ENLISTED BASIC MILITARY (BMT) TRAINING FOR AIR FORCE MOMS

* ALL AIR FORCE BMT IS HELD AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE ANTONIO, TEXAS

Questions…. Questions…. Questions…
When your loved one begins the process of becoming an Airman…
We have so many…
Hope this answers a few.
If you have a question and you don’t see it here, please contact us.

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE BASIC

Your Airman will be given at date of departure from the closest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for processing to enter active duty in the AF. If there are any changes to their status prior to this reporting day (such as physical condition, marital status, law violations, educational status, etc.), the recruiter must be contacted immediately. All families are encouraged to accompany your soldier to MEPS. You may remain with them, except for certain briefings, until their plane or bus leaves for Texas. You may attend their swearing in ceremony, a very impressive and tissue alert few moments. You can take pictures at the appropriate time when directed by the Officer in Charge (OIC).

Prep for MEPS –

Do not bring expensive jewelry, only wedding rings and a sturdy watch will be allowed during BMT for wear.

Two complete changes of weather appropriate for Texas civilian clothing to include closed-toe shoes.

ONE piece of luggage.

Account number, routing information and bank address for military pay automatic deposit - REQUIRED.

If your Airman is taking medications, they are to bring all to MEPS, and new prescriptions will be written.

Bring ALL prescription eye wear. Contact lens are not allowed for wear during BMT for safety reason, new prescription glasses will be issued. Contacts may be worn until glasses are completed.

Airmen will receive a FREE haircut upon arrival to BMT. A suggestion for the girls: Female hair must be at a length that does not touch the collar of their uniform. It may be worn up as long as their military hat will fit over it, and it is clear of their face and neck. If your female airman has hair of a length that cannot be pinned up and does touch the collar of a blouse, perhaps getting a GOOD haircut prior to entering MEPS would be advisable. ALL hair must be a color that occurs in nature, i.e. Blonde, red, black, brown, etc.

ITEMS TO BRING TO BMT

TOOTHBRUSH

TOOTHBRUSH CASE

TOOTHPASTE

COMB/HAIR BRUSH

DEODORANT

LIQUID SOAP

SHAMPOO

FINGERNAIL CLIPPERS (TO BE PLACED IN YOUR CHECKED BAG) *

EXTRA APPROPRIATE UNDERGARMENT (MUST COVER ENTIRE BUTTOCKS)

WHITE SPORTS BRA (FEMALE)

RAZOR (SEE CLIPPERS) *

EYEGLASSES (PRESCRIPTION ONLY)

EYEGLASSES STRAP (MANDATORY)

VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE

MARRIAGE LICENSE AND CHILDREN’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE (IF APPLIES)

DO NOT BRING

PORNOGRAPHY

TOBACCO PRODUCTS OF ANY KIND

FOOD/CANDY

MAGAZINES/BOOKS

RADIO/CD PLAYER

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Your Airman will arrive at Lackland AFB, TX and will be assigned to a Training Squadron and BMT will begin immediately. Trainees arrive on Lackland on Tuesday, Wednesday for Thursday normally. If for any reason your trainee arrives on Friday, they will be held over for one week and will join the next incoming flight. This intense training program will last Six weeks. The only reasons for changes to this time frame would be a Holiday during your Airman BMT, in case of injury/illness, failure to complete a block of training and being held back until completed satisfactorily, or disciplinary action. In the case of disciplinary action, if the infraction is severe enough, your soldier could be expelled from the Air Force. Encourage your Airman to follow all rules/regulations and voice your Pride OFTEN.

CONTACT WITH MY Airman?

Your Airman will receive a mailing address shortly upon arrival to the squadron they are assigned. Time will be given to them to write letters home. Please allow 10-12 days from their arrival day for this letter to reach you. Keep in mind that the training schedule is INTENSE and your Airman is under a great deal of stress and fatigue. During a BRIEF break during the first week of training they will be allowed a SHORT phone call home to give their mailing address to you. BE SURE TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF ANSWERING SERVICE, AS THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CALL OFTEN. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS GETTING THAT CALL OR ADDRESS!!!!

Your Airman will be required to mail to their family a copy of the USAF Basic Training Information for Family and Friends manual. You should receive this after the 2^nd to 3^rd week of their BMT. This will give you additional information. It will include most or all of the information you find here. It will also include a list of Hotels in the area, activities in San Antonio, some discount tickets to area recreation, etc.

