Important Things to Remember

This page collects the few things you'll be expected to know cold from your first day at BMT. Most of it is small but easy to forget under pressure: how much water to drink, the form your reporting statement takes, the address your family will mail to, and the Air Force's three Core Values.

Hydration Schedule

You'll be drinking a lot more water than you're used to — South Texas heat plus the pace of training adds up fast. The standing rule is three-quarters to one full water bottle per hour, with a hard ceiling of two bottles per hour and no more than 16 bottles in a day.

The schedule is set this way for a reason: too little leaves you dehydrated, too much can cause water intoxication (hyponatremia). Stick to the limits your MTI sets even if you feel thirsty outside them.

Food Allergies and Dietary Needs

Two questions to be ready to answer when you arrive:

• Do you have any known food allergies?
• Do you have special dietary needs (vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, or other)?

If yes to either, tell your MTI team as soon as possible. They'll coordinate with the dining facility (DFAC) so you have safe options. Don't wait until your first meal — report it during in-processing.

Reporting Statement

When you respond to a permanent-party member or initiate a conversation in BMT, you'll lead with a reporting statement. The format is:

"Sir / Ma'am, Trainee [Last Name] reports as ordered."

You give the reporting statement once at the start of a conversation. One-word responses ("Yes Ma'am," "No Sir,") and brief politeness don't require it.

Verbal Greetings

When passing an officer, enlisted member, or civilian on the street or in a hallway, render a verbal greeting:

"Good morning Sir / Ma'am" — or "Good afternoon Sir / Ma'am."

Use judgment: don't interrupt a conversation already in progress, and skip the greeting if it would create a nuisance (during a formation, mid-processing appointment, etc.).

Your Address at BMT

Your family will mail letters and care packages to your dormitory address during BMT. Your MTI team will give you the exact address — including your specific Training Squadron (TRS), Flight, and Dorm — during your first day. The general format is:

AB [Your Last Name]
[___] TRS / FLT [___] (Dorm [___])
1320 Truemper St Unit 36[___]
JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236-[____]

Memorize it once you have it; you'll use it on every outbound letter and share it with everyone who plans to write you.

You'll also be assigned a roster number during in-processing. It uniquely identifies you within your flight and shows up on graded materials, mail, and many of the forms you fill out. Write it down somewhere safe and memorize it.

A separate item, the sensitive skills briefing, is given during the first week to anyone whose career field involves a security clearance. If this applies to your job, you'll be told.

Squadron CQ Phone Numbers

Each Training Squadron has a Charge of Quarters (CQ) desk with a 24/7 phone line. Family members use the squadron's CQ number to relay urgent messages to you. The numbers below are the ones in active use at JBSA-Lackland.

Area code is 210 (San Antonio). Your specific squadron assignment happens at PRC processing on Day 1.

Core Values

The U.S. Air Force has three Core Values that frame how Airmen are expected to act. Study them, understand them, follow them — and encourage others to do the same.

• Integrity First
• Service Before Self
• Excellence In All We Do

You'll see these reinforced throughout training and your career. They're the standard you'll be measured against.