Well, OK, the Air Force, anyway. I just swore in today, signed my life away, and you know what?
I’m extraordinarily happy. 
I’m also nervous and apprehensive.
At 25 years old I think I can handle the Boot Camp BS, but it’s still a big step for me.
So,if anyone has some good anecdotes from boot camp (or any other time in the service), I’d love to hear them. I’d love to have some idea of what I’m really getting into.
Tip number one: Don’t say “I’m in the Army now” to your Air Force drill instructors.
Tip number two: Don’t worry. You joined the Air Force. Your most demanding exercise will be choosing between the Beef Wellington or the Veal Cordon Bleu.
Tip number three: Make the most of it. I hope you chose a military speciality that you can transfer to civilian life.
I’m sure others will contribute more, so I’ll just say Good Luck.
You had me worried that you were dumber than you seem. As the late Maj. dadzone, USAF (Ret) used to say, “The infantry’s for chumps.”
One can only imagine what he thought of the Marines.
Okay, he respected the hell out of them, but when the chips were down he went with the US(A)AF. And taught all his sons “Off We Go” in our cribs.
Congratulations and Welcome, doors! You’ve entered a noble and honorable profession, and if you keep your wits about you and a good attitude, you can go far and have a fabulous time while you are at it.
As far as basic training (not boot camp…that’s what those other guys call it :)), the biggest struggles are mental, and if you can just stay focused and calm, you should be fine. Actually, being 25 should be an asset. Being able to maturely do what needs to be done without falling to pieces is a big part of what your training instructors will be trying to teach you and your flight mates.
Two specific pieces of advice:
A) LISTEN to what they’re telling you. Sounds simple, but watch the people around you, and see how many of 'em just DID NOT LISTEN.
B) COMPLY with what they require.
Don’t let the flight fracture along whatever fault lines there are (“smart” guys like yourself, and them dumb-asses over there; gung-ho types, and the “cooperate and graduate” types; etc.). The instructors are looking for that, and will help it to occur, because you recruits are supposed to solve it.
Just remember…it’s all about teamwork. You succeed or fail as a unit. If you can take on a leadership role, and try and foster a sense of unit cohesion, you’ll be helping to ensure that not only you, but everyone else in your flight graduates on time.
I don’t know what your life has been like before, but from now on, it’s not about you. It’s about us. Dedicate yourself to a cause bigger than yourself.
And even though it seems illogical, that point of view will pay personal rewards that you won’t find anywhere else.
Once you’ve graduated, once you’re entitled to wear a uniform like mine and my brothers’ and sisters’, I’ll welcome you to the Brotherhood of Arms. But always remember:
You’re a little airman brother, and I’m a big SERGEANT brother! 
RIGHT AWAY, SERGEANT BLUESMAN!
YESSIR, SERGEANT BLUESMAN!
Standing At Attention
Just getting used to it, that’s all.
I suggest you beg and plead and bitch and whine to become an electrician, you will be set for life when you get out if you do that. Even more set if you go to college afterwards.
REPORT!
When do you leave?
And what will you be DOING in my Air Force, providing of course that you are a useful tool, suitable for training and worthy of the fortune we pay you, the banquet we feed you and the opportunities we give you?
Additional tips…
Don’t call a sergeant “sir” (unless you’re in the Marines) and
DON’T smile when responding.
Like Bluesman said, listening is important. If you don’t listen, you won’t do it their way…and that’s a bad thing.
I leave for Lackland (that’s San Antonio for you other morons) in August. Basic is 6 weeks long.
Then I go to Keesler (again, for the peanut gallery, that’s in Biloxi) for 27 weeks of tech school.
My MOS is going to be Airborne Electronic Communication Operator, or AirCom for short.
I’ll be based out of Harrisburg, PA at Harrisburg International Airport, in the 193rd SOW.
IS THAT SATISFACTORY, SERGEANT BLUESMAN?
Still at Attention
Hey, Doors, I do have an anecdote I wanted to share:
Your training instructors aren’t going to explain everything to you; they don’t have time, and if they did, they shouldn’t, because it sets a bad precedent. (All y’all would be saying “Why?” all the dam’ time.)
But a couple days before graduation, my flight’s TI called me and the student leaders into his office. (I wasn’t a student leader, but I WAS getting everything right the first pass, so I guess he thought I’d comprehend what he was telling us.)
We were standing there, braced for impact, wondering how we’d screwed up, and he held up a little metal disc, quarter-sized, hole in the middle, flange on one side. “Do any of you know what this is?” We did not.
“It’s part of the fuse on a 500-pound bomb. It fits on a pin with the flange toward the weapon. If it goes on the other way, it could detonate the bomb prematurely, destroying the airplane, pilot, load crew, and anything else around it.”
