Gateway to the Air Force - Basic Training 1988

[@elwoodmcdougal5406]

“The actual exchange contains many wonderful items...” Yeah, 90% of which you weren’t allow to purchase in basic training.😝

[@Trve_Kvlt]

We did anyways lmao. When I got transferred to the TRSS for an injury, we would go to the big BX and buy candy and shit

[@razielthedemonicninja2003]

Well you can. If you're SF. Then you're stuck here but can buy the other 90% of items 😀

[@scottgoodrich5825]

That’s some awful hairdos on the women.

[@jamescassidy2964]

It's been 34 years since I've been there, but watching this it seems like I was just there!!

[@blevpat]

Memories...... I was there July 1980. Major heatwave above 100 degrees most days. Long sleeve pickle uniform, no favors. Low Quarters (sp) equals shin splints. Always Fun. And, of course the mile and a half. Hated to run. By far the worst part for me was the running. So glad I choose the USAF. Some of the best times in my life. Some of the best people I'll ever meet. Thanks for the video. A proud USAF Veteran.

[@SuperBoomshack]

What is this thing they call "writing letters"? lol

[@jimclark6256]

July 1961 ww2 barracks no AC , no fans, warm water with plenty of salt added to drink. We would have our long sleeve shirts covered with salt crystals when an hour. Hot weather index would reach 110 degrees, that's when the pt would began. Only a one and a half mile run, really, one day we had 7 ambulances carry our trainees to the hospital due to heat stroke. Things have really changed and not for the better.

[@Trve_Kvlt]

Now they have flag conditions, if it's black flag they don't let you do jack shit in BMT. And since its San Antonio in the middle of summer, we had black flags everyday.

[@johnsatterlee763]

I was there June/July 1980 was recycled 4 days but ended up in a better dorm. I was both a crow runner in early basic and dorm guard later on. Looks like there's much more to the confidence course in 88 than 80.

[@KM-kw2rt]

These guys were able to go to rec, bowling, movies, relax at chow, minimal yelling (I’m sure for the cameras)… in 2005 my entertainment was volunteering to take an element to the mini mall on Sunday so I could look at the graduate sisters and girlfriends

[@lookatchu6523]

Thank you for uploading this video. Such fond memories as I went through in September of 89. Did almost 30 years before I retired. This video misses a lot of what we went through but captures an era of training Airman. They couldn''t hit us back then but I remember getting hit with a chair and the TI asking "did I hit you" which I replied "Sir Airman Dipsh** reports, no sir the chair hit me". He responded with "you GD right the chair hit you". Miss those days.

[@ct-xw9dj]

Holy crap, that's hardcore. All my MTIs ever did was yell. Graduated a few days ago, and these videos hit hard after the fact. The old housing is still here, although it is getting demolished. We used to joke that living there and breathing in the mold and dust is breathing in the tradition of honor and legacy of Valor. Graduated with the Space Force and special warfare from the 326th

[@michaelbahnsen2888]

This brings back many memories. I was assigned the Dorm Chief position. I never really got screwed with by the TI's. All in all a very memorable experience. I loved my time in the USAF

[@trwagner1]

You were a lucky one as a dorn chief...

[@Evocati-Augusti]

I was a house mouse 93'

[@nathanarmstrong6630]

@Michael Bahnsen Our dorm chief came the second day after washing out of OCS. Still remember his name but he never told anyone in the Flight why he washed out. That was 1968.

[@restlessmind5770]

2nd squad leader.

[@joshuaclemens9939]

Hey that's me in the Purdue jacket 3705 1986 the guy getting yelled at is named brooks didn't make it got kicked out week 5.

[@craigdixon4113]

Joshua clemens was he a “joker”? Why? I was in the 23rd Jan-Feb ‘85. When to Lowery then Hill. I remember when we were marching on the parade area, we were marching along: this big black car came along side and stopped! Two men in black suits grabbed a guy and put him in the car. Forcefully too. The MTI just said keep going, “keep marching”. Later I heard the MTIs talking, it was the FBI with a warrant for him. Cool! I used to laugh myself to sleep every night. It was fun, I didn’t have a problem with basic, I was prior Army some things were the same. I’d never trade the memories. Thanks!

[@PeterNgola]

Joshua clemens why did you put his name out

[@justincase1445]

