52 Days till I ship!!!!

[Blackstarracing]

Yeah 06JAN is coming soon and I just wanted to see if you guys had any last minute tips and such that might help me in basic. Please feel free to chime in. Thanks

[Sir Charles]

Yeah 06JAN is coming soon and I just wanted to see if you guys had any last minute tips and such that might help me in basic. Please feel free to chime in. Thanks


Just be calm and cool. Too many people get stressed and there is no reason to.

[thestereogod]

Don't volunteer for anything, except maybe laundry crew or band if you play an instrument. Memorize your 3 general orders and most importantly your reporting statement. Sir/Ma'am Trainee (yournamehere) reporting as ordered, or reports as ordered. Don't overpack, take some cash with you to buy stuff when you get there. They do give you cards with part of your fist paycheck on them but a little cash will go along way. Don't be that guy that shows up with a knife, a PS3, or anything else you don't need along those lines. Dont show up with long hair, but don't go with a buzzcut, long enough that you will still need a haircut, cause you're going to get one no matter what. DO NOT wear anything that says Air Force, I suggest just a plain sweatshirt, T shirt and jeans or khakis with one change of clothes Remember its in January and yes it is cold in Texas in January and it will probably rain alot as well. You want to blend in, the last thing you want to do is standout. Use your spare time wisely, help your fellow airman, but dont do everthing for them. There will always be that one guy, don't be him, and after you graduate you'll know what I mean. Don't talk back to your instructor, just do what they say, make sure your locker is squared away, and you'll be good to go!

[Blackstarracing]

Thanks for the input guys. Yeah I have been told about the not volunteering for anything in my DEP meetings. It said in my DEP guide to bring 3 changes of clothes for when I first get to tech school, so when would I be issued stuff to wear during basic?

[thestereogod]

About your 3rd day you'll get the the only clothes you'll wear for 7 weeks :)

[Blackstarracing]

I might volunteer for the band but I dont know. I finally got to see the ABU's up close last week. They dont look as bad as they did in some of the pictures but im still not too fond of them.Why would I want to volunteer for laundry crew? Also anyone on here doing Aircraft Metals i think it is? Where I am going under the mechanical career field I will be job counciled. I will have to list 3 jobs and they will assign me on of those 3 before I leave basic. SP far my list is 1. Tactial Aircraft Maint(crew chief), Aerospace Propulsions(jet engine), and the Aircraft Metals. Since I have previous fabrication and machining exp from working for a race team and I want to get a mechanical engineering degree I really would like to get aircraft metals.

[thestereogod]

Because it gives you little extra time to study and will get you out of some other things :) you'll be able to live out of a laundry bag, doesnt sound like much, but it will save you from having a ton of stuff in your locker for them to check, less is better.

[Blackstarracing]

what all could iit possibly get me out of?

[Sir Charles]

The ABU's are a lot more comfortable than the BDU's IMO.

[MarcInJapan]

So how are you doing?

[Blackstarracing]

doing pretty good just celebrated my 21st birthday on tuesday. A month from Saturday I will be in texas. ITs crazy its coming soo fast. Ive talked to a few friends that have been through basic for different branches of service and they really told me the only way to prepare is by working out because there really isnt a way to prepare for the mental aspect of it. I know I will do fine I am in pretty good shape so the physical shouldnt be real bad but Im sure it will still suck.
If I was to get stationed anywhere overseas that is where I would want to go to Japan. How is it over there I have a friend in the marines who is stationed in Japan.

[MarcInJapan]

Japan is awesome. I am at Kadena Air Base. You would love it here. Okinawa is a tropical island with weather similar to Hawaii. Only diff is that we get a occassional typhoon once in a while during typhoon season. But, all the houses here are built for it. I haven't even had a window blown in and I have went through 160MPH winds.

[Blackstarracing]

thats pretty awesome. Im going to basic under the mechanical career field so I will be job counseled(sp?) Im really interested in the Aircraft Metals job. Im not sure of the code for it but its mainly welding and fabricating parts for the birds because I have previous fabrication and welding experience and I want to get a mechanical engineering degree. Im really excited about shipping out I cant wait I know its going to be a crazy experience but Im up for the challenge.

[j1mb00]

keep your head down, down be first, dont be last, dont let your name be known by the drill sargent, the end of basic well basic and ait combined for me all the drill instructors had no clue what my name was becuase i just did what i had to do, got good training and got out, oh and push through the bull shit, remember it could always be worse, but there are some fun parts and some brotherhood that sticks forever

[Blackstarracing]

I ship out on Monday I would like to thank everyone who posted information. It has helped me prepare a little bit. I know its going to be tough but its supposed to be tough. Thanks againg. Ill be able to get back online once i hit tech school. Thanks again

[thestereogod]

Dang I missed ya to say good luck! We all know you'll do fine!