You are encouraged to write often to them, as it provides much needed moral support. Become their coaches and loudest cheerleaders. Always be positive.

They should write when given the time, but remember their whole world is turned upside down and is COMPLETELY different than at home. They are not off to college or school, but in a regimented, restrictive, physically demanding, stressful Military training environment, and you want them to succeed.

EMERGENCY CONTACT –

DEATH IN THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY

SERIOUS ILLNESS IN THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT (WIFE OF MALE TRAINEE ONLY)

Contact your local Red Cross agency office to make contact. You MUST give your soldiers Social Security Number to the agent. If you have your Airman’s mailing address when the emergency occurs, please give that to the agent also. Your Airman may be allowed to return home to attend the funeral of an immediate family member, but this will delay their completion of training. The Red Cross does not issue the leave, they are only responsible for verifying the nature of the emergency; leave is granted only by your Airman’s Commander.

YOUR AIRMAN WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET OR INCOMING CALLS DURING TRAINING.

YOUR AIRMAN WILL NOT IS ALLOWED TO RECEIVE PACKAGES. THEY WILL BE TAKEN FROM THE AIRMAN, AND HELD UNTIL GRADUATION.

DEFINITION OF A TRAINING INSTRUCTOR.

Drill Sergeants, called Training Instructors. in the Air Force (MTI), are chosen from the Top 10% of all Air Force NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers). They can be either men or women and are career Air Force personnel. They are extremely well trained, highly supervised, professional, and dedicated to training your Airman to be the BEST. They are NOT allowed to hit, abuse, or infringe on the civil liberties of your family member.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY AIRMAN IS INJURED OR BECOMES ILL?

“Sick call” is held each morning, at which time, your Airman will be allowed treatment by an Air Force physician. They will be treated appropriately, given necessary rest, medications, or hospitalization when needed. This may delay your Airman graduation, but their health and safety is the most important issue at hand. Your airman Training Instructors or Physician will contact you if necessary or your Airman will be given the opportunity to call home.

WILL MY AIRMAN BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND CHURCH DURING BMT?

Yes, and they are encouraged to do so if they wish. The Base Chapel provides services to all denominations for all Airmen. The Air Force respects our First Amendment right to religious freedom. Buses are provided to shuttle Airman back and forth to attend services.

BMT TERMINOLOGY

AB: Airman Basic, rank of your Airman while in BMT.

Base Liberty: Visitation privilege limited to Lackland AFB Thursday through Sunday (Sixth Week Only).

Military Ceremony:

Retreat: Thursday – Signals the end of the official duty day and serves as a ceremony for paying respect to the U. S. Flag.

Parade: Friday – Commanders review of troops, formal graduation.

PSC: Postal Service Center

Reveille: Signals the start of an official duty day.

Requesting Visitation: Sign-in ONLY ONCE at the BMT Reception center.

SQ: Squadron your Airman is assigned to while at BMT.

Visitation: Airmen in the last week of training (6^th) are eligible for visitation>

Thursday: Visitation begins immediately after Retreat.

Friday: Visitation begins immediately after Graduation Parade.

Town Pass: Saturday ONLY – Airman allowed to go off base, with the Express permission of their TI, within the San Antonio City limits between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. They may be allowed to remain in town at the discretion of their TI, until a Specific time on Sunday morning.

Your Airman may ride in a car but they are NOT allowed to drive a car under ANY circumstances.

Base Liberty and Town Pass are Privileges that must be EARNED by your Airman and can be denied AT ANY TIME for disciplinary reasons.

GRADUATION, GO AIR FORCE!

You are highly encouraged to attend your Airman’s graduation!!! You will receive notice of graduation from your Airman. You will be given the date, but REMEMBER graduation depends on your Airman’s performance and dedication, and on their physical ability to complete all Phases satisfactorily. DO NOT make flight or travel arrangements too far in advance unless they are refundable or transferable.

GRADUATION SCHEDULE AND RULES

Airman must remain in uniform at all times and maintain a professional, military appearance and their behavior must always remain above reproach.

Airmen are forbidden the use of tobacco products, drink alcoholic beverages, or drive a vehicle.