What’s the difference if his name was put out, or not? This is Air Force BMT, not covert ops training for the CIA. I wish I could remember half of the guys I went through basic with. As far as people getting kicked out, there’s at least one in every flight that just don’t make it and at least two others who got “recycled” back a couple of weeks to get in shape. The ones who get kicked out, at least when I went through, get an ELD, (Entry Level Discharge), which is no more severe than a pat on the back for giving it a go, a quick handshake and a ride to the airport for a one-way ticket back home. In fact, it won’t even show that you were in the military on a background check. Most who got kicked out simply couldn’t, or more to the point, REFUSED to adapt to Air Force standards... attitude, physical inability or injury. While waiting in formation to go to lunch at the chow hall, a baby flight was just behind us in line. One of the guys in the front row had one of his pockets unbuttoned. A passing T.I. saw it and demanded a 341, (an Air Force issued disciplinary slip that we all had to carry when we got busted for screwing up), and proceeded to chew the airman out. The T.I. got right in his face and was screaming at him, which is to be expected for such an infraction. The issue the airman had was the tiny drops of spittle that were landing on his face as the T.I. yelled at him. Every time a drop of spittle hit his face, he would flinch, causing the T.I. to become more aggressive. If that wasn’t bad enough, the airman reported to the T.I. that he didn’t like to be spit on, which was like pouring gasoline on an open flame. After about 30 seconds of abusive verbal discourse, the airman snapped. He took a step back, wound up and gave the T.I. an uppercut that knocked him out cold. The airman yelled out “I ASKED YOU NOT TO SPIT ON ME, SGT” over and over again as he cried. About that time, two T.I.s came running up from the Orderly Room to diffuse the situation. One attended to the downed T.I. while the other one walked the airman towards the building. There was no yelling from either responding T.I., but the one talking to the airman was explaining what was going to happen to him in a courteous, respectful tone... which the airman probably hadn’t heard from an NCO since his recruiter dropped him off at MEPS when he shipped out. The S.P.s arrived about 5 minutes later, cuffed the airman and could be heard reading him hi rights. All the airman could say was “I asked him not to spit on me, why did he keep spitting on me?” as he was led away. By the time we finally marched into the chow hall, the T.I. was still out cold. The airman must’ve rung his bell pretty good because we didn’t see that T.I. for the next month when we graduated. I’m sure the airman got something a little more serious than an ELD, and I’m willing to bet that there was some jail time involved. The thing is, is that when you have an aggressive training environment, there’s always going to be that “one guy” that might push back hard enough to make you reevaluate your tact.

[@kenreed2148]

Hey Clemens, I was with you. Jan. 29th, 1986, graduated March 13th, 1986. That is Flight 168, 3708 Squadron.

[@kenreed2148]

I remember Brooks. He was from NY.

[@greghach629]

Brings back some of my fondest memories. I likely would have been filmed here. I was at Lackland for Basic in Summer 1988. Such a great time1

[@deborahchesser7375]

I can still remember Skylark rec center, Trumper St etc 07th squadron flight 050 1990

[@skeezix8156]

I was there May-June of 1988. Unbelievably hot and that McDonald’s was right across the street from the barracks. 3703 squadron

[@STEVEdh8xy]

@@skeezix8156 Was the 03rd right next to the Valley Hi gate on Truemper? I was at the 3711th, 2nd from the gate. I remember seeing the golden arches from the PT area. July-Aug '88.

[@skeezix8156]

@@STEVEdh8xy oh man it was prob hotter when you were there. They had two blue flag days and we didn’t have to march. The 03rd was where the corners of the fence met and McD’s was right across the street. I don’t know the names of the streets. I’ve watched some videos of current trainees, it’s all different now

[@STEVEdh8xy]

​@@skeezix8156 You were probably right next to me, then. I knew Lackland pretty well, since I spent an additional 6 months there for tech school. Watching this video sure brought back a lot of memories.

[@OldChief3854]

Went through starting in May, 1990. The MTIs are way nicer in the video than when I was there. Video brings back a lot of memories. Have been back to Lackland twice but those trips were a long time ago. Still in the ANG, just made CMSgt. Would love to go back and walk around.

[@tonya.1997]

I went to BMT in December of 1999. I was in the 321st Flight 124. Dorms right near the gate and where you can see the McDonald’s from the dorms. I was talking in the dayroom by mistake and laughing when the TI came in. He pointed at me and said “you are going to be my freakin chow runner!” I was like WTH is that. I found out later my job was so important and where I would get the shark attack treatment! Fun times and most memorable. Retired now and grateful for all that experience. God bless you all that served!

[@KennethDAstonJr]

I went to BMT back in Nov "89", I was 25 yrs old, ended up doing 12 yrs in the USAF and separated 2001 and loved every minute of my career and BMT

[@SuperBoomshack]

Same here, went in 1988, got out in 2000.

[@jimclark6256]

At 35+ person speaking said " we were taught to load our clips with bullets" . Clips are top fed into a weapon, a magazine is botton fed. Help, I think I am going to be sick.

[@toddsmith1617]

Why didn't you stay in until you retired you only had 8 to go.

[@nf8374]

@@jimclark6256 I bought my own AR-15 when I was stationed at Pope AFB. One day I was giving a ride to a friend in my squadron. He saw an empty 30 round magazine on the floor of my car and said "This looks like part of a gun." In the late 70s/early 80s, we trained with M-16s that had .22 Long rifle Conversion kits (to save money)... When I got to Pope AFB, I was made a Classified Cargo Courier, so I had to re-qualify on the M-16. The 317 TAW Wing Commander required all personnel who had to carry the M-16 to fire real 5.56x45 rounds not .22s. In my opinion, his orders made a lot of sense. You practice with the same weapon you're going to carry. We had an SP fresh out of tech school who only handled the .22 caliber M-16. The first shot he fired from a real M-16, he through the weapon to the ground and said "It exploded!" I worked with a guy who was a USAF retiree, and spent time as a combat arms instructor. He said that the USAF finally stopped using .22 caliber conversion kits because it didn't prepare people to handle a weapon properly. He was training one young airman who cried the first time she fired a real M-16... I thought that shit only happens to candy-assed journalists!

