If you’ve made the decision to join the Air Force you’ll definitely be aware of how much you have to learn in a very short and intense period of time.
Adapting to military life, the drill, the food, the schedule as well as all the new information and skills to learn can make even the most confident recruit feel overwhelmed and nervous about their chance of completing training.
All of this, combined with meeting a lot of new people and being physically tested over a long period makes preparation an important tool for any serious recruit.
There are a few things you can do to prepare for basic training that will help ease the burden of this transition to military life, as well as take some of the mental and physical strain out of this adjustment.
One of the first things we recommend doing is actually taking the time to learn how military time works and to become accustomed to using it. Being confident using it will massively reduce the stress you feel upon arrival when instructors and staff are immediately bellowing references to 24-hour time.
It may seem difficult to understand at first and can be weird to use, but after a little consistent usage, it will become second nature to you. This will help you to stay organized and follow the instructions you’re given without the stress of worrying about being on time or spending too much time working out how long you have to complete a particular task.
Time management in training is one of the most important skills to master, and staying in control of it will make things much easier for you.
Another thing that will help reduce the strain of basic training is to learn the Air Force rank structure. Trying to learn this while under pressure and being yelled at is one of the most intimidating aspects of early basic training, and there are a surprising number of ranks to learn.
Getting ahead on how ranks work and how to refer to them will really help you to reduce the chance of making mistakes, and free up space in your mind to focus on the other more important parts of your training.
Understanding some other things too such as the phonetic alphabet, Air Force core values and even the Air Force creed and song can help free up space in your mind and help give you confidence before you arrive for basic training.
Preparing and learning these things in the comfort of your own home makes things far easier to learn, and will help you to blend in as someone competent at basic. The less time you spend trying to learn these basic things, the more time you have to concentrate on the actual skills you’ll be learning.
Getting a good level of fitness before you attend basic training will also make your life a lot easier, and prevent you from washing out of injuring yourself. Running 2-4 miles at least 3 to 5 times a week will help get you into the sort of shape you’ll need to get through basic training.
Push-ups and sit-ups are also very important to master, and getting some basic body strength along with cardiovascular fitness will generally make your time in training an awful lot easier.
Preparing for this will mean you spend as little time getting yelled at as possible, and reduce the chance of making mistakes. With that being said, no recruit will ever get through basic training without making a mistake or two.
That’s the nature of training. Whether you mess up your reporting statement or anything else, being prepared to make mistakes and deal with the consequences is as important to prepare for as anything else. Be humble, listen and you will go far.
What do you eat in Air Force basic training?
The majority of recruits going through basic military training (BMT) will lose weight. This is the reality of spending hours on your feet, conducting drill, running, and studying. This is the reality of such an intense training program, and this weight loss happens despite a fairly comprehensive meal schedule.
The Air Force has actually worked hard to improve the quality of their food in general and during basic training. There are breakfast meals, lunch, and dinner and there is a good selection of options in a cafeteria-style format typical of most military messes.
Some things to keep in mind is that while the food may be fairly varied and designed to stop you from losing too much weight, mealtimes can still be a stressful environment at BMT and you will be watched closely, particularly at the beginning.
Military training instructors (MTIs) will be patrolling to ensure your uniform is correct and you will not be permitted to rise from your table until you drink 3 full glasses of fluid, whether it be water, juice, or anything else. This can be difficult to get used to but is designed to prevent dehydration and injury. Another thing to keep in mind is that you won’t have very much time to eat, so if you’re not a fast eater, you will definitely need to work on that.
What is a typical day like in Air Force basic training?
BMT is structured so that each week of the training course is focussed on a particular part of the training process.
The first week is for processing, the second for forming a ‘flight’ or unit and beginning the process of training in earnest, along with the issuing of weapons. This weekly structure builds all the way up until graduation.
When recruits graduate BMT they will then progress onto the technical training they have chosen and placed in the appropriate squadrons.
However, an average day can be summarised as follows;
- 0445 - Reveille - Morning wake-up call.
- 0500 - Prepare for physical training.
- 0500-0600 - Physical training.
- 0600-0615 - 15 minute breakfast period.
- 0630-0745 - Preparation and tidying of dorms.
- 0800-1130 - Classes and drill period.
- 1130-1230 - Lunch
- 1300-1700- Classes or drills.
- 1700-1800 - Dinner
- 1900 - Dorm setup and personal administrative time
- 2100 - Lights out, typically announced with ‘taps’.
How long is Air Force basic training?
Air Force basic training lasts for 9 weeks, beginning at week zero and continuing through to week 8 when graduation occurs.
Each week of training is designed to build upon the last and will transform recruits from civilians into airmen ready to serve the Air Force, physically prepared as well as educated on the principles and doctrines of the Air Force.
Where do you go after Air Force basic training?
After graduating from BMT you will begin your transition into technical training and will be preparing to specialize in the particular area you have chosen.
The technical training you begin and the specialism you choose will be guided by your time at BMT and will rely on the counseling you received at BMT as well as your assessments and the progress you have made.
You will then be organized into the squadron appropriate to this specialism and will begin your training for the specific role you will be assigned in the Air Force.