Air Force BMT

[clerick]

Unless something happens i will be shipping out to Lackland AFB on Feb 12th.  I'm not too worried except that I'm Thirty-fricken-two!  When i tell people what's going on the unanimous response is "Oh! They'll make you dorm chief for sure!"  Now, I'm sure that it's not a guarantee, but it got me wondering; how sucky is it to be a dorm chief, and is it really THAT likely?

Any of you AF pro's out there have any thoughts?

[Gunslinger]

Originally posted by clerick
Unless something happens i will be shipping out to Lackland AFB on Feb 12th.  I'm not too worried except that I'm Thirty-fricken-two!  When i tell people what's going on the unanimous response is "Oh! They'll make you dorm chief for sure!"  Now, I'm sure that it's not a guarantee, but it got me wondering; how sucky is it to be a dorm chief, and is it really THAT likely?

Any of you AF pro's out there have any thoughts?

I can tell you for a FACT that age has only a little to do with who my DC is.  I look at the roster and some of the older trainees tend to stand out more.  However, some of my WORST trainees have been above the median age of the flight as a whole.  

I could tell you more but I have to go.  If you see an MTI with "The Terrible" on his hat strap you better give me a reporting statement.

PS your lucky my new flight gets here this week.

[Russian]

Dorm Chief for sure!  

TI usually picks oldest person with reasoning that you have most experience. But if you cannot do proper a job, you will be fired. Which is a no biggie....

Best advice - Do not stand out! Be average. ...


And if you don't mind me asking - why not try to become an officer instead of enlisted?

[clerick]

Originally posted by Gunslinger
I can tell you for a FACT that age has only a little to do with who my DC is.  I look at the roster and some of the older trainees tend to stand out more.  However, some of my WORST trainees have been above the median age of the flight as a whole.  

I could tell you more but I have to go.  If you see an MTI with "The Terrible" on his hat strap you better give me a reporting statement.

PS your lucky my new flight gets here this week.

I can see your point.  I would assume it is because the older guys are either mature enough to "play the game" OR they are too confident and arrogant to take direction from an MTI that is their junior.

And since i don't have the balls to track down an MTI with "The Terrible" on his hat strap to discuss a cartoon airplane game while I'm a trainee (i'm sure you'd appreciate it if i didn't too)...

Sir, trainee Erickson reports as ordered!

Another day and time perhaps, AFTER I'm an official Airman.

PS
If this post has given you any ideas about tracking down a fellow cartoon pilot... I'll buy you a beer after BMT if you can pick me out.  Shouldn't be that hard, you have my name and age.

[clerick]

Originally posted by Russian
Dorm Chief for sure!  

TI usually picks oldest person with reasoning that you have most experience. But if you cannot do proper a job, you will be fired. Which is a no biggie....

Best advice - Do not stand out! Be average. ...


And if you don't mind me asking - why not try to become an officer instead of enlisted?

As for standing out, i'm screwed.  I could show up in blue-jeans and a black t-shirt and STILL be singled out because of my size. I'm oldish, tall and broad, yeah call me Trainee Sore-thumb.

As for going enlisted, mainly because i have a little over a year to go for my bachelors and i am out of money for school.  The Minnesota ANG is going to pay my bill come next year.  Once i have my Four-year degree i'll see if there are any officer slots open in my squadron.

[Russian]

Good luck. Hopefully older flight, who watches over, is not going to give you too much trouble. Some extra sadistic folks from my flight kept scores on how many trainees they can make cry. I, after breaking down older large black guy who was a dorm chief, felt such actions were going over board. They are in the same boat...no need to cause extra stress to an already stressful situation. The guy had kids and wife...bah.....poor guy...seeing him cry there.....and just from verbal abuse....not exactly my proudest moment.  

I went though 324th "Disney Land".,,,apparently it was one of the easiest squadrons.. .....

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by clerick
As for standing out, i'm screwed.  I could show up in blue-jeans and a black t-shirt and STILL be singled out because of my size. I'm oldish, tall and broad, yeah call me Trainee Sore-thumb.

As for going enlisted, mainly because i have a little over a year to go for my bachelors and i am out of money for school.  The Minnesota ANG is going to pay my bill come next year.  Once i have my Four-year degree i'll see if there are any officer slots open in my squadron.

Be sure to ask the training instructor where they keep those beautiful P-38s.


ack-ack

[nirvana]

Take care, I'm leaving for Coast Guard boot tomorrow.  Best of luck to you

[clerick]

Originally posted by nirvana
Take care, I'm leaving for Coast Guard boot tomorrow.  Best of luck to you

You swabbie!

[DiabloTX]

If either of you guys make it to Houston I'll buy you a beer...or two.

And Nirvana, if you find yourself assigned to Galveston, we'll have to visit the "buy-me-drinky" bars there!

