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Well hes gone

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2kflhr

He s in AF Tech. School now

Posted: Dec 12th 2009, 10:44 PM

He left out on my birthday (Tuesday, 1-Dec-09), he called home about 1am that Thursday to give us his address no time for chait chat just gave us the address and had to get off (we were aware it would be this way). We sent him a letter or two but so far no replies. I understand it may be several weeks before he can write home and will surely be glad to hear from him. I wanted him to sign up for 4 yrs. and stick his foot in the pool to test the water before her jumped in but was dead set on going in for 6 yrs.I hope he doesn't regret it.

His girlfriend left out before him and graduated BT the Friday of the week he arrived in San Antonio. She is now at Keesler AFB training to be a air traffic controller. I'm anxious to learn what he is going to do. His first choice was jet engine maintenance and the following choices were avionics.

Seems Mom is taking him being gone more than I.

Joined:
Location:

Dec 31st 08
NC US

c_jackson

Posted: Dec 13th 2009, 06:47 AM

My prayers are with them both. May God bring them home safe!

Joined:
Location:

Oct 21st 07
MS US

Splat

Posted: Dec 13th 2009, 09:11 AM

6 years goes by fast. Faster than you want it to go.

Joined:
Location:

Mar 12th 09
TN US

suncat05

Posted: Dec 13th 2009, 11:41 AM

God bless both of you, and God bless those kids too.

They'll be okay. Have pride in the fact that they've both chosen to serve their country, and had the ability to make that choice of their own free will.

Joined:
Location:

Sep 20th 09
FL US

xamraci

Posted: Dec 13th 2009, 03:55 PM

I will be there in a months time. From the TIs and Officers I know at Lackland...your boy is in good hands.

Thank the young airmen for us all when he gets a chance to say hello, be it over the phone or in a letter.

Joined:
Location:

Mar 10th 09
AL US

Recoil

Posted: Dec 22nd 2009, 10:47 AM

Ah, he's loving life. Here's a typical day of Air Force Basic Training:

0800 - Reveille (that's wake up to all you guys) Have to be out of the dormitory by 0840 to facilitate the maids coming in to clean up and make racks, do laundry, etc.

0845 - Straggle off to the chow hall for breakfast (Straggle means "not in formation")

1000-1050: Combat Nap Training aka: Siesta. (Got to sleep off those Belgian Waffles.)

1100-1200: Basic Military Instruction - This includes: How to get the best deals at the BX. How to fill out a travel claim. How to find the best golf courses on military bases. How to avoid armed conflict. Attend "Are you a pacifist?" lecture. Prepare graduation thesis on "Why I joined the Air Force".

1230-1330 : Chow Hall...ala carte special

1400: Muster at Base Golf Course (Muster basically means form up for roll call)

14:08 - Tee off

1745- Muster at 19th Hole for barley pops.

1800 - Chow Hall...surf and turf every day!

1900- Movie night at Recreation Hall. Free phone calls. Free Internet. 45 minute time limit on each form of media strictly enforced. Violators will be made to do manual labor.

2200- Taps, Taps...lights out at the Dorm. However, the base club is rocking, but you have to be in the dorm by 0200!

Joined:
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Dec 27th 07
AL US

Splat

Posted: Dec 22nd 2009, 09:28 PM

Yea, it's just like that Recoil

Army Basic Goes like this

0300 Reveille- you wake up 1 hour before you go to bed you go to the toilet where the DI shows you how to pee and shows you pictures to explain. You rush back and look at the pictures to tell the difference between cocks and socks

0430 PT- You run 37 miles while the DIs run behind you whipping you with a cat of nine tails

0630 Chow - You eat what left overs the Air Force sent over from the enlisted mess. You follow the pictures on the wall that show you how to use a Knife and fork

0620 Chow is over 10 minutes before you started, you go out to the compound and salute and paint rocks

0800-1700 you march out to the road and lick the pavement clean with your tongues while the DIs beat you with cat of nine tails some more.

1700 chow

1650 chow over, you march to an auditorium where you look at more pictures to explain what a weapon looks like

1800 Uniform inspection and hauling of 75 Lb blocks of ice up 10 flights of stairs to the officers mess.

2000 forced night road march in full gear while DIs beat you with a cat or nine tails 20 miles up hill in snow 5 feet deep.

0400 road march over

They make you do this for 10 weeks so you have 2 weeks more to bitch about the fact that you wished you joined the Air Force.

Joined:
Location:

Mar 12th 09
TN US

Hermosa Beach Guy

Posted: Dec 22nd 2009, 10:14 PM

And, in the Army, if you're really lucky, you get OSUT.....