[@tonyhelton2788]

Damn Brother. You were over half way to retirement and a monthly check for the rest of your life. Hope your separation was honorable and that you're making a good salary to make up for the retirement you would have gotten. Anyway, I really loved most of it.....depended on the day. Good Luck Flyboy. SMSgt Tony (Ret AF)

[@4562deedee1]

I went through BMT at Lackland in August 1988. I was 33 years old! I was a reservist with the 932 Aeromedical Squadron at Scott AFB, IL for the next 8 years. I was in an honor flight during basic.

[@michaelshaffer8451]

The oldest guy in our BMT flight was a 29yr old from TN. A buddy, and fellow musician of his, kept after him for a couple of years to join his unit’s reserve band. He was a high school math teacher by trade, but he REALLY wanted to join that band, so he hooked up with a local recruiter who literally scammed the hell out of him in order to get his signature. He was told that, since he was just going to be a musician, the 6 week BMT course would be more like a country club setting and even encouraged him to bring his bowling ball, golf clubs and tennis equipment with him to keep him occupied while the rest of us were outside, breaking our backs. When he got on the bus at the Welcome Center with all of his sports gear, we all started laughing. He was confused until we got to the 3706th BMTS and met our TI who made it explicitly clear that he wouldn’t see ANY of his stuff for the duration of BMT and to get his “Pogey-Bait” ass off of the bus and fall in with the rest of us before he “Carved a pound of bacon off of his back”. He was REAL salty for the first week of Basic and when anyone would ask him what he was thinking, all he’d say was “I’m gunna kill that sumbitch when I get back to TN!!!”. Instead of calling his wife for his first 30 second phone call home that they give you on your 2nd or 3rd day, he called his reservist buddy and proceeded to rip him a new one until the TI released the call and dragged him out of the phone booth.😂

[@62heliman]

Wow ti funny, what ever happened to thus guy?

[@GhostsTogehter]

This is so chill compared to 2019 footage.

[@Rob-bo7yn]

Keep in mind the Air Force produced this video so it's hardly an accurate representation of how BMTS really was. Not saying it was hard, but there was a whole lot more yelling and intimidation in the first month, and then if someone screwed something up we all got yelled at.

[@johngardner3530]

Started my 22 year career on 10 March 88. Assigned to 3703rd. At 6’, 205lbs, totally scared of a 5’2” Senior TI Ssgt Michelle Bayless. Turned out she was one of the coolest persons I ever met in the AF. Video brought back a lot of great memories. Still have a set of fatigues with couple 341’s neatly folded in the pockets in my souvenir collection. Have a nephew that joined a couple years ago. Although the training has become more technical, the “culture” unfortunately seems to have softened.

[@skeezix8156]

341’s, holy hell brother I’d forgotten all about those. Went to Lackland in May of ‘88, 3703rd also. Could smell the McD’s in the evening

[@Joeylikecoffee]

I was born in 88. Joined the AF in 2012, and this is exactly how my dorm looked.

[@TrueHighlander_Scotland]

Thank you Queen Beach for posting this video! I entered BMTS in April 1980 and went through 2 periods of enlistment (1980-1992 and then 2003-2015) with several periods in between on active duty making a total of 28 years USAF retiring in 2015 at Vandenberg AFB, California. Sorry, but we didn't have any of this fun stuff when I graduated from the (then) 3702nd (Second to None) BMTS in May 1980. Also I took my oath of enlistment at MEPS prior to arrival at BMTS and was called an Airman from Day 1 of my 6 weeks of training. Congratulations to all the new Airmen of the greatest Air Force on Earth!

[@62heliman]

What was your age when you did 2nd enlistment? BMTS may 1984 3701st. Ft 371.

[@ottomorris8007]

Wow! This brings back memories.😊. I was at Lackland in December 1988, and I think they had just changed the uniforms because our BDU’s were Camos. I loved the Confidence Course and I didn’t mind doing KP, I actually volunteered to work in the kitchen twice. 😊

[@outlaw67111]

December 14th 1987. Changed my life forever. Stayed for 6 years. Regret getting out should have stayed in. I miss it.

[@lyonanddebanderson4418]

Holly cow does this bring back memories of 1987. Flt. 3707, Looking back it was best decision I ever made. I would like to give a shout out to all TI's, THANK YOU FOR THE PERSON YOU HAVE MADE ME.

[@arbuilder7383]

HA! I was in the 3707 in 86!! My TI was SSG Southard.

[@Ted_Stryker]

Nice to see they even have a working mime to greet you...

[@JL-wg4ss]

I went through this joyful experience in Jan 1988. I didn't believe I could do it. I retired from the Air Force in 2009. I don't remember much other than the bed that sagged almost to the floor.

[@SuperBoomshack]

I hated the heavy green wool blankets that we had to sleep under even though it was 90 degrees in the barracks🤣

[@geraldwilson681]

I went through Lackland from July 88 to September 88. 3701st SSgt. Chanslor and Sgt. Bell. Found out John Chanslor who was from Oklahoma passed away in 2014. May he rest in peace!!

