How to Prepare for Air Force Basic Training

So your leaving for Air Force Basic training soon! Well here's what you should know before you leave.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• pad & paper

1. Marching at graduation is a proud moment you'll never forget. All your hard work is starting to pay off. First you have to ask yourself. "Am I Ready for Basic Training?"
   Basic Military Training is an exciting, demanding, yet most rewarding experience. The
   best thing you can do to be ready is to prepare yourself in advance. Getting an early start
   on physical conditioning is among the most important steps you can take to be successful.
   Physical Preparation
   BMT Program: Three days of aerobic running alternated with three days of muscular
   fitness exercises. All sessions are preceded by pre-exercise limbering and end with a
   series of post-exercise stretches.
   Aerobic run sessions (42-50 min)
   􀂙 Three days are designated as Aerobic Training
   􀂾 1st Run Day
   􀂃 Brisk walk (1 min)
   􀂃 Last runner up (12 min)
   􀂃 Brisk walk (2 min)
   􀂃 Self-paced run (14 min)
   􀂃 Brisk walk (2 min)
   􀂃 Interval Training (9 min)
   • Run/Sprint (1 min) X 6
   • Brisk walk (30 sec) X 6
   􀂃 Brisk walk (2 min)
   􀂾 2nd Run Day
   􀂃 Brisk walk (1 min)
   􀂃 Last runner up (12 min)
   􀂃 Brisk walk (2 min)
   􀂃 Self-paced run (14 min)
   􀂃 Brisk walk (2 min)
   􀂃 Interval Training (9 min)
   • Run/Sprint (2 min) X 3
   • Brisk walk (1 min) X 6
   􀂃 Brisk walk (2 min)
   􀂾 3rd Run Day
   􀂃 PRT Appraisal is given which consists of 1.5 mile run, push-ups, sit-ups and
   pull-ups (50 min)
   Muscular endurance sessions (48 min): Combination of upper body/abdominal exercise
   sets which increase each week (includes sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups)
2. Lots of fun moments to come while at Tech School Prepare Yourself:
   The program will be much easier for you if you prepare in advance and are able to meet
   the suggested fitness level below upon arrival at BMT.
   Suggested fitness level upon arrival at Basic Training
   Run (1.5 mile) Push-ups Sit-ups
   Males 13:45 min. 34 38
   Females 16:01 min. 21 38
   Meeting these suggested fitness levels upon arrival increases the likelihood that you’ll
   meet graduation standards on-time.
   Recruits who prepare in advance often exceed minimal standards and receive special
   awards and recognition.
   Below are the standards you must meet to graduate BMT, as well as higher performance
   levels to win recognition.
   Men: Physical Readiness Training Standards
   Run (1.5 mile) Push-ups Sit-ups Pull-ups
   Liberator (minimum standard) 11:57 min. 45 50 0
   Thunderbolt (honor graduate) 9:30 min. 55 60 5
   Warhawk (highest standard) 8:55 min. 65 70 10
   Women: Physical Readiness Training Standards
   Run (1.5 mile) Push-ups Sit-ups Pull-ups
   Liberator (minimum standard) 13:56 min. 27 50 0
   Thunderbolt (honor graduate) 12:00 min. 32 55 2
   Warhawk (highest standard) 10:55 min. 40 60 5
   You'll be required to:
   Take an initial evaluation the first weekend you arrive.
   Pass an evaluation test to progress.
   Complete the Airman's Run in the 6th week of training where you’ll run in formation,
   singing jodies with visitors cheering you on.
   Push-ups and sit-ups must be performed with proper form. Those performed
   improperly will not count.
   Push-ups: To complete a push-up, assume the front leaning rest position with your arms
   shoulder width apart, feet together or up to 12 inches apart and body forming a generally
   straight line from your shoulders to your ankles. Keeping your head up, lower your body.
   Sit-ups: When practicing sit-ups, lay on your back with your feet together or up to 12
   inches apart, knees bent at 90-degree angle with a spotter holding your feet at the ankles.
   Place your arms crossed over the chest with your hands at the shoulders or resting at the
   upper chest. Bring your upper body forward until your elbows touch your knees or upper
   thigh. Lower your back until your shoulder blades touch the ground.
   Running: You can build up your running ability by
   starting out at a slow pace for 15 to 20 minutes. To
   ensure a smooth transition into the BMT fitness
   program, your goal should be a continuous 30 to 40
   minute run 3-5 times a week. Consistency is the key.
   Make a schedule and stick to it.
3. Not many people know eachother at this moment, still a bit nervious about what's to come. Your getting your gear right here. Make Sure Your Bringing the Right Things with You:
   You're expected to have certain mandatory items and paperwork upon arrival. Most of what you need can fit into a gym bag or small suitcase. Use the checklists provided and good judgment. If in doubt, ask your recruiter.
   Check the most current Transportation Security Administration policy for what you can place in your carry-on luggage (gels, liquids, etc...). (The Transportation Security Administration web site is at http://www.tsa.gov/)
   Do Bring
   􀂉 Only the necessities in your personal luggage.
   􀂉 Any important paperwork you may need -- check with your recruiter.
   􀂉 A toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap, deodorant, shampoo and shaving equipment (males) to last for about a week.
   􀂉 Glasses as opposed to contact lenses. The training environment is not conducive to contact wear.
   􀂉 Shower shoes are mandatory and must be the slip on type with a rubber bottom. No sandals or beach shoes are allowed.
   Don’t Bring
   􀁛 Knives, guns, brass knuckles or anything that may be used as a weapon.
   􀁛 Dice, playing cards or anything that may be used to gamble.
   􀁛 Magazines, books, crossword puzzles or any other media that is not of a religious nature.
   􀁛 Cigarettes, dip, lighters or any other tobacco products.
   􀁛 Large photo albums. A few photos are permitted but space is limited.
   􀁛 Material that is pornographic or can be considered questionable.
   􀁛 Any over-the-counter medications to include vitamins and supplements.
   􀁛 Aerosol sprays of any kind (i.e. hairspray, deodorant, starch)
   Checklists of Items
   Mandatory Items for all Trainees
   􀂉 Laundry soap (See Note 2) (1)
   􀂉 Ball-point pen (blue or black) (1)
   􀂉 Shampoo (1)
   􀂉 Deodorant (See Note 4) (1)
   􀂉 Toothbrush (1)
   􀂉 Toothbrush tray (1)
   􀂉 Toothpaste or powder (1)
   􀂉 Notebook and paper (1)
   􀂉 Black shoe polish (1)
   􀂉 Shine brush/cloth (1)
   􀂉 Shower shoes (1 pair)
   􀂉 Soap (1)
   􀂉 Soap tray (if bar soap is used) (1)
   􀂉 Civilian eyeglasses (if applicable)
   􀂉 Contact lenses/case (if applicable)
   Male Specific Items
   􀂉 Shaving Equipment (1)
   􀂉 Shaving cream or Electric pre-shave lotion (1)
   (The USAF will provide underwear for male trainees)
   Female Specific Items
   􀂉 Sanitary napkins/tampons (1 pkg.)
   􀂉 Bras/sport bras (6)
   􀂉 Hair bands, bobby pins, etc.
   􀂉 Underwear (6)
   􀂉 Brushes or combs (1 each)
   􀂉 Nylons/panty hose (6 WOT)
   Optional Items (Females and Males)
   􀂉 Envelopes (1 box)
   􀂉 Iron (1)
   􀂉 Towels (2)
   􀂉 Stamps (1 book)
4. Stress relieve Also Bring:
   􀂉 Cotton balls (1 box)
   􀂉 Spandex Shorts (females) (3 pair)
   􀂉 Spray starch/fabric finish (see Note 4) (1)
   􀂉 Batteries (D size) (2)
   􀂉 Nail trimming equipment (1)
   􀂉 Watch (1)
   􀂉 Sewing kit (1)
   􀂉 Calling card
   􀂉 Foot powder (1)
   􀂉 White socks (3)
   􀂉 Shaving items (Females)
   􀂉 Stationary supplies (1)
   􀂉 Running shoes (1 pair)
   You should also bring enough civilian clothes to last about 3 days. If you wear contacts, bring your glasses. The training environment is not conducive to contact lens wear.
   NOTE
   1. Trainees who wear glasses or contacts are required to buy eyeglass straps.
   2. If you are allergic to a certain kind of detergent, you may purchase another brand at your own expense.
   3. Do not buy or bring over-the-counter medication
   4. Do not bring aerosol sprays of any kind.
   
