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#1
Volunteer_Kirby

Volunteer_Kirby

Its not what you think...
Joined
Oct 10, 2006
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#1
In a few months I'll be enlisted in AF, though not officially until I pass the medical exams/physical. After that I'll be in boot camp for 6 weeks. I believe October 1st is when the change is made, so if I'm not in by then boot camp hops from 6 weeks to 8. So if you have gone through the process/boot camp, feel free to throw advice my way, as I'll probably be needing it. TIA.



























:acute:
 
#3
#3
I went through Navy boot in '97.

Pay attention, serious attention to detail.

Don't sweat the recruit rumors.

Do what you're told when you're told. I wouldn't argue with anyone, even with another recruit. In the end, it's just not worth it.

Keep your military bearing.

I did 10 years, separating on March 30th last year. I spent the last 3 years as an instructor for the technical school. I mostly dealt with sailors just out of boot...and most of my friends were the recruit company commanders.

Good luck, and thank you for choosing to serve.
 
#4
#4
Kirby, That is awesome, truly admirable and greatly appreciated. Good luck and yes, please stay under the radar (and do NOT share your thoughts on politics :salute:) Just teasin ya...
 
#5
#5
Kirby, i hate to be cynical, but between what today just happens to be and the smiley thing all the way at the bottom of your post, I have my doubts.

However, those willing to serve and protect my freedom have my ultimate respect. so here's to you and all the rest of our servicemen and women on this board. Thanks.
 
#6
#6
Good luck and I wish you much success.

Although you might want to keep the "Bush and Cheney were responsible for 9-11" stuff to yourself.

as far as advice goes, find out what the physical fitness standards are and make sure you can at least meet them before stepping foot into the reception station in San Antonio.

I don't know what it is like today, but when I went through Basic for the Army, one of the primary purposes of Basic training was to weed out the "weak". Understand that going in and tell yourself that no matter what, you're not going to quit.

Maybe it is different now, I've heard disturbing things about "stress cards" and other methods to force the Drill Sergeants to back off if you feel you're being worked too hard.
 
#8
#8
VK I take my hat off to you man. I must agree with MG about Bush(I know the love you have for him:p). You have really surprised me bro. Thank you for keeping me and my family safe. Thank you.......:hi:
 
#9
#9
I've been in the Marines for 6 years now and let me tell you that you choose the right branch.

The chair force is like a boyscout summer camp. Do what your told and try not to stand out and you'll be fine.

Don't let any mind games get you down and don't take it personally because it's not it's just a proccess to build your confidence
 
#11
#11
ConMan said:
I've been in the Marines for 6 years now and let me tell you that you choose the right branch.

The chair force is like a boyscout summer camp. Do what your told and try not to stand out and you'll be fine.

Don't let any mind games get you down and don't take it personally because it's not it's just a proccess to build your confidence
Click to expand...

Agreed on the choice of branch, if i had to do it again i would have gone in the AF, same pay and benefits, better living conditions and a more relaxed pace. That and not being in the field 4 months a year.

As a few guys have said above, basic is pretty easy, so long as you take it as the game it is. Even if all your stuff is perfect, they're going to find some reason to holler at you, if you recognize that fact it's pretty easy on the mind.

Do what you're told, give a solid effort, and take as much as you possibly can from it.
 
#12
#12
Thanks for all the kind words. As for the smiley, I figured if anyone on here knew my stance on 911, they would take it as an April Fool's joke. I can assure you it is not, though. Once I pass the medical exams/physical, everything will be set. I've already taken my practice ASVAB and it was a breeze. My score (75-ish) was not too bad for someone who hasn't done school work in 6 months. If all goes well, I should be going into Intel (N1,4,5,6). But then I could still be doing something different, since I need pick two other possible jobs. Yes, I am fully aware of what needs to be kept to myself. MG1968, what disturbing things did you hear about the stress cards/drill sergeants? Also, a plus for me is that my brother is stationed at the same place basic training will take place. Another plus is that he's thinking about switching to an instructor soon, so there is a chance he could be mine as well. :happy:
 
#14
#14
Good luck, VK. This speaks to the diversity of the type of men and women serving our country.
 
#15
#15
My brother is in the AF now as a firefighter. When he went through basic he told me they had him feeling like he was a complete failure, and could do nothing right. He was told more than one time he was the worst recruit in the class. With about a week left he told me their attitudes toward him changed. He learned soon thereafter that he would be finishing in the top three in his class. Lesson here is that even though he was performing better than the average guy they were not about to let him know it. He was actually thinking about giving up once or twice. The last week he told me the instructors treated him with nothing but respect, because they knew he was going to be a good airman. Don't take it personally and remember that all the criticism has a purpose.
 