[@nohandleforme....]

Thanks for sharing this video. It brought back a lot of memories... some good, some not so good. LOL But all in all, a great experience.

[@albertowen1025]

I did my BMT at Lackland in August of 1986. 3743rd Squadron, Flight R376. MTIs were TSgt Paul Hofmann, SSgt Diane Goodrich, SSgt Lauer (who got booted out of our squad due to some very unsavory rumors - whether that was true or not, but he was never seen again after week 2), and Sgt (freshly-minted NCO) Rafael Blanco. Hofmann was very tight and strict, by-the-book, but everyone came to respect him for all that he did for the name of honor and discipline of our flight. Wish I would have stayed in contact with him during my enlistment. Goodrich was more of his mirror, but more sarcastic and had a very, very bad pronoucation of S-words when yelling (shit was th-itt) commands and everyone was "hee-ro" to her. Could never please her, even on the best of days. Lauer was just an all-around bully and smart-ass, the punk from the neighborhood who had no friends or those who were looked at him with comtempt because he was just so stuck on himself, and Blanco, well, he was just Blanco. An excellent Ozzie Guillen (former shortshop and manager of the Chicago White Sox) lookalike, tried to be initimidating when he could but if you caught him at the right moment at the right time, his voice would squeak, but you dared not laugh. To me, that was the hardest six weeks I ever had until I turned 40 in 2007, but I would do BMT all over again if I could.

[@Ted1775]

March - April 1994 in BMT🇺🇸 So thankful, and so much that I would love to do over. I am so thankful to have served.

[@jeffreywaters5372]

I remember my Air force recruiter showing me this video back in 88

[@paulhinson8030]

The sound of taps on our TIs shoes. First thing we heard once we arrived to our squadron and got out of the bus that brought us from the airport and were standing at attention. Late at night. 14 July 1982.

[@missayawk]

Paul Hinson Can't forget the taps.We had a guy in our flight ( Phippard) who could replicate that sound with his mouth.He ALWAYS used to catch us off guard.Good times in 3708 Sep/Oct 1981....Song: " Super Freak" by Rick James

[@almathewson9993]

Yep remember it well...stand at some form of attention and then hearing click....click....click...and then our TI blasting all of us for having the audacity to enlist in HIS Air Force

[@aren4319]

I went to bmt earlier this year (2017) the training has changed a lot.

[@Douknowgregg]

The dorms haven't

[@Trve_Kvlt]

@@Douknowgregg My squadron was in the newest squadron buidling, I don't remember when it was built. But the new squadron buildings were called "Disneyland" for a reason. The old buildings got named "Alcatraz" and generally had better food for some reason.

[@gsdlvr123]

I stated basic on Aug 6 1984 (my 22nd birthday)...SRA Vanbuskirk (sp?) and TSGT Paunchocano (sp?) 2 of the 3 DIs. . I went from there to Chanute AFB and then to Homestead AFB. I only spent 6 years in but it was a TERRIFIC experience!!!

[@timparkin8859]

Went through right before this footage was taken. 29 Jun - 11 Aug 1988, 3723 BMTS. Brings back many memories.

[@jamesbaldwin2696]

I entered Lackland in March 1988. I spent 10 years in the Air Force. It was a ride for sure. It's so much different now.

[@MHOification]

Better or worse? And why?

[@BW12149]

I was there in early 1973. The TIs still wore brown “ smoky” hats. When the bus arrived one of them came on the bus and started yelling at us. It was about 1am. Got fed, then separated into squadron and flights. 3727 BST, and flight 0599. The preceding flight upon leaving short sheeted every bed. Tough getting into them. Our lead TI was a hoot. He was tough but very funny. As time went on he relaxed quite a bit, but still was tough. I was assigned as a squad leader, and dealing with 17-19 yr old kids who’ve never left home was difficult. But overall basic training was a blast. I actually enjoyed it.

[@AbsolutelyJamaican]

I went through basic training Dec 1988 at Lackland. Such memories...

[@Rob-bo7yn]

I was there from Nov 14, 1988 to Dec. 29, 1988. Probably saw your flight at some point in passing.

[@AbsolutelyJamaican]

@@Rob-bo7yn wow. That’s amazing!

[@timothywilke7252]

Went to basic March 1989, 3701st FLT 355.."Ought to be in Hollywood"!!! Glad I just missed those pickle uniforms..

[@62heliman]

May 1984 3701st flt 371, lead, follow or get out of the way...

[@ShermanBrady-r1o]

I never remember our TI inspection of our clothing being this quiet. I had a female TI and she would yell at just about everyone at the beginning of our inspection in the first few weeks of Basic and then she chilled out but we knew by then exactly what we were expected to do.

[@kirkdecker6228]

Thanks for the video. I was at BMT in Dec 1984. Squadron 3707, Flt 080. It lightly snowed there for a couple of days and the whole base shut down. Went to Chanute AFB right after for tech school.

[@rapman5363]

Don’t shoot ‘em. Chanute ‘em !!

