What Is Air Force Basic Training Like?

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By Brian Brown
eHow Contributing Writer

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All recruits entering the U.S. Air Force must complete basic training, a grueling course of physical, psychological and educational training. All people entering USAF active duty, the Air Force Reserves or the Air National Guard must complete basic training. The course is designed to teach recruits about the basics of military life and turn civilians into soldiers.

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Duration

Air Force basic training is an 8 ½-week course, with recruits enduring 20-hour days of classroom instruction, drills and military exercises.

Location

The only location for Air Force basic training is the 737th Training Group at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Recruit Processing

Upon arrival at Lackland AFB, all recruits are processed, which includes drug testing, uniform issue, medical and dental screenings, and a standard military haircut (for male recruits only).

First Weeks in Training

The first 4 or 5 weeks of Air Force basic training consist of predeployment training, which includes weapons training and qualification, pugil stick fighting, job counseling, obstacle course completion and classroom work.

Deployment Phase

The sixth week of Air Force basic training is the deployment phase, during which a recruit completes Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training (BEAST). This week consists of field-training exercises.

Postdeployment Training and Graduation

After finishing the BEAST phase, recruits complete postdeployment training, including classroom work and physical evaluations, leading up to graduation from basic training.