[Gunslinger]

Take a roll of quaters $5 and have about $30 in small bills.  1s and 5s.  Don't spend this money on drycleaning or anything, save it for special events like fun runs and warrior challenge.  There's also several details where you get to use the vending machines and we are required to send you with a few bucks.

Cut your hair before hand.  Not shaved to the bone but at least a number 1 guard.  You may hear all the stories about being messed with about that but they aren't true.  You are too busy in zero week to mess with trainees about their hair.  you wont have time in zero week to fix it so best it not be there.

Wear comfortable shoes pants and bring a sweat shirt.  YOu may not get uniforms for 3 days and will be wearing civies until then.

Your recruiter may have givin you a list of things you'll buy when you get here.  Most of them are a good idea.

-soap/shampoo and any other toiletry....get a flat bottle so it doesnt roll around in your drawer
-get a razor that shaves FAST...the mach 5 is good....you won't have much time.
-forget about towels....use the ones you'll be issued, they are easier to fold.
-phone cards are expensive here so go get a cheap one at wallmart.

most of everything else you can get here for cheap so you can pack light.  ONLY BRING ONE BAG!

Learn how to say a reporting statement FAST before you ship.. "Sir, Trainee (last name) REPORTS as ordered"

Its not reporting for orders or reporting as ordered.  

If you do get singled out for the DC job be aggressive and don't be afraid to have initiative.  TIs love it when a DC can do their job for them....I'm not messing with you either, that's how I train mine, command voice and all.

Other than that move fast everywhere you go.  Don't take attitude or argue with the MTIs.  You'll stand out for your age but as I've said, I've had some 30 somethings in flights before and most were total turds.  They washed up in everything else they did in life and ended up in my dorm.  It really is hit or miss what sqaudron you get and how easy/hard it is.  

I will tell you though it is not a walk in the park anymore.  We train hard.....be prepared to feel some pain.

Good luck!

[Gunslinger]

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
Be sure to ask the training instructor where they keep those beautiful P-38s.


ack-ack

There's 2 of them on the parade grounds....no kidding!

[nirvana]

Originally posted by DiabloTX
If either of you guys make it to Houston I'll buy you a beer...or two.

And Nirvana, if you find yourself assigned to Galveston, we'll have to visit the "buy-me-drinky" bars there!

That's a promise.  I'm not a huge fan of the Houston area but I guess it's not all bad, right?

[Russian]

Originally posted by Gunslinger

I will tell you though it is not a walk in the park anymore.

Good luck!

What do you mean by anymore?

[clerick]

Originally posted by Gunslinger
Take a roll of quaters $5 and have about $30 in small bills.  1s and 5s.  Don't spend this money on drycleaning or anything, save it for special events like fun runs and warrior challenge.  There's also several details where you get to use the vending machines and we are required to send you with a few bucks.

Cut your hair before hand.  Not shaved to the bone but at least a number 1 guard.  You may hear all the stories about being messed with about that but they aren't true.  You are too busy in zero week to mess with trainees about their hair.  you wont have time in zero week to fix it so best it not be there.

Wear comfortable shoes pants and bring a sweat shirt.  YOu may not get uniforms for 3 days and will be wearing civies until then.

Your recruiter may have givin you a list of things you'll buy when you get here.  Most of them are a good idea.

-soap/shampoo and any other toiletry....get a flat bottle so it doesnt roll around in your drawer
-get a razor that shaves FAST...the mach 5 is good....you won't have much time.
-forget about towels....use the ones you'll be issued, they are easier to fold.
-phone cards are expensive here so go get a cheap one at wallmart.

most of everything else you can get here for cheap so you can pack light.  ONLY BRING ONE BAG!

Learn how to say a reporting statement FAST before you ship.. "Sir, Trainee (last name) REPORTS as ordered"

Its not reporting for orders or reporting as ordered.  

If you do get singled out for the DC job be aggressive and don't be afraid to have initiative.  TIs love it when a DC can do their job for them....I'm not messing with you either, that's how I train mine, command voice and all.

Other than that move fast everywhere you go.  Don't take attitude or argue with the MTIs.  You'll stand out for your age but as I've said, I've had some 30 somethings in flights before and most were total turds.  They washed up in everything else they did in life and ended up in my dorm.  It really is hit or miss what sqaudron you get and how easy/hard it is.  

I will tell you though it is not a walk in the park anymore.  We train hard.....be prepared to feel some pain.

Good luck!

I appreciate the input.  I'm not TOO worried, just worried enough.

In many ways i hope to get the DC job, not for my ego, but because i don't want some 18 year old punk ruining things for me.

half of my hair has decided to migrate south anyway....  

Oh! Does SSgt Michelle Manhart still instruct there?