[@mdmarko]

Went through BMT June-August 1974. Lived in the old WWII barracks, not air-conditioned. When this was made in 1988 was a captain at Randolph AFB, ATC Headquarters, on the other side of town. When we were in basic training were allowed to use the rec center a couple of times.

[@eelyeoj5799]

I was there Dec. 1990. Brings back memories.

[@Jimthefurryworm]

I went through there in 1984.... now both of my sons went through, one in 2008 and the other in 2014.... I told them it was mainly a mind game of which it was... since then i have retired but went all over the world and had some great friends, some of whom died serving in Desert Storm with me.

[@WilliamWiblishauser]

I took Basic at Lackland AFB, February 1968 till April 1968, 3709 BMTS Flight 214, Retired 1 Sep 1992 as a MSgt.

[@OVERHERE-OVERHERE]

Proud and lucky to have been called An USAF AIRMAN 1989-84,wish I had Been a Lifer,Bless Our Troops...Amen.

[@SuperBoomshack]

I had to cut grass with scissors at Lackland

[@tewksburydriver8624]

@@SuperBoomshack Did that in the Army many times.

[@jaybrown3953]

I was there December 18,1981, never will forget, late arrivals K-9 checked all luggage. Made it with no problems, would definitely do it again. Stayed at Lackland for Security Police training.

[@Tontyh]

Same time here what squadron and flight

[@alexadam353]

I enlisted in Feb 1964 and had SSgt Simmons as my TI. He was a Strong Black man. What a Great TI and example of USAF Professionalism. If a recruit screwed up, he would say, not SHOUT, "Get your head out of your ass boy." That's it! With his imposing demeanor he Commanded Respect! No need to intimidate and berate the young airmen. His associate TI was Airman First Class Johnson. He was the opposite. He would SCREAM, SHOUT and CURSE when SS Simmons wasn't around but one morning SS Simmons put him in his place. I really Love America and enjoyed my service to our Country in the USAF.

[@mactrak7997]

Yea 3703! I went through in 1980; a memorable time but now all those old dorms are gone as I understand! Now it's all new dorms and new procedures, but if had to do over, I would!

[@theprinceofdarkness4]

mactrak7 they still use the old dorms, only 3 training squadrons use them.

[@refntx5562]

I was in the 3703, Jan 16, 1987. Spent 22yrs in the Air Force with 2 deployments to Iraq. I'd do it all over too.

[@dewidmt]

3701..but we had to call it the 3701st.....Jan. 1984

[@mactrak7997]

True, for us thirty seven o third.

[@ottomorris8007]

@@refntx5562 I was in 3703 as well Dec ‘88 - Jan ‘89.

[@deltonmcclary7341]

What's that Security Forces guy doing in the first few seconds... thought he was waving cars on, but there was only that one lol

[@billschlafly4107]

Back in the day, security forces would give authorized personnel a set of stickers to place on the windshield. During normal operations, they would see the sticker as you approached and waive you in. No stopping. That all changed after nine eleven.

[@grantkoeller8911]

I attended USAF Basic in 03 Oct 1988, and was assigned to the Drum and Bugle Corps as lead Snare Drummer. After Basic, I went direct duty to Chanute AFB illinois, 1988-1991, for 3 years, The 505th USAF Band of the Midwest. Then got orders to Hanscom AFB Mass in Boston, Band of Liberty, from 1991 to 2002 , Next assignment was Yokota AB Tokyo Japan, USAF Band of the Pacific/Asia, the Pacific Showcase, My last assignment was at Wright Patterson, Dayton, Ohio.with the USAF Band of Flight. 2006-2011. I served in the USAF Bands, on Alto and Tenor Sax for a total of 23 years. I retired Aug 2011.

[@SuperBoomshack]

I was the latrine queen in late 1988, it sucked

[@elwoodmcdougal5406]

Grant Koeller I went Drum and Bugle Corps too... IMHO, the ONLY way to go in basic. I remember clearly the day the guy from DBC showed up in our day room to ask for volunteers. Mine was the first hand up and I remember clearly the ridicule I received from my T.I. as I signed the transfer paperwork to leave. I definitely made the right choice.

[@62heliman]

Nice

[@grantkoeller8911]

@@elwoodmcdougal5406 yes me too, My old unit were a bunch of knuckle heads.I was glad to leave.

[@staceynorman3920]

Went thru in 88 and retired in 08. The best line was when they were doing the rope jump....some get out there and be somebody! Classic! Nothing like the Air Force back then.

[@jacarter79]

I went to Marine Corps boot camp in 1999. I always thought the Air Force had it soooooo much easier that us and judging from this video I can see it was more laid back but I can' also see the similarities. We did the same kind of wall locker inspections, made the beds the same, had the exact same floor buffer. Was just a lot louder

[@Ted_Stryker]

You had wall lockers in boot camp? Were you San Diego or Parris Island? What platoon/ Series were you?

[@tewksburydriver8624]

I smell BS

[@gonefishing9225]

Memories...sq 3701 flt 115. Jan 1986 great times. The older you get the more you wish you were back in bmt.

[@62heliman]

3701st ft371 1984. Lead, follow or get out of the way...our motto. I

[@salemeister5478]

What’s crazy is that some of those dorm buildings in the video are still there

[@philrose7716]

Brings back fond memories. Graduation December 1970 3708 BMTS Flt 1241.

