Any advice from Veterans or active military members?

[#BOhioTL]

Growing up among some very established military family members, there was always a desire to go into the US military. Both grandfathers being veterans and members of the United States Air Force, having two uncles one currently in the Air Force and the other in the Navy. Going through high school I wasn't as interested in the military route, but in the last months of my grandfathers life before his passing he really encouraged me to look into going this route. After months of thinking and meetings with recruiters and going through MEPs I've come to my decision. Going to school is big for me and my education is something that I've worked hard on and want to finish out what I started. For this reason I have decided to go into the Air National Guard and after college I will be going active in the United States Air Force, while I am still a student going to classes the guard offers to pay college tuition and is much more helpful with me being a student.

Now I know a lot of you vets and current military members are on a different level as many are not in the guard, but for me this is a way to pay for college and go to school before going active in the Air Force. I made the decision and signed the papers today while classes were canceled, and found that I will leave for basic at the beginning of June down in Texas. Now I do know from my uncle that it is NOT just sign the papers and you're in and it's far from that, and that you need to work hard and prove yourself, and nothing is guaranteed until you graduate and go through tech school, so I want to be sure not to get ahead of myself in any way like some guys I have seen recently. So what I'm asking really is any advice or info I should know before basic? I realize I am no where near your guys level at all and haven't proven anything yet, so if just like so helpful info that could help me as I enlist into the military.

On a cigar note! I just bought a CAO cigar sampler special box from my local cousins cigar shop he works at with all of their top cigars, which are your favorites, I'm enjoying a CAO Brazilian as I write this!

 

[H3rrington]

You need no advice at all really. It's not that bad.
But here's a few small tips


Learn your reporting statement before you go.

Have family write LETTERS. No packages, no FOOD.

Remember, the real Airforce is nothing like basic. And guard is nothing like active. It's 8 weeks. That's it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Latrine queen is not a good detail!

Keys!!! Under your shirt at all times.

KP duty is the shit.

Above all else.

Never ever volunteer or raise your hand for anything

 

[H3rrington]

And please let me know if cell phone Sunday is a thing.... And hurt feeling cards.

Cause if the rumors are true I'm gonna punch a kitten

 

[#BOhioTL]

Thanks man I really appreciate it, and yeah I definitely realize the Guard and active are not the same at all, I looked into both and the only reason I chose to go into the guard at first was due to it offering me more as a student right now

 

[#BOhioTL]

And I will definitely let you know if those are real things! Those sound crazy I'm not sure but my uncle did say that he thinks Basic May be much easier than it used to be

 

[H3rrington]

It's much much easier than it was even five years ago.

 

[Fairway1]

And please let me know if cell phone Sunday is a thing.... And hurt feeling cards.

Cause if the rumors are true I'm gonna punch a kitten

Cell phone Sunday? When I went to basic we got one phone call the entire time, and that was the one when we first got off the bus.

To the OP, pretty much just follow directions, do your best to blend in so you won't be picked on.

 

[H3rrington]

And please let me know if cell phone Sunday is a thing.... And hurt feeling cards.

Cause if the rumors are true I'm gonna punch a kitten

Cell phone Sunday? When I went to basic we got one phone call the entire time, and that was the one when we first got off the bus.

To the OP, pretty much just follow directions, do your best to blend in so you won't be picked on.

Ya that's all we got too. But my niece was posting on Facebook all of navy basic training and I was ranting about it at work and one of my fellow airmen told me that the Airforce does it now too.

 

[MUNKY]

Good luck, your going to love it.

 

[DStan]

Wow my 1 phone call was about 3-4 weeks into basic but some of the new airmen that I have worked with are a new breed super sensitive cannot hold a conversation and if you want an answer to a question better off texting it to them, true story. They do not even fold their shirts now they roll them. Too many hurt feelings guess the old aetc 341 probably had to be changed also to prevent hurt feelings. Can't wait to see how they would perform in combat specialties smh!

 

[DStan]

To the OP which afsc are you trying to get in the guard?

 

[heavyd]

BOhioTL, You have the right attitude. Just do what you're told and pretend like you are eager to do it! . Don't try to be a superstar - Save that for tech school. Basic is just that...basic.

Joining the military was one of the best moves I ever made. You'll probably hate basic training, but you will not regret it. Congrats.

 

[#BOhioTL]

For my AFSC I'm going into the 1A4X1 - Airborne Battle Management Systems

 

[gui_tarzan]

My respect goes out to you, you're doing something I didn't have the guts to do when I was young and couldn't get past the first day now if I tried. :thumbsup:

 

[D Quintero]

1) do outstanding work , document everything, and keep your head down .. 1.1) maintain a professional appearance i.e. immaculate uniforms, fresh haircut... 2 ) be exactly 30mins early for any scheduled meeting. 3) max out out on all pt scores. 4) chest out stomach in when at attention, project your voice , practice your briefs or speech in front of a mirror and give smart, snappy salutes ...youll be airman of the quarter and airman of the year in no time.

 

[NCost]

Had you asked before you signed papers my response would be different...I would have recommended going to a school w/ a ROTC program instead of the Guard...but hindsight is 20/20.

As for basic, don't sweat it...it's the Air Force aka country club. Their basic is the easiest available and it's more about the history of the AF then anything overly physical. I'm not shitting you, I'm serious. As mentioned, no packages...only letters. Other than that, my basic (Army) was 20+ years ago now so things have changed (and gotten easier) since then.

Congrats on deciding to follow family tradition and serving our country. Remember though, you signed to go to war if so called upon....NOT FOR AN EDUCATION. Your duty is first in the eyes of the gov't, your education is a distant second.

 

[NCost]

I've talked to a few guys that went through a few years ago and yes those things are real. Hell they have time out cards in case your DI is stressing you out...WTF?????? My DI beat the shit out of us if we whined.

And please let me know if cell phone Sunday is a thing.... And hurt feeling cards.

Cause if the rumors are true I'm gonna punch a kitten

 

[cgraunke]

I've talked to a few guys that went through a few years ago and yes those things are real. Hell they have time out cards in case your DI is stressing you out...WTF?????? My DI beat the shit out of us if we whined.

And please let me know if cell phone Sunday is a thing.... And hurt feeling cards.

Cause if the rumors are true I'm gonna punch a kitten

I did Army Basic summer of 2000, and it was already a joke then. Way too much worry about "feelings". I was actually disappointed. I was scared to join, expecting something closer to Full Metal Jacket, and waited a couple years. I just kept training until I was in peak physical condition, then joined, and came out of Basic basically out of shape. I don't regret my time in the service, actually miss it quite a bit at times. It's just not like the movies is all. And what was said about Air Force having it easy, it's true. Even right out of Airmen's mouths that I served with in Iraq. They actually had air conditioned trailers plus got a substandard living subsidy while we were out pitching tents in 6" of clay dust.
Also, not only are you a soldier first in the eyes of the government (not a student) but you are a grunt before anything else. No matter what your specialty/advanced training is, if they don't need you for that you can and sometimes will be used however they see fit. Not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind. Make sure you always keep proper perspective, in the military, and in life!

 

[H3rrington]

I had a air conditioned dorm. With no roommate. My own wifi router. And a bathroom within spitting distance. Wouldn't you know? My fellow airmen bitched about not having a window.

But I'm services. We run lodging.

What I'm getting at. Is I recognize we have it better. And I thank the other services as if I've never even served. My in laws are all army and I witness their sacrifice. And it reminds me how good I have it.

And brother, thank you for your service

 

[cgraunke]

And you for yours!
(Didn't mean to come off as hating on the Air Force, just wanted to reinforce that he's going to be fine! &#128521