Airman should avoid extreme displays of public affection and compromising situations.

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY

Attend one of the four visitor briefings (8:30am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm or 2:00 pm)

8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. – Family sign in at the BMT Reception Center to request visitation.

10:00 a.m. – Two-mile Airman’s Run (BMT Reception Center)

4:20 p.m. – Airmen begin arriving at the BMT Reception Center.

4:30 p.m. –Retreat commences and Airmen are released immediately after the ceremony.

(LIMITED visitation is possible due to potential training requirements)

4:45 p.m. – Honor Grad Recognition Ceremony.

5:00 –7:30 p.m. – Dinner Buffet at Mitchell Hall.

8:00 p.m. – Airmen are due back inside their dorms.

FRIDAY

7:15 a.m. – Events Briefing (BMT Reception Center Auditorium) ONLY ONE!

7:45 a.m. – Buses depart from BMT Center to the Parade Grounds.

9:00 a.m. – Graduation Parade Begins.

10:00 a.m. - Buses depart to the Reception Center. (Airmen released for base liberty—they may ride back with you.)

10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. – Squadron Open House. (You can visit their dorms)

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch at Mitchell Hall.

5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Dinner Buffet at Mitchell Hall.

8:00 p.m. – ALL Airman are due back inside their dorms.

NOTE: EACH GRADUATION IS VIDEO TAPED AND A COPY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE BMT VISITORS CENTER ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FOLLOWING EACH GRADUATION. IF YOUR FAMILY IS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND GRADUATION, YOU MAY CALL THE VISITORS CENTER (210) 671-2593. THEY ARE OPEN M-T, AND SATURDAY 0800-2000, FRIDAY 0700-2000, SUNDAY 0800-1400. PLEASE HAVE YOUR AIRMAN'S FULL NAME, SQUADRON NUMBER, FLIGHT NUMBER, AND DATE OF GRADUATION AVAILABLE.

SATURDAY

9:00 a.m.- Airmen are released from their squadrons for Town Pass.

8:00 p.m. – Airmen are due back inside their dorms.

SUNDAY

6:30 a.m. – Church Services begin (different services are scheduled at various times—If you and your Airman plan to attend church, you must attend YOUR Airman’s designated service for that denomination –Protestant Church Services are held at 12:30 p.m.)

9:00 a.m. – Airmen are released from their squadrons for Base Liberty.

9:00 a.m. – Sunday Brunch at the Gateway Club – Open to all visitors (Ends at 1:30 p.m.)

6:00 p.m. – ALL Airmen are due back inside their dorms.

YOU AIRMAN MUST RETURN TO THEIR DORM ON TIME OR IT MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VISITATION TIME.

THE ABOVE SCHEDULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, ESPECIALLY DURING HOLIDAYS.

WHAT CAN WE DO ON BASE DURING OUR VISIT

Many families go to the bowling alley and eat at the snack bar, or bowl with their Airman and friends. The Base Theater is open to family to attend with their Airman. All facilities on base such as the Base Exchange (civilian name, department store), the Commissary (grocery store), Quick Shop, (7- 11 type store) etc. may be visited by families, and purchases may be made. But a valid ID is required to enter and to purchase, so your Airman or another family member who possess a valid military ID card must accompany you.

You are strongly encouraged to wear Patriot clothing to graduation, display flags, hats, pins, and of COURSE if you are a member of Military Mom’s you need to wear you PURPLE hat so you will be able to recognize each other.

Bring plenty of film; disposable cameras are a great idea to take along to share with that Airman whose families are unable to attend. Take pictures of these Airmen and then give them the camera to send home to family.

After you have said goodbye to your Airman on Sunday at their dorm, your visit is over, and their Air Force adventure continues. Depending on what Technical School your Airman is slated to attend; they will leave Lackland by bus, plane, or other means to reach their Tech. School. The date of their departure is variable. Tech. School is less restrictive, but their freedoms are still limited and your access to them, although greater, is not unlimited. The Air Force sets HIGH standards of excellence, and your Airman will required Physical Training, as well as have difficult class room and hands on training to complete in a satisfactory and timely fashion. Each Tech. School varies in length, so there is not standard time frame for them to PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to their next duty station, called their Permanent Base.

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Belinda, thank you so much for the time and effort you put in to this..
We so appreciate you!