As you start out in technical training and continue on to your first duty assignment, never forget you only get one chance to make a good first impression.
Technical Training Transition Program
Once you enter technical school, you will be placed into a program that gradually allows you more freedoms and privileges.
The Transition Program allows you to transition from the strict supervisory controls of Basic Military Training (BMT) into more freedoms and personal responsibility.
Do not abuse these freedoms by failing to live up to your responsibilities as an Airman. Maintain the standards you were taught in BMT throughout your AF career.
Discipline Problems
The main areas Airmen tend to have problems with are inappropriate relationships in the dormitory, drug and alcohol abuse, financial irresponsibility and poor Risk Management (RM).
Inappropriate relationships with fellow students are not allowed. Relationships with Technical Training Instructors, BMT Instructors or any permanent party personnel must not exceed professional boundaries.
Underage drinking, driving under the influence (DUI), drugs and dormitory parties are strictly prohibited. The temptation to drink underage or make poor, career-ending decisions concerning drugs will be a great temptation for some of you.
You need to realize that you are not in a fraternity or sorority and are no longer in high school. There are serious consequences for such behavior in the military. Do not cave to the temptation to do something you know is wrong.
Most of the Airmen caught doing drugs or engaging in illegal use of alcohol made the mistake of thinking they would not be caught. They say to themselves “I’ll just do it once and I am safe because there are no other military people around.”
There are numerous avenues to catch an offender and eventually the system will catch up with those who violate the rules. Ask yourself, “Is one night of fun worth destroying your career and having a federal conviction follow you for the rest of your life?”
Personal Finances
One of the biggest traps to avoid and perhaps the easiest to fall into is financial irresponsibility (e.g., not living within your means, running up large credit card bills or misusing the government travel charge card).
Many of you entered the service out of high school and do not have a credit history. You must be careful as you may be the target of merchants offering easy credit and extended borrowing limits.
Practice self-control when it comes to using credit cards or other forms of indebtedness. Use them only for emergencies.
If you are unsure of how much you can obligate out of your paycheck and still have enough money to make ends meet, make an appointment with a financial counselor at the Military and Family Readiness Centers (M&FRC).
Risk Management (RM)
Many of the AF deaths and off-duty accidents involve Airmen in Technical Training. Remember to analyze the risk and make sound decisions. Excessive speed kills, as well as over-extended driving times; remember -- no one is invincible.
Positive Attitude
Keep the sense of pride and determination to succeed you learned during BMT with you throughout your military career. Do not leave these expectations behind on the bus ride to technical school.
A positive attitude affects your health, goals and how you deal with successes and failures. You are the only owner of your attitude and only you can control it. The greatest power a person possesses is the power to choose.
Choose to make your attitude and character work for you, not against you.