“We’ve been teaching you to fold your underwear in six-inch squares, but it’s not about underwear. It’s about attention to detail. Following orders, getting it right every time. Because there are big consequences for little mistakes, not just for you, but for your team.”
“Now, get out of my office, and tell the rest of 'em.”
So, I just told you.
Awright, FALL OUT, get a pair of BVDs, a ruler, and try not to blow yourself up!
Another thing you’ll learn is to stand at Parade Rest (feet shoulder width apart, hands crossed at small of back, fingers extended and joined, not clasped together, and eyes front) when addressing a non-commissioned officer. Standing at attention is reserved for such important things as commissioned officers, warrant officers, civilian dignitaries (congresscriters, etc), and the national colors (flag for you longhair types).
That’s the way the Army does it. Since the USAF is a former branch of the U.S. Army and most other Drill & Ceremony traditions are the same, I’d imagine this one is, too.
BTW, you never go straight to Parade Rest when reporting to an NCO. You first come to attention, then Parade Rest. You must also be at attention while speaking or before executing any movements, i.e. marching. When dismissed, you first come to attention, then leave. When a non-commissioned officer enters a room and no ranking NCO or an officer is present, the first person seeing the NCO will sound off with “At Ease”, signalling all personnel to come to Parade Rest.
Bluesman has it right about the teamwork and psych aspects of basic - the TI’s job, or at least part of it, is to try to get you to snap. Do Not Take It Personally. Stay calm, accept that you missed that ‘Inspected By #42’ scrap of paper in your shirt pocket that your TI found while inspecting your locker - even though you’d checked each pocket by holding the shirt up to the light and turning every pocket inside-out - just ignore the stash of them he keeps in his desk drawer. Your maturity will help you more than anything else. Fresh-out-of-high school kids simply do not know how to relax while being yelled at from six inches away.
Hey, if I could do it, anyone can.
And by the way, GIMME A 341, AIRMAN! YOU CALL THAT A SHINE?! I DIDN’T TEACH YOU THAT - GET BACK TO THE BARRACKS AND DO IT AGAIN AND HOPE I FORGET TO GIVE THIS TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR!
[sub]that’ll all be clear about september…[/sub]
Oh, and a P.S. - Do not attempt to salute the milk machine.
-Matt
Lackland AFB 1978
Keesler AFB 1978
McChord AFB 1978-80
Murphy Dome AFS 1981
Do NOT “Be All You Can Be”.
Do NOT be “One of The Few, The Proud”
Just ermm…“Aim High” and try not to piss all over the top of the toilet tank at the same time. 
hmph… all shore duty, how bad can it be? Be thankful for the housing. It may not seem like anything special, but it’s the best to be found among the services for any given rate. I understand the bases are quite nice, the joke is that the AF builds the golf course first, then asks Congress for extra money to put in runways. Of course, the locations are all in the middle of nowhere.
Hmm, 25 years old. Rather later than the usual time. What prompted the decision, if you don’t mind me asking? Anyways, good luck.
You got more balls than I.
Good luck.
I’m amazed - I did basic training on another continent in another military branch and I certainly recognize everything that’s been said here - perhaps the details vary, but certainly not the general idea.
If I might add one other piece of advice: In basic, aim to be above average, but don’t - and I mean DO NOT - try to stand out in the first few weeks. The instructors will want you to put your capabilities to work for the unit, not for yourself. While they won’t tell you, they’ll sure as hell notice.
IOW: Don’t attract attention until you get a grip on what’s expected of you.
Listen, stay calm and think. Don’t let it get to you. There’ll be plenty of possibilities initiative later, but in basic, 99% of the time just do as you’re told. And your age gives you an edge like you wouldn’t believe.
Oh, and be proud when it’s over. Well, you will be.
S. Norman
We had a guy salute a “pigeon” once. At least that’s what he told the TI he thought the Colonel had on his shoulders . . .
Tripler
Thanks for the memorieeeees. . .
Drop and give me twenty, wingnut!
Then go get me a beer…
'Grats.
Bwa hahahahahaha!
Hey Doors. The only advice I can give you is to keep your mouth shut, your ears open, and forget everything you think you know about BMT.
You’re going to enjoy Tech School at Keesler tho’. All the squadrons there have mascots. I think you’ll be a Dark Knight… at least you should if the 338th still does your tech school.
I got to be a Mad Duck. Bah! Oh well, that’s what I get for being in the Comm squadron. We’re a bunch of dorks you know.
But Biloxi is cool. You’ll learn all about Black Flag’s there, and the HurBirds more than likely. Plus, when you finally get to go off base, there’s all the casinos there.
Good luck Doors.