A few questions for the prior enlisted

[Hootie9750]

I've been in my local f16 unit for about 4 months now and I will be leaving for basic next month and then crew chief tech school after that.

Q1. While I'm at tech school , in my dorm are things like an acoustic guitar allowed? If they are will I be allowed to have internet access so I could buy a cheapie of of Ebay so I don't have to ship down my nice one? This is my main concern because I hear tech school is deadly boring.

Q2. Once I am done, if I happen to be vacationing near an AF base would I be allowed on base to play a round of golf or do some flying in whatever they have for a club plane?


Q3. Any last advice on making basic and tech school easier on yourself. I have already gotten some good advice from some of the other crew chiefs like : skip ice cream and milk, only grab a fork , spray deoderent, etc.
anything good to add to that list?


Thanks

 

[Weasel Keeper]

Check out the AF forums at http://www.military.com/ .

They have seperate forums for things like BMT where you can talk to actual recruiters and folks who have been there or just got out of training.

I'm not sure about things like internet in tech school since it hadn't even been invented yet when I went through Crew Dawg training (86). I wouldn't see why you couldn't have a guitar...I bought a boom box at the BX so I could have music at Sheppard. I think they frowned on TVs at the time though. Might look to the BX to see if they have cheaper guitars...tax free shopping is pretty cool.

Once you have your ID you can get on any (US) military base in the world. After BMT and Tech I believe BX and commisary priveleges are only while you are on active duty (duty weekends, summer camp, or if you're activated). The ANG should give you a punch card though for I believe 12 trips for shopping on base. I wouldn't see why renting acft or hitting the links would be a problem.

I don't know why you should skip ice cream in basic...this was one of the little pleasures you'll be allowed as long as you eat fast enough to get some.

As far as tech school being boring, make of it what you want. You'll definately be making some long lasting friends and have time to hang out, party, or head to DFW or Wichita Falls for a weekend when your training phase says you can leave on the weekends. I think phase 2 you can go off base but have a curfew, and phase 3 (final phase) you can stay off base all weekend. The cool thing about making fast friends is that most of the folks down there are also (assuming you are) on their first time away from home, and are going through the same things you might be...lots in common.

My tip for BMT: Listen very carefully to your TI and try not to stand out too much. The more your TI knows you either in a good light or bad, you'll be a target for him to make or prove points and if you goof up you'll be doing lots of pushups.

Good luck, and after it's done it really is pretty fun.


AD USAF F-4G Wild Weasel Keeper 86-90
IN ANG F-4E Phantom Phixer 90-92
IN ANG F-16 Falcon Fixer 92-94

 

[Slim]

On-base shopping:

1. Unlimited while you are on active duty.

2. When not on active duty, your unit will issue you a card good for 24 commissary visits throughout the calendar year. BX visits are unlimited.

3. Use shampoo for all washing. If bar soap is required for display in your locker, use it once, then leave it there for the duration of BT. You are required to wash daily. There is no requirement to use bar soap. You'll understand this when you get there...remember clean, dry and serviceable!

 

[LJDRVR]

Q1: You'll go straight from Lackland to technical school, negating any descision making as to whether or not you should bring your guitar. Having one in your dorm room should be perfectly allowable, probably after phase 1. The dorms are a safe place, I see no reason you shouldn't have yours shipped to you. By the way, most training bases have instruments at the rec center, you could go play that one.

Q2 Yes you can golf, visit, shop etc. Bases with an Aero Club will allow you to fly their aircraft. You will have to fill out a fair amount of paperwork and go through a checkout first. Honestly, its quite a bit of hassle just to go flying once. If you're TDY however, and will have th opportunity to do some training or multiple solo flights, then this would be an excellent opportunity for you.

Q3 Here's the secret to graduating from BMT: Do everything you MTI tells you to, exactly the way he or she demonstrates it, as quickly as possible. I'm not joking, re-read that first sentence. Beyond that here are some suggestions: Don't volunteer for anything. You will encounter "barracks lawyers", misguided dorks who think they have it all figured out. "Our TI can't do this to us, it's against the Geneva Convention!" "I'm going to call my congressman!" Avoid these miscreants at all times. put as much physical space between you and them as possible. Some of your new peers will tell you that it's "all a big a head game man" Let me assure you, the MTI's you'll have take their jobs VERY seriously. They will not be fooled by you trying to lie, play head games, curry favor, slack off, etc. Again re-read my first sentence at the top of this paragraph.

BMT is actually a lot of fun. It just won't seem like it when you're there. You'll make new friends, and see things that will put a smile on your face years later when recalled. Work hard.

PS. Who says tech school is boring? you'll be cooped up with members of the opposite sex who've been deprived of physical contact for at LEAST six weeks, and you're all 18, 19 years old! What's not to like?

 

[Weasel Keeper]

Heh, we had a guy in my BMT flight who's dad was a congressman. This spoiled kid kept threatening our TI that what he was doing was "illegal" or whatever and was going to tell his daddy. TI put much more pressure on this kid and he finally broke. He passed out during dorm guard while the TI was yelling at him and was sent home for good.

 

[learjetguy]

BMT

You have probably already been told this by guys in your shop at base but in case they havent mentioned it, you would be wise to remember these words... "Sir! Airman(insert last name) REPORTS as ordered!". Ahhhh...what great memories.

Learguy

 

[CrewDawg]

Training

things may have changed but i went through jan 02 but here is what i remember.

the big bummer.....pretty much no flying while at shepppard....at least while i was there......but when u get to luke.....ask around about the F-16 sim.....while i was the me and my friend got to fly the sim (head-head) talk about some fun.

Q1. the first 30 days at sheppard u cant leave base and have to stay in bdu's all the time.......for next 15 days u only wear bdu's to school, u can go off base but have to wear your blue's only on the weekends and after that if u make to phase 3 (you'll learn about later) u can leave base in civillian clothes with no curfew.

u can have some of that stuff as long as its locked up....u can get the internet at the mini-bx...


Q2. ya u can even stay on the base hotel (usually pretty cheap) if they have one

Q3. pack light for basic.....yes my TI would only allow us to get a fork....


well thats all i have for now...let me know if u need anymore info......by the way what unit u with....