[@billschlafly4107]

IIRC I was in squadron 3703, flight 738. Graduated in Mid October 1988. Time flies!

[@LannyBenny]

I watched this before BMT in 1989.

[@nasiriyah110]

Same here. My dad's bank teller's son went through basic in in 88 and she loaned him the tape. I must have watched this 15 times on VHS before I shipped out in August of 89. The music is just as bad as I remembered it 30 years ago!

[@SuperBoomshack]

I stocked up on NES games from the BX in 1989 and 1990

[@jaytube2112]

I love the "state of the art" stuff back then that is probably obsolete now. Like the boom boxes at the exchange.

[@macski6924]

I will never forget the smell in that uniform issue room.

[@bobsit1945]

Went through in late 1964, most of the new Barracks have already been built. But, went through the old WW2 Barracks, think that we were the last Squadron in the wooden Barracks. Started off in an 8 week Flight but I had my head up my butt while in that Flight and got set back to a 6 week Flight. Ended up being a Medic, and enjoyed my four years in, but go out for a few months in 1968 and got a good paying job (for that time) as a Medical Security Guard at a Chemical Factory (kind of a predecessor of EMT's) in my hometown of Niagara Falls. Quickly became bored and tried to get back in the Medic (902) field was over-manned. January 1969 enlisted in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman Retired in January 1988, while in I did two tours with the Marines, (Navy provides Medical, Dental and Religious personnel to the Marines after special training and wear their uniforms with Navy stripes while with them after special training). Extremely proud of my time with all three services

[@MrBikercat]

nope, in 75 was in the old korean barracks my flight consisted of active, national guards, and reservists. there are coed flights now? amazing how thins have changed.

[@saltyassassin]

Reported for BMT in June of 1990. TI’s we’re TSgt Frederickson, SSgt Hawkins & Sgt Mohr. Flight 3711. I don’t know if they were on their best behavior for this video…. but my TI’s spit FIRE!! No Mercy!! I loved every minute of it!! Too bad they can’t cuss anymore…. Nothing is more creative than a TI’s vulgar vocabulary 😂 My TI’s would come in at 3am drunk as a skunk, with fellow drunk TI friends from other squadrons. They would wreck havoc! 🤣 Good times!

[@mssande211]

"It was a lonely, desolate place covered by mesquite and crawling with rattlesnakes."...

[@elwoodmcdougal5406]

M Never saw a rattlesnake during my time at Lackland, but there was no shortage of fire ants.

[@nf8374]

@@elwoodmcdougal5406 Our TI' warned us about the fire ants. His son was, who was a toddler was attacked by a swarm of fire ants and almost died

[@derekporupsky8543]

Wow so low keyed and laid back compared to my time at Parris Island!!! We couldnt do anything unless told to do so, and no rec time.

[@jphamon8489]

It's crazy how some parts are identical to how it's done today and other parts have completely changed.

[@paulhinson8030]

This obstacle course group could be defeated by 3rd graders playing at recess I'm afraid. Basic has been amped up now with two additional weeks of training.

[@SuperBoomshack]

I was yelled at by my TI for having my ass in the air when climbing over the barrels, lol

[@matthewhickman-jackson9550]

Yeah- I was so disappointed with the confidence course.

[@seanwhipkey1452]

I was there October 28,1988. Ssgt. Brown and Ssgt. Perez. A lot of memories.

[@carreon36]

I remember doing going through those yellow bars, I went through the course without a problem

[@jimclark6256]

Rec room, bowling alley, are you kidding me?

[@terrancej4925]

I went through BMT in Feb. 88 and there were no visits to a rec room or bowling alley. WTF !!!!

[@Gonastan2313]

@@terrancej4925 I went to basic Feb 88 as well. The 06. Worst thing was the hazing by some of the older flights. Looking back wasn't as bad as it seemed though. One horror story in the hazing and on another flight someone tried committing suicide by drinking the shoe polish which put him in critical condition with organ failure. Don't know if he survived or not.

[@robertrosenheim5081]

Went through in `76. This is different by far!

[@joecastillo7638]

hell yeah Robert Rosenheim! Very different! I went through in '74 and those pricks in Clothing Issue yelled "YOU HAVE 2 SECONDS TO RIP THE PACKET OF T-SHIRTS AND PUT ONE ON. HURRY THE F--K UP!!" One Staff told one of our guys, "you smirk one more time and I"ll take ya out back and beat the f--kin' shit outta you!"

[@MAScurious]

I was there in April 1989, 3703 Squadron Flt 431, Was there from April 25 to June 6th . I didn't know at the time but just over a year later i deployed to Shaik 'isa Ab Bahrain in August of 1990. Seeing this and other videos brings back memories of whhat is was like there. At the time, it was so fresh, new, and sometimes stressful! I served 8 years Active duty and got out honorably. Anyone else served im flt 431? Let me know, thanks!