One
Station
Unit
Training

That means your boot camp, and AIT happen at the same place, with the same DI's.

Essentially, what that means is that your "Boot camp experience" lasts 16-20 weeks.

If you did boot camp OSUT 22 years ago at Ft. Benning, you might even know a lovely place called "Harmony Church".....

I certainly wouldn't have it any other way. I'd be embarrassed to be a "Sand Hilton Puke".

Joined:
Location:

Feb 13th 09
CA US

Recoil

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009, 08:52 AM

Splat, were you an officer?

Joined:
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Dec 27th 07
AL US

Room 055

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009, 06:54 PM

Recoil,

I don't remember it being that hard??

The only thing I remember is this: It takes a college degree to break 'em and a high school diploma to fix 'em. [reference to aircraft] I never regurgitated that in mixed company. Morning PT was more of a way to facilitate the morning movement. Double-ply was nice and made for a happy morning. I remember the 'Conscientious Objector' lecture. I fell asleep. My golf handicap improved by 18 strokes, but I got carpel tunnel. Drill was akin to something out of 'Stripes'. The BX accepted American Express, which was a big relief. Other than that, the food was outstanding, especially while being based at Lowry AFB where the enlisted AIT encompassed the cookies.

Joined:
Location:

Jan 8th 09
VA US

xamraci

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009, 10:38 PM

All you guys talking trash about AF basic...

geeeeeez

Joined:
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Mar 10th 09
AL US

Room 055

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009, 10:45 PM

XAM,

You are going to have fun, and then you are going to be able to talk trash all you want!

Joined:
Location:

Jan 8th 09
VA US

2kflhr

Posted: Dec 25th 2009, 12:49 AM

Only got to talk several minutes tonight for him to obtain our DL numbers and birthdates. He did have time enough to say he learned right off that you can't talk trash about any of the TI's in your first letter. And, that you will be punished if anyone innocently sends you candy. I hope he gets to call back tomorrow so we can actually have a conversation. Mom and I've been ecstatic since he called.

His GF is home for the Holiday's from Keesler AFB, she's coming to visit Saturday. His buddy, the one that signed up with him went in 2 weeks later (15Dec09) and they are in the same dorm I believe he said.

Joined:
Location:

Dec 31st 08
NC US

Splat

Posted: Dec 25th 2009, 11:29 PM

When I was in AF basic (Jul-Sep 1984) My grandmother thought it would be cute to send me a hometown newspaper. My TI acted pissed off because he had to bring the paper up every day. He made me write a report every time a paper showed up on the top stories, I then had to present the report to the flight. While I presented the report he would chastise me the whole time.

They don't necessarily punish you for doing something wrong as much as punishing you for sticking out, you became a target. Basic training is hazing. It is meant to instill in you military bearing. It also teaches you a tremendous tolerance. Tolerance of environment and tolerance in taking what people say to you with a grain of salt.

One of the many things I learned from basic as I bet many of those who served did is this, The only thing you own is your thoughts and your dreams, everything else can be taken from you.

The most important thing you can do for someone going thru basic is just send them a short letter letting them know that you are thinking about them and that you care. Thats it. Care packages are important later if he deploys. It gives one strength to know that he is not alone. Frequent letters about what you did that day no matter how boring it may sound are priceless to the young troop.

Blending in and being a part of the team is the key to an easier basic training. Being different or expressing individuality is frowned upon and punished. It is good to ac-cell but you need to do so as a group.

When you write him, thank him from me for his service.

Joined:
Location:

Mar 12th 09
TN US

2kflhr

Posted: Dec 27th 2009, 11:47 AM

Splat,

You are dead on spot with your words.

"They don't necessarily punish you for doing something wrong as much as punishing you for sticking out, you became a target. Basic training is hazing. It is meant to instill in you military bearing. It also teaches you a tremendous tolerance. Tolerance of environment and tolerance in taking what people say to you with a grain of salt."

Just before leaving out his recruiter told him and the other two that left with him just that they do not want to stand out, fly low under the radar. The TI's have a job to do and are looking for targets, don't make yourself one.

"One of the many things I learned from basic as I bet many of those who served did is this, The only thing you own is your thoughts and your dreams, everything else can be taken from you."

I'll quote you on this in my next letter if it's OK, it's great advice

"The most important thing you can do for someone going thru basic is just send them a short letter letting them know that you are thinking about them and that you care. Thats it. Care packages are important later if he deploys. It gives one strength to know that he is not alone. Frequent letters about what you did that day no matter how boring it may sound are priceless to the young troop."

