP's (military police) while attempting to sabotage a unit's military communications tent...my buddy and I did NOT get caught...guess those good ol' basic training survival skills came in pretty handy.
811891
lol....what is it that you wanna know..I"m not a recruiter but I'm in the Air Force...
883230
Pack light, be the first to get up and the first to get down, stay awake, learn order of rank and insignia asap (NCO's don't like to be called sir as they "work for a living"), eat fast, pay attention to details, only speak when spoken to and speak loudly, bring locks w/ keys (it's easy to forget your combo when your getting yelled at)....as I was informed at basic...only the USMC calls it boot camp....crawl under your rack to tighten up your sheets and dust cover, use foot powder, YOU DON'T HAVE TIME FOR CHICKS....I mean females.... AND THEY JUST GET YOU INTO TROUBLE....go to church even if you don't normally go (it's a nice break from the usual day)....the floor stripper cleans spray paint off the floor esp if there is already a thick coat of wax on the floor, drink lots of water, shallow breaths in the gas chamber, keep your weapon cleaned and oiled (don't forget to wipe off the buffer spring), they give you 2 pairs of boots make sure they are comfortable or it will tear up your feet, don't look around, take notes...it'll help keep you awake.....limit your caffine intake now
460359
Apparently its great...my friend whom I work with recommends it to any one...a little more laid back than the army...very good discipline..my friend is very head strong and well spoken a good role model for the rest of us.  She is over flowing in confidence. From her stories I regret not taking the option up myself!!! If only we could go back in time.
89527
Air Farce has better training opportunities, but if you're hard-headed and need a kick in the butt to get motivated you need the Marines. I'm Navy, wish I were AF.
1125960
Hi there, as a former AF type of 8 years I think I can answer this pretty easily. We'll take the questions in order.\n\nBasic training length? With travelling, waiting for the class to arrive or the like, you can expect the time of going to the MEPS station and completing AF Basic to be approximately 2 months long.\n\nWill you be able to spend time with him after that? That all depends on you, him, and the training school he gets arranged to go to after Basic. You can go and see him graduate from Basic, and spend the day with him, but that would be about it for being in Texas. Typically, to assure a smooth transition, new airmen get travel orders directly from Basic to their tech school. This tech school can be another 2 months long if it's small, or as long as mine, of a year and change for cryptolinguist studies. You can figure on an average of 3-6 months for tech school though.\n\nSpending time apart? It happens. I was in the military for 8 years, and of that I spent about 3 and a half years of that overseas. Typically, unless you're deployed to a war zone like the Middle East is right now, an overseas deployment is no more than 1 year long in duration. Either way, the biggest thing that both you and he need to realize here is this... once he signs on the dotted line his life is leased out to Unka Sam.. he goes where they say, when they say it, and for how long they want him to be there. Maybe half that time it will be for stuff that you're not allowed to go, or that if you chose to go the finances for it would be strictly on the two of you. Speaking as someone that faced that, trust me, unless one of you has some excessive funds stored up already, trailing after him is a very tiring and expensive endeavor. I'm not saying it can't be done, it's just difficult for young people to accomplish according to the AF's rules.\n\nWould it be easier to be married before-hand? Yes and no. You would have legal right to be with him in locations that allow family members to be with their spouse. However as an E1-E2 airman, he would be at the bottom of the list for getting on-base housing. You can get a housing allowance to live off base, but depending on what state you're in, it rarely will cover what you need. When I lived off base in California I had to come up with about 55% of my housing costs out of my own pocket, which hurt the finances, a lot. So, if you truly wanted to be there with him and have legal right to get covered in the housing clause and such, getting married before-hand can allow for such. However...I don't know any personal background here.. but time has proven in the past that giving time for him to accustom himself to AF life first is best if you want him to get all that he can out of the career choice. You can't be with him during Basic. You can't be with him during tech school. Usually leave is granted after the tech school and he reports to his first duty station, and if the hunger and desire to be wed is even stronger then than it is now... that has been the best time for friends I have known to actually get married. So many that did the deed before they went into Basic came out from the schools... different... and so much time apart.. it was awkward.. and ended badly. Like I said though. I don't know your circumstances... but if it was me.. I'd wait.. it's the smarter route to go in today's tumultous times.\n\nWould he have to live on base? As a young airman? yes. He could only live off-base with special permission, or if there was NO available dorms on the base that he'll be stationed at. As a single airman, it takes 2+ years before you have enough time to get the permission. As a married couple you are placed on a shorter list if no on-base housing is available.. but still... it takes time. My friend in NJ had his wife living 35 minutes away in a crummy apartment for nearly 3 years before they could get the permission for him to be allowed to
878449
I was in the Air Force so you know what I'm going to pick!! And I spent six months for training on a Navy base and it was horrible!!  The Air Force seems to treat you better and the food was definitely better!