[@corrinehuffman784]

I’m laughing bc I’m watching this like it’s a movie . Went through bmt ‘18

[@andressanchez5240]

Went to basic in February of 71, went through 8 weeks of basic training, I remember that if you didn't get out of your rack ( bed ) the D I would grab the center of your rack and flip you over, after that you never over slept, and all the short guys were picked out to be road guards for the flight and I was one of those road guards, I remember the D I'd yelling as we approached a street crossing " road guards out, road guards in, and we had to run to street crossing to protect the flight from getting hit, remember the confidence course February 71 to May 74 , proud to have served was a supply specialist.

[@dewidmt]

Went through in Jan. 1984...stayed for 20 years! That music is horrific. And the wall of boom boxes in the BX? That was my first purchase after BMT, listened to two tapes on the bus from Lackland to Sheppard for Tech school, Elton John and The Pretenders....lol

[@scottgoodrich5825]

Brings back memories!

[@paulhinson8030]

What a joke our obstacle course was at Lackland in 1982, August heat. Felt good going into the water on one obstacle though and the Vietnam era C rations were a delight afterwards.

[@jimclark6256]

In 61 we were eating ww2 c rations, eggs were in cool storage for 20 years or more. Preferred the k rations.

[@EagleTwo758]

Hinson Who was your TI? What months were you there? If you are who I think you are there in March '82?

[@danmilosevich]

1976 for me. Retired in 95 as was able to take early retirement. So many changes.

[@bikescarsandeverythinginbe7309]

January 76 here, it snowed while I was there. Didn’t realize it snowed in Texas.

[@danmilosevich]

@@bikescarsandeverythinginbe7309 March for me.

[@ebinecksdee9872]

Good to know the barber shop layout hasn't changed for 32 years

[@michaelstern8657]

I’ve got this same video (1988), except for the Confidence Course portion, which is personalized for each individual flight. However, I did notice these flights wearing their boots but I’m pretty sure that my flight wore tennis shoes.

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

I remember getting there early a.m. hours, getting processed and going to bed at like 1-2 a.m., others shuffling in during the night. I was in top bunk facing the lockers when we got woke up at 5 and I remember thinking...those windows must be another room or something, there's no way those windows are for the outside and they're getting us up before the sun comes up. Oh how wrong I was. Sept. 89', no regrets joining...none. It was great.

[@noted_insolence1894]

I don't understand how anyone, at any time, under any plethora of mental conditions, could POSSIBLY select this "music"..........

[@PeterNgola]

God I love that vintage background music.

[@buddyollie7400]

MrAllthatnmore it's horrible lol

[@elwoodmcdougal5406]

MrAllthatnmore I got the exact same VHS tape after basic. The ONLY difference is footage of the confidence course, which was flight specific. My dad was a WWII veteran and got a good belly laugh after watching it. I asked him what was so funny and all he said was “You have NO idea the misery of what you were spared”. I have no doubt he what he experienced was much more difficult than what I went through.

[@tonyhelton2788]