#17
#17
VK congrats on your decision to serve our country. i went into the Air Force in 96 and basic training was a breeze. some helpful hints: recruiters can and will lie to you. you dont pick your job. the AF puts you in a job where they need to fill a spot. i wanted to be an air traffic controller. they stuck me climbing through fuel tanks on jets as an aircraft mechanic(which happened to be my worst score on the ASVAB). if you can, try to get a guaranteed job before you enlist, but NOT an SP. i also picked FL on my dream sheet. they sent me to Japan. my best friend picked Cali., they sent him to Turkey, so be prepared to go anywhere. as far as basic training goes, try and get into the absolute best shape you can before you go, especially running, sit ups, push ups, and pull ups. if your recruiter can get you a copy of the BMTM, memorize it. that, alone, will make life ALOT easier, there. if your recruiter will teach you how to do all the perfect clothes folding, that will really be a big help, also. mainly, the point that i am trying to make, is that it is not easy to learn so much, when you are tired, dirty, and always worried about getting yelled at. but, if you do learn anything, ahead of time, DONT tell a soul, at basic training, that you already know it. given the chance, i would go back and do it over, in a heartbeat. i would have stayed in the service, had it not been for the job i was given. would be glad to answer any questions you have.
 
#18
#18
I knew all about the recruiters beforehand. So far my brother has been helping me out, guiding me through the process. My recruiter was being real cool about the whole thing. He understood my brother was there for a reason, so there was ******** being thrown my way. The guy was very polite and forthcoming, which I liked. As far as physical condition, I was already in the process of getting into shape until a death in the family occurred, which made me put things on halt for a few weeks. I already have a workout plan ready, so I'm ready to begin that as well. My brother has been informing me off all the ways of getting a demerit, so that's been of help. I'll get a copy of BMTM next time I'm at the recruiting office. As far as jobs are concerned, he said they are in need of more Intel, so I shouldn't run into any problems there. I hope that's the case. Thank you for all the advice, op.
 
#19
#19
by "disturbing" I meant that I think it's BS that a recruit can hold up a "stress card" and a Drill instructor has to back down.

I don't know if that's still done anymore, but i know it was during the early part of the Clinton administration. It's my belief that there's no place in Basic training for political correctness and if you can't handle the stress, you don't need to be in the military.

(not "you" personally, VK)
 
#21
#21
The Blueropes I had in my 1st Squadron (323) were uptight bungholes. I didn't get to make it through due to medical reasons. There are really good TI's and then you have the one's that just want the power trip. Warrior week was awesome, what little I got to experience. Just make sure you learn the BMTM (Basic Military Training Manual), because that's like the biggest thing to get people recycled when I went though in 1999. You made the proper selection in branches as well. Good Luck. Oh yeah, just make sure you don't share your 9-11 theories with anyone or a possible blanket party may come your way. :) OH WAIT, don't forget your reporting statement. Remembering your reporting statement and keeping military bearing is what will make your life A LOT easier.
 
#22
#22
g8terh8ter_eric said:
The Blueropes I had in my 1st Squadron (323) were uptight bungholes. I didn't get to make it through due to medical reasons. There are really good TI's and then you have the one's that just want the power trip. Warrior week was awesome, what little I got to experience. Just make sure you learn the BMTM (Basic Military Training Manual), because that's like the biggest thing to get people recycled when I went though in 1999. You made the proper selection in branches as well. Good Luck. Oh yeah, just make sure you don't share your 9-11 theories with anyone or a possible blanket party may come your way. :) OH WAIT, don't forget your reporting statement. Remembering your reporting statement and keeping military bearing is what will make your life A LOT easier.
Click to expand...

:hi:
 
#23
#23
Wow VK, would have never saw this coming. Good luck to you, thanks for serving. Word of advice, don't call your instructors sheep... I'm not military, but I can't see that being a good idea. :)
 
#24
#24
DI: Do you suck ______?
DI: Are you a peter puffer?

VK: Sir, no sir!

DI: Bull ________, I bet you can suck a golf ball through a garden hose!
 
#25
#25
MG1968 said:
by "disturbing" I meant that I think it's BS that a recruit can hold up a "stress card" and a Drill instructor has to back down.

I don't know if that's still done anymore, but i know it was during the early part of the Clinton administration. It's my belief that there's no place in Basic training for political correctness and if you can't handle the stress, you don't need to be in the military.

(not "you" personally, VK)
Click to expand...

They were phased out sometime before i went to OSUT at FT Knox in May of '99, basically for the reasons you stated. Several recruits who wouldn't have finished the 16 weeks due to the mental aspect made it through, went to their units, and were generally a waste of government money.
 
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