Gateway History ca 1975

Another neat film depicting a brief history of Lackland AFB including the primary mission of the installation: Basic Military Training (BMT).
Enjoy!

[@GregSr]

I went through BMTS in Flight 3708 in January 1976. 4 years later I was honorably discharged as a SSgt (E5). I would do it all again. No regrets!

[@lonmccarter6337]

I went through BMTS in August of 1974. I was in flight 969, 3708 BMTS.

[@bikescarsandeverythinginbe7309]

I was there at the same time in the same flight. I was a squad leader for a brief time. And I would also do it all over again.

[@williamkight943]

I was in 3708 in September 1976 😊

[@GaryMP4.8]

I was 3702 BMTS 1976

[@MajorKong1]

3708 flt 055 in November 1990. 22 years later retired as a MSgt (E7) and I'd do it all again. Might do a few things different though...

[@waynenichols7887]

Went through BMTS in mid 1969. Stayed for 20 years and retired as a MSgt.

[@spokanetomcat1]

At the 9:05 mark, SMgt Barnes was CMSgt Barnes in Sep 1978 of the 3706th during my basic training. He was my squadron's senior enlisted advisor. During the CFC campaign, he told us a story about being a young airman in the 1950s with a family. He did a lot of extra duties because he could not donate to it at $50 a month pay. He was a good, fair, and inspiring man. Thank you, Chief.

[@josemoreno3334]

Went through BT in August 1979, I was 21 years old. Hot and humid , Cotton OD uniforms and 6 weeks of getting yelled at. I sure wish I could go through that again. But this time in early spring. From there , Off to Sheppard AFB to be trained as a Telephone linesmen/Cable splicer. Then after, To Norton AFB, Calif. I'm now retired Air Force.

[@idolhanz9842]

Went through August 1979 too...3707..SSgt Cox was da TI...

[@jgatkinson744]

I new i was getting drafted in 1958 so I’ve volunteered 45 days ahead of draft and I joined the Air Force. I spent Christmas that year and basic training but for me it was the best thing I could’ve ever did in my life. I didn’t know it then, but I realize it today, I am proud to say I have served and the United States Air Force

[@strumminandwrenchin9162]

Did you get to fight in ‘Nam after BMT?

[@michaelhatcher69]

I think it is Funny when the TI talks about the Airmen of today who are less willing to just follow orders, he'd lose his mind today

[@lifeguardman6]

Michael Hatcher sounded like he considered it a good thing that they don’t blindly follow orders.

[@mrdaleowen1]

june 1963 TIs did a lot of screaming at first after a week we caught on to the deal and it all calmed down. hard to get 60 men to march together but we caught on.

[@traveller4790]

This was not filmed in 1975. The subdued rank insignia and name tapes, and the Senior Airman rank date this film to 1977 at the earliest.

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

The shirt with the epaulets came in about '76.

[@dbrown6941]

No tennis shoes as well.

[@raystone9106]

Still had the old WW2 barracks when I went through BT in early 70s. A few years later new barracks were erected. When to Sheppard AFB, had the same old barracks. Red clay dust was hard to keep area close clear. There were only 2 female squadrons, almost 50 years ago. So glad this female served. E7/MSgt and then was commissioned. 25 years in

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

I lived in the old barracks in (November-December 1978) instead of the new buildings because I played in the drum and bugle corps through basic. And because our flight was co-ed, they put 25 women in on building and 25 men in another. It was the best 6-week period of my life. The rest of my Air Force time was a huge letdown.

[@rcramey1]

Entered basic training July 12th 1971. Squadron 3702 flight 1095. TI's Tsgt Morton, Msgt Beach. After basic when to Shepherd AFB then on to Clark AB. Honorably Discharged at Travis AFB. Rank SGT.

[@JerryCarr909]

Basic Training April 1974. Wild times. Did my 4 and got honorable discharge. Stayed with fed government for 38 years

[@HobbitHomes263]

My Dad went to LAckland in July of 1950. They were so overrun with recruits. Dad had been the commander of his high school USMC/ROTC detachment and he could type so the USAF slapped three stripes on him and shipped him off to Korea as a clerk-typist with the Security Police Squadron.

[@brumay1047]

I went in May 18, 1978 Flight 3702 (Lead, Follow or get out of the way!), we still ran in Chuck’s boots and got those shin splints 😮, then to Sheppard AFB and then Wiesbaden USAFE! One of the best things I did in my life! Thank you AF!

[@briangulley6027]

Running in those is close to a war crime.

[@teleguy5699]

@@briangulley6027 😂

[@ashleymarie7452]

As a retired USAF 81172, I greatly appreciate this type of video. This is not something that we got when I was in from 1969 to 1990. Understanding your heritage is a very important part of training. I also wish we had more voluntary "local customs/heritage" training regarding the various places I served in overseas. I spend the majority of my career overseas, and regret that I did not become more educated/indoctrinated regarding my host country of assignment.

