All branches of the military have the indoctrination of basic training. This is the first experience that enlisted members have to learn the customs and courtesies of their respective branch of the military. Yes, it is stressful. Yes, people yell at you. Yes, you can not think freely. Yes, they actually control every aspect of your life. No, you can not do anything about it without the possibility of going to jail.
My first night of basic training was July 7th 1998. I had ate breakfast at Grannies kitchen table that morning. The bus ride from the airport in San Antonio Texas to Lackland Air Force Base was a quiet and reflective time. Little did I know that was the last moments of peace I would have for the next eight and a half weeks. We arrived on base at 10 p.m. that night; we didn't get off the bus before out training began. When the doors opened four drill instructors boarded the bus and our independence was taken from us immediately. The next six hours is a complete blur. We had to pick our luggage up, and then set it back down. I never knew that I put luggage down wrong. Apparently, the new formation of 60 people from across America failed to properly pick up our luggage and set our luggage down. The drill instructors continued to let us know that we were barely above the IQ level to consume their oxygen.
Over the course of training we were molded into one cohesive unit, we looked the same, talked the same, walked the same way. Yes, when walking the left foot is the first one to move. I still start walking with my left foot, and its been twenty years since this time. We had to learn Air Force tradition. To eat a meal, we had to answer questions about customs and courtesies; this is not a simple asked question. I had seven drill instructors asking me seven different questions at the top of their lungs. I had to answer all seven, and they preferred at the same time.
During this time, we had to learn combat survival skills, coping mechanisms, how to shoot, how to avoid getting shot, how to escape enemy capture, our roles in the Geneva Convention. We learned basic first aid, how to patch each other up, and how to fill out our last wills and testaments.
My first night of basic training was July 7th 1998. I had ate breakfast at Grannies kitchen table that morning. The bus ride from the airport in San Antonio Texas to Lackland Air Force Base was a quiet and reflective time. Little did I know that was the last moments of peace I would have for the next eight and a half weeks. We arrived on base at 10 p.m. that night; we didn't get off the bus before out training began. When the doors opened four drill instructors boarded the bus and our independence was taken from us immediately. The next six hours is a complete blur. We had to pick our luggage up, and then set it back down. I never knew that I put luggage down wrong. Apparently, the new formation of 60 people from across America failed to properly pick up our luggage and set our luggage down. The drill instructors continued to let us know that we were barely above the IQ level to consume their oxygen.
Over the course of training we were molded into one cohesive unit, we looked the same, talked the same, walked the same way. Yes, when walking the left foot is the first one to move. I still start walking with my left foot, and its been twenty years since this time. We had to learn Air Force tradition. To eat a meal, we had to answer questions about customs and courtesies; this is not a simple asked question. I had seven drill instructors asking me seven different questions at the top of their lungs. I had to answer all seven, and they preferred at the same time.
During this time, we had to learn combat survival skills, coping mechanisms, how to shoot, how to avoid getting shot, how to escape enemy capture, our roles in the Geneva Convention. We learned basic first aid, how to patch each other up, and how to fill out our last wills and testaments.
After eight weeks of training, countless sleepless nights, continuous mental and physical training, our time had come for graduation from military basic training in front of friends, family and the drill instructors that we had come to fondly admire. Marching down the parade field, the sense of pride and accomplishment will never be duplicated. We arrived in Lackland Air Force Base a bunch of kids from across America. We left as a cohesive fighting unit that was ready to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Little did I know that opportunity was going to present itself a few short years later.
After Basic Training, we went to our respective Tech Schools to learn our jobs that we were chosen to do on active duty. I joined the service because I knew that I was not mature enough at the time to successfully attend college. Our Tech School is a regionally accredited college institution; I was taking college classes regardless of my maturity level. We still had restrictions during this time. The first two weeks I was required to be in uniform outside of my dorm room. Once I passed that time frame I was allowed to leave the base but I had to be in service dress and had a strict curfew that was absolutely non negotiable. Eventually, the training schedule was relaxed and I was able to successfully complete my school requirements and released to active duty.
After Basic Training, we went to our respective Tech Schools to learn our jobs that we were chosen to do on active duty. I joined the service because I knew that I was not mature enough at the time to successfully attend college. Our Tech School is a regionally accredited college institution; I was taking college classes regardless of my maturity level. We still had restrictions during this time. The first two weeks I was required to be in uniform outside of my dorm room. Once I passed that time frame I was allowed to leave the base but I had to be in service dress and had a strict curfew that was absolutely non negotiable. Eventually, the training schedule was relaxed and I was able to successfully complete my school requirements and released to active duty.