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My BMT experience and Air Force Photos "Click on the Pics with borders around them to Enlarge"
Basic Training was a crazy experience for me. Not only was it nerve wrecking, but it was like a huge mind game. I remember being so sad when I left my family and friends, and very nervous. I was wondering if I was making the right decision? I remember that night in the hotel, before I had to leave I couldn't sleep at all, I kept trying and trying to fall asleep! That next morning, at I think 4 am we all had to eat and then get on a bus to go to MEPS, where you couldn't even close your eyes. I was sooo tired. After all the paper work, we then eventually left on a plane to San Antonio, Texas. Once we arrived (sometime at night), we sat on the floor in straight rows for at least 1-2 hrs. At this point I was exhausted, I hadn't been to sleep in almost 48 hrs. Little did I know how long I would actually be awake for.
Finally about 2 or 3 Coaches picked all the new trainees up, and bussed us to Lackland AFB. My stomach was in knots. I had a huge suite case on my lap, and also a backpack on my back. Once we arrived at the right place, I saw a girl dressed in BDU's "Battle Dress Uniform", a.k.a. (Camoflage), she was very intimidating. Her instructions were to carry all of our luggage in our left hand, and walk like we have a sense of urgency. I thought I was going to die! I was sleepy, nervous, I wondered how I would carry my heavy suite case and bookbag in my left hand. But I did. As soon as I got off the bus the T.I.'s, "Training Instructors", were screaming! I thought to myself, "What have I gotten myself into?" |
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Me in the U.S. Air Force September 2003
Yes, Basic was tough! I'm not going to lie to you, but it was more of a mind game. Almost everything you do in Basic, is like a Hurry up and Wait situation. My T.I.'s were four terrifying male instructors from the 322nd Training Squadron (TSGT's Masters and Wilbricht SSGT's Jeffress and Fontenot), who for the first few weeks were VERY tough, and then eventually eased up a little. But not enough to joke around. They all taught me a lot over the 7 weeks of Basic! And I appreciate them for it! I bet your wondering if I would ever do it again? Heck no! Not only was it tough physically, but also mentally. You had to function on about 5 or less hours of sleep, function without hearing from your family. Family and friends were the hardest part for me. You couldn't call home when you wanted to or write, you were pretty much told what to do, when to do it, and how to do it! I loved receiving letters, and being able to make phone calls. That was one of the best moments in Basic. But one of the best experiences of all was seeing your family for the first time in 6-7 weeks, receiving your Airman's Coin, being called an Airman ( throughout 6 weeks of Basic you are called Trainee or Female for me, Male for guys obviously), and the Graduation Parade. It makes you very proud of yourself and for your family , and amazed that you actually completed the U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training!
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All of the U.S. Flags in the Air Force Graduation Parade on July 21,2003 at Lackland AFB, Texas
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My BMT Flight 547 & 548 swearing in at the Graduation Parade (July 21,2003)
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Our Airman's Run At Lackland AFB, TX, this is when we see our families for the first time, since we left for Basic (July 2003)
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Me and my family after Graduation (July 2003)
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Me after Graduation in my USAF Service Dress Uniform (July 2003)
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My sister, Me, and My brother infront of the 322nd Training Squadron (my squadron) at Lackland in July 2003
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Me on left, Amn Jackson, and Amn Lucus at Keesler AFB, MS (Sept. 03)
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Amn Amen and Me @ Keesler AFB (Oct. 03) |
Amn Morales and Me outside of our Squadron at Keesler AFB (Sept. 03)
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Me on left and Amn Rouse inside 336 MTF (Military Training Facility) at Keesler AFB, Sept. 03
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Me and Amn Morales in our Information Management class at Keesler AFB, Mississippi (Sept. 2003)
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