Unfortunately, it is possible to fail Air Force basic training. In fact, this happens to around 15% of all recruits who join the military every year.
This is because basic training is exhausting and involves hours upon hours of physical conditioning, combat training, and indoctrination into military culture, customs, and everyday procedures.
Basic training is not designed to be easy. If anything, it exists as a means of eliminating those who aren’t ready to join the force.
The most common reason why people fail basic training is that medical issues prevent them from doing so safely. If this situation arises, you’ll be medically separated from the Air Force but depending on how long you serve, you may still be entitled to some veteran benefits.
While Air Force basic training is exciting, demanding, and very rewarding experience, it can still be helpful to prepare yourself in advance. Getting a head start on physical conditioning is among the most important steps you can take to increase your chances of success. Recruits who prepare in advance often exceed standards and receive special awards and recognition.
Can you get kicked out of Air Force basic training?
Yes. Although you’re contractually obligated to complete boot camp, if you prove incompatible, you can receive an administrative dismissal at any point during the basic training process.
As well as dismissal, trainees are also at risk of recycling. This terms refers to recruits being made to go back and repeat a certain section of the training. Sometimes, this can be more sufferable than dismissal; especially if you found the training challenging the first time around.
Recycling isn’t just reserved for disciplinary reasons, as it’s also used for recruits who fail certain aspects of the training. For example, if you fail to qualify with the rifle on the firing range, you may get recycled. Also if you fail the final PT test, you may get recycled.
Some people may also be recycled for medical reasons. For example, if someone misses more than a couple of days of training due to a medical issue, they will likely be recycled as a way of making up for that missed training.
But don’t let this panic you— only a mere 8.2% of all recruits fail to make it through Air Force basic training. Most of these instances are not due to reasons for failing any aspect of the training.
Many are due to medical issues, often pre-existing medical conditions that both the recruit and the Air Force were unaware of. Other possible causes are fraudulent information on enlistment documents or failing the arrival urinalysis due to illegal or prohibited drug use.
Has anyone ever died in Air Force basic training?
Yes, some people have died during Air Force basic training. However (this is a very big however), it’s important to note here that this is only a handful of people, in isolated cases.
Considering that nearly one million people have participated in Air Force basic training since its birth, a few isolated deaths provide a clear indication that the training itself is not causing people to die. Therefore, this is not something you should be concerned about when preparing for Air Force basic training.
Although the individuals who pass away during basic training are young and fit and seemingly healthy, they usually have an underlying health condition that is triggered and aggravated by the vigorous exercise involved.
All recruits must undertake an extensive medical check and fitness test before joining the Air Force, but this can never guarantee that basic training won’t cause the emergence of an underlying condition.
What happens if you get hurt in Air Force basic training?
It all depends on the severity of your injuries which will determine what will happen to you during basic training. If you experience a minor pain/cut/injury you will be treated and return to duty/training.
If you have an injury that prevents you from continued training then you could be recycled to another class after you recover. For example, a badly sprained ankle might get you set back a week or so in training.
Needless to say, if you suffer a major injury, loss of limb, or something similarly serious that permanently prevents you from completing any training then you will be released from your service contract obligation, be medically treated, and return to being a civilian again.
If you were in the last couple of weeks of basic training and have met the standards of all other training, they may still allow you to graduate with your company. In a nutshell, a severe injury greatly increases the chances of you getting recycled, which isn’t great.
Can they hit you during basic training?
Military Training Instructors can not hit you during basic training. The only exception for this is in instances of self-defense or the defense of others. Physical abuse, injuries, and deaths caused by training officials are not tolerated.
If an instructor physically assaults you during training, they will be immediately removed from duty and severely punished for their actions, perhaps even with a loss of pay or rank.
It’s important to note that while it is not at all uncommon for a particularly hostile drill instructor to touch someone aggressively, this is a little different than deliberately “hitting” them. If, however, a drill instructor were even to touch a recruit without their explicit permission, that is a matter which as a minimum will be addressed and noted by the relevant chain of command.
Physical assault by instructors towards recruits is almost unheard of. Firstly, you’ll rarely be alone with one drill sergeant, so they’d be aware that there’d be plenty of eyewitnesses. The idea of angry and violent drill sergeants has become a common hyperbole in pop culture. The reality is far more pleasant.