   Paperwork: To complete all of your military records, you will need to bring some items with you to basic training. Better to be safe than sorry, so bring any paperwork you think may be useful during your processing. Below is a list of the minimum documents you should bring if you have them:
   􀂉 Civilian eyeglass prescription
   􀂉 Contact lenses prescription
   􀂉 Any important paperwork relating to a medical prescription
   􀂉 Driver's license
   􀂉 Social Security Card
   􀂉 Marriage license
   􀂉 Dependents' birth records
   􀂉 JROTC/ROTC certificates
   􀂉 Civil Air Patrol certificates
   􀂉 Naturalization papers
   􀂉 Alien Card
   􀂉 Enlistment contract
   􀂉 College transcripts
   Financial Preparation
   It's important to take care of personal matters before you leave. Basic Training is designed to be stressful and you will need to focus all your attention on training.
   Check with your recruiter if you have questions or are unsure about how to handle any of the following matters:
   􀂉 Who will receive your mail?
   􀂉 Does your family have access to your finances? Bank accounts, etc.
   􀂉 How will your bills be paid while you are gone?
   􀂉 Does someone know what bills are due and when?
   􀂉 What other things could pop up in the time you are away?
   􀂉 Does your family know whom to contact in the event of an emergency?
   􀂉 Have you set up a bank account prior to your arrival?

Tips & Warnings

• Be positive and open minded
• DO NOT talk back or get cocky
• Do as your told as fast as possible
• Have letters pre-writen to mail out
• Remember it's only 6 weeks
• This is a great opportunity to quit smoking
• 4 Million others have done it, so can you.
• This will change your life forever, for the better
• Call me Sgt Davis if you have ANY questions I'd be happy to help in any way I can. [phone]
• Don't fight
• Don't find yourself engaged or married while in tech school, it never lasts
• This is a very challaenging 6 weeks, be positive and willing to learn and you'll do fine.