I went to BMTS at Lackland AFB on January 8, 1981.....things sure have changed. I think we were possibly the last recruits to get the old school, brown boot Training Instructors (TI). Ours was TSgt Russell! This dude was probably the last of the real Vietnam Veterans and was tough as nails. TSgt Russell was 6'2", had huge arms and looked a lot like Clint Eastwood. My favorite part of basic training is when TSgt Russell would show up at the dormitory around 3:00 am, with blood shot eyes and breath smelling like some cheap whiskey. He would come in, turn on all the lights and start screaming to the top of his lungs to get your ass up and get the hell out. He would make us all go out the back while he went crazy and destroyed the dormitory. I literally watched him sling those heavy metal prison style bunks all over the place. Once he had us outside and in formation, he would scream at us to get our asses back in there and gave us 3 minutes to get the dorm back in inspection order. Of course this was virtually impossible, but we gave it our best shot. Like I said, this was my favorite part. While some guys were scared to death I was laughing and enjoying every minute of it because I realized he was drunk as hell.....OMG. I guess he had a bad day or got pissed off at his wife or whatever and would take it out on us. By the way, for those in the know, I only got one AF Form 241 pulled by TSgt Russell. He asked me for my Money List and I had to tell him I did not have one. When he asked why, I told him that we were instructed to use our common sense and since I did not have any money I didn't bother to make a money list. He of course said I will make one because he said to make one and pulled a AF Form 241. So, I made a Money List.....20 Dollar Bills - 0, 10 Dollar Bills - 0 and so forth.....I'm sure you get the picture. Anyway, I still have the wallet I bought at the BX in basic training and it still has 2 AF Form 241s and my Airman's Club card in it.....ain't that some shit. Anyways, things sure have changed. I saw good ole Technical Sergeant Russell slam a few knuckle heads against the lockers and even smack a few. Most of that was for lying and stealing.....the one thief in our flight, that got caught, was immediately discharged. You could do some really stupid shit, but lying and stealing was cause for kicking your dumbass out of there. The guys that took pictures of their junk and slide them under the door to the girls dormitory didn't really get into that much trouble. Of course we all got our asses chewed, but in the end no one was discharged for that little prank. I only time I talked back to TSgt Russell was on day 7. I was in the latrine (rest room for civilians) when he told everyone to get in the day room. I was trying to do a good ole #2 when TSgt Russell slammed open the door and said, "Whoever's in here jacking off get your ass in the day room now!!" I was sitting there sweating and straining with a gut ache trying to defecate for the first time since arriving to Lackland AFB 7 days ago. Believe it or not, I yelled back, "This is Airman Helton and I am NOT jacking off, I'm trying to take a dump!!" TSgt Russell just yelled, "Well, hurry your ass up!" and that was that. Several other guys told me later that the stress did the same thing to them. To this day I think about all that damn food I had consumed during those 7 days and how stopped I was. I guess I wasn't the first recruit TSgt Russell saw with the same issue.....I really respected that man for letting it slide. More than likely he is probably gone by now, but he really and truly did have a lasting affect on me and I shall never forget him. I hope he at least made Master Sergeant before he retired, but he did not seem like the type of guy who gave one iota about rank. I think he would have been proud to see me pin on Senior Master Sergeant before I retired after spending over half my life in the Air Force at that time. Unfortunately, I hurt my back severely and decided to retire with 24 years, 23 days and wake up and in all honesty I was heart broken. The Air Force fitted me like a glove and as a man of Christ I always tried to use a Servant Leadership style where I would do my best to help everyone who needed it and I worked hard and studied hard to do my very best. I figured if I did my best no one would or could ever ask more from me than that!! My greatest accomplishments during my time in the Air Force was helping other achieved their goals and help them live up to their full potential. But like I said, "Things have changed and that was the only constant in the Air Force, constant change." You name it, uniforms, regulations, discipline and especially the people and most of it not for the better in my eyes. If it ain't broken, don't try fixing it! Well, God only knows what the hell in going on in the Air Force today. I guess some of the guys can now marry one another to collect separate rations and get other benefits of marriage and they probably had to re-write the UCMJ to allow sodomy. I guess some of the strongest women recruits now have breasts and male genitals! I'm just not sure what dormitory they put these recruits in during basic training. What was unlawful when I entered is probably promoted now and I guess I retired just in time, before they made it mandatory. Anyways, to all my Fly Boy buddies, good luck and God bless the U.S. Air Force. Whatever you do, always be respectful and maintain your military bearings and professionalism and keep them flying. Never forget you took an oath on defend the "United States Constitution" against all enemies and any order that is contrary to our Constitution is unlawful. Remember, your job is to serve and protect the people of our great nation and ensure that generations of American will be afforded their God given rights that are stated in our Constitution. Please remember to salute our flag and honor those men and women that came before you and gave their lives to perpetuate our Constitution and it's Amendments. Lastly, our Flag isn't just a piece of material, it is a symbol of all the decent men and women of our nation and their sacrifices to ensure the freedoms granted in our Constitution will be maintained, honored and respected for generations to come. Regardless of what is happening around you, remember to follow your heart and let our Constitution be your guide. In the end I guess it doesn't matter who or what you are, it is what you do and how you do it. If you're doing your best to do what is right is all anyone can ever ask of you. So go ahead and lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.

[@uredskivid]

F 'n Aye Brother ! I graduated April 1974 and things sure have changed . Thanks for all the good thoughts and God bless you

[@jeffmaag6445]

Thanks for the memories Tony. I was bunked right next to you.

[@tonyhelton2788]

@@jeffmaag6445 Holy Shit! JJ Maag. It that really you? Did you stick around and retire or did you get out earlier? Regardless, nice to hear from you. You are the first person I have had any contact with since basic. God speed. By the way, you have a great memory. I couldn't remember that if my life depended on it.

[@tonyhelton2788]

@@jeffmaag6445 By the way, I really want to know if you remember TSgt Russell coming in that early morning, drunk as a skunk, destroying the place and terrorizing us? I remember laughing my butt off then because when I ran by TSgt Russell he reeked of whiskey. I always assumed he was pissed at his wife or someone and took it out on us.

[@jeffmaag6445]

@@tonyhelton2788 I do remember that and also the "fire drill" that wiped both bays out. "You have 10 fucking minutes to get this in inspection order"

[@brentedgar3466]

I went to Marine boot camp in 1987-awww.....this is a little different.

[@genewhite9408]

Hey bren, maybe you and the other sailor who played soldier can cuddle up on the couch together sometime. RT/X thinks you're cute, he's just shy.

[@Ted_Stryker]

I went in 2001. Had a family member join the Air Force shortly after and, yeah, it's a little different. Lol But, it's definitely by design.

[@lastcall170]

I was there 1981...Tech.Sgt. Whitley was my instructor. They sure left out the screaming ...intimidation.....endless marching in the heat. Extensive classroom training.After 6 weeks most guys could only think about the female recruits. Lol.

[@cm1133]

I met a girl at a Air Guard briefing in week 2. She wrote me a few days later. We wrote letters to each other through out BMT. The letters quickly became quite sexual. After we both went to separate Tech Schools, we rendezvoused at a hotel in Omaha Nebraska. We didn’t leave that room all week long! Seven months without sexual contact with the opposite sex was brutal. I was so happy to be done with BMT and Tech School. She and I dated about a year. The long distance relationship became too much of an emotional burden for her. It was fun while it lasted.