He told us he had gotten all of our letters and to keep them coming, it makes his day to hear from home. His first letter was never sent as he made an unfavorable comment about one of the TI's in it. He said he got a good scolding for it. Luckily he wasn't one of the several others that did the same thing as they were recycled.

"Blending in and being a part of the team is the key to an easier basic training. Being different or expressing individuality is frowned upon and punished. It is good to ac-cell but you need to do so as a group."

He said his flight had problems as they can't seem to work together as a team. I've always coached him on teamwork and how important it is. Maybe some of it will rub off on the others as well.

Joining the military was a great desire of his and I'm sure he's giving 100% . He was raised to respect others, their opinions and their property.

I'll thank him for you!

Joined:
Location:

Dec 31st 08
NC US

Recoil

Posted: Dec 29th 2009, 11:25 PM

2K,

Don't take my previous post personally, I was just BSing!

Splat,

We were in basic training at the same time. I was in Basic from August - October 1984. Pretty cool!

Joined:
Location:

Dec 27th 07
AL US

c_jackson

Posted: Dec 30th 2009, 03:42 AM

Wait a second, Navy! You left out the tanning bed/HSN hour!

Joined:
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Oct 21st 07
MS US

2kflhr

Posted: Dec 31st 2009, 07:36 PM

Recoil, Not a problem. He's always been a night owl. Now he's living the life as I have for many years.... Up at 4:30 and in the bed around 10ish or earlier.

Joined:
Location:

Dec 31st 08
NC US

xamraci

Posted: Jan 5th 2010, 12:34 AM

ahhhhh

I leave in 2 weeks

HOpe your boy is doing well 2k

Joined:
Location:

Mar 10th 09
AL US

c_jackson

Posted: Jan 9th 2010, 03:56 AM

Wish you the best Raci!

You know, it's not too late to come over to the dark side. There IS an advantage to being one of the few and proud.

Joined:
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Oct 21st 07
MS US

xamraci

Posted: Jan 9th 2010, 12:09 PM

A big advantage actually...they will give me an officers commission. haha

Joined:
Location:

Mar 10th 09
AL US

Recoil

Posted: Jan 10th 2010, 12:06 PM

0200,

I wasn't going to give you shit about it, but I'm going to do it anyhow. Why on earth would you "enlist" into the military (any branch)? You have a degree = more money, better lifestyle and besides, the military is made for officers, not enlisted men.

Joined:
Location:

Dec 27th 07
AL US

xamraci

Posted: Jan 10th 2010, 02:39 PM

haha.

USAF reserves and nat Guard will not allow anyone to go to OTS w/o enlisting first. Unless you have been to Basic training. Army wouldnt guarantee me a job, neither would USMC. These are reserve and guard units. Navy and Air Force full active wouldnt give me a commission. Not the "DEGREE" they desired.

I take the AF officers test the monday before I enter Tech school. With my education, the already pending recomendation of my commander at Duke Field, and the job I chose...i should be at OTS by mid year 2011.

Joined:
Location:

Mar 10th 09
AL US

Recoil

Posted: Jan 10th 2010, 07:06 PM

WTF is the Navy and Air Force coming too? What do you mean "Not the "DEGREE" they desired"? I personally know Navy officers who are flying jets, helos and other types of not so glorious fixed wing aircraft who majored in all kinds of silly shit. One guy majored in "corn" at Auburn. I'm joking, but it may as well be corn, agricultural science! I know a couple of Naval pilots who had a frickin' BS in psychology. Psychology for crying out loud. It's not like you can do anything with that degree (BS) ...most jobs in that field require a Masters at a minimum and most a PhD! I think those partucular recruiters had their "quota" and were shoveling horseshit. What a crock!

And as far as the Army goes, those guys allow high school grads to fly their multi-million dollar tip of the spear attack helo's. They guise it under the CWO program. The Navy doesn't do that, neither the USMC. I'm positive the Air Force doesn't either. Hell, go that route!

I don't know, just sounds like you're getting pissed on so you'll be a peon. However, if what you say is true about OCS/OTS, good on ya. I wish you the best man, I really do.

Joined:
Location:

Dec 27th 07
AL US

Room 055

Posted: Jan 10th 2010, 10:03 PM

The AF wants a technical degree before they let you enter UPT (undergrad pilot training). ie. comp sci, mathematics, physics, engineering, etc... It's bullshit to say the least. I can't speak for the Navy or Corps. Army Aviation is getting more difficult these days as well. The WOS used let in high school diplomas. Now, you have to have at least some college, and more and more, a degree to be competitive. Again, it's a measuring stick, all be it misguided in my mind. I'm no brainiac, and I fly aircraft. It's a trade craft, not a Mensa puzzle.

Joined:
Location:

Jan 8th 09
VA US

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