[@jef4063]

Entered basic training 4 Nov ‘75. This does not look like what we went through then. We were not given tennis shoes; everything was done in combat boots. We did not select our clothing but went through a line where we told our size and they threw it at us. I lost 35 lbs in basic so by the end I had to hold my pants up to run. Also, we were the last group to be issued the 1505’s (tan uniform). They told us we could wear them for a year but I was not allowed to wear them at Tech School or at my first permanent station, Yokota Air Base, Japan so I had to buy new uniforms.

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

Came into basic that same year, late June. We had the 1505s issued to us, only wore them a few times.

[@johnandrobinmccoy8305]

I got there in June, 1976. 3708 bmts, flight 590. We got 2 sets of 1505's, 1 set of blues. Never wore the the 1505s! @@PlasmaCoolantLeak

[@eutimiochavez415]

25 yrs and still training never end but that great.

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

SMSgt Barnes was in my squadron when I was there in Nov '78. I don't remember asking many questions as he indicates in his schpiel @9:05.

[@teleguy5699]

Came this close to joining the Air force in 1975, but chickened out. Fast foreword to 1983 and I did. 30 plus years later, I retired.

[@rosssmith5963]

I was there from 6 Aug to 20 Sep 1971. I don't remember my Squadron or Flight numbers. The Green Monster was still in use when I was there. Only had 4-6 of the new barracks with AC. I was in the much older wooden barracks.

[@dond4501]

I was an MTI in 74 and the subdued name tapes and tennis shoes were in in 1977. SMsgt Barnes was Training Superintendent of 3706 BMTS in 77 he made Chief in late 77 or 78. Also the Blue Rope or Master MTI was adopted in mid to late 1975. I got mine in 1979.

[@johnanderson8046]

I remember that first haircut at Lackland (1972 in my case). I think it took about 20 seconds!

[@keathrhymer5449]

1970 3711 squadron retired 27 years . made rank capt and was a pilot

[@tomfitzpatrick6524]

I enlisted 1 November 1950, had one week of indoctrination at Lackland, then six weeks of Basic at Shepherd. Started tech school 1 January 1951, Warren AFB, Got my bat wing around 1 Feb.

[@geraldwilson681]

Enlisted and went to Lackland AFB in 1988. 3701st Squadron building.

[@danielroque8504]

i was there in 89 3701st...My TI was SSgt Blunt....

[@idolhanz9842]

I remember quite well my entry . I still have a heavily gafittized and desecrated flight graduation book. I, and a few others discussed our proposed careers and discussed our plans for the future being mapped out..also our hopes, aspirations of where we and the world were heading just before the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis and the election of President Reagan. I remember the air being sucked out of the classroom in late July 1979 when i predicted a defeat of Carter and the election of Reagan. I stayed for 24 years.

[@josephpronchick6152]

Went through basic in 1980 with the 3723 BMTS

[@sean-t4178]

was there late 72 great experience.

[@gusm2752]

June 1976 for me. 3723 rd Flt 629 from Jersey 😁🇺🇸

[@HobbitHomes263]

DO the archives include any of the BMTS "yearbooks" that we got at the end of training? I was there in May/June 73

[@cycleguy1943]

Jan-Feb ‘83 BMTS 3723/FLT035 👍🇺🇸Lackland AFB

[@user-xd1qv2bk3l]

Squadron 3701 flt 1820 . 18 Nov ‘69 to 05 jan ‘70 then to Lowry to much older coal heat barracks. For munition school

[@danielroque8504]

34 yrs ago I passed through them gates, 26 yrs later from that date I retired....I'd do it all over again, unfortunately, my body wont~🤣🤣

[@teleguy5699]

Same here. 30 years. My body was saying no the last few years.

[@arthurdidonna4610]

I wish I could find a video from my time Jan. 22, 1972

[@bierbarrel]

Feb 1980...3706...retired SMSgt after 38 years

[@dridemoto]

I went through boot camp in spring of 1971.

[@brutuskleais4178]

What's with the white shoes?? We did all our physical training in combat boots, 1969!

[@teleguy5699]

Trust me, those shoes were no better than low cut Walmart Chuck Taylors. It'd be a contest which were worst to run in.

[@PlasmaCoolantLeak]

Ah, "The Green Monster."

[@ProducersUniverse]

Jan 2001 Flt 293/294 A Flight 320TRS

[@anthonyc.regalado4056]

BMT 1967

[@clifftrimble2616]

Went there Oct 1976.. retired in 2000 best job I ever had!!

[@bradabbott4892]

I went through basic at lackland in june july 1970 then off to tech school at Chanute then off to vietnam ,after that came zweibrucken germany 🇩🇪 mt home afb was next left the Airforce a E6 tsgt had to stop at 7 years due to injury from vietnam. No regrets except injury kept me from making a career of it. I made ssgt at 3 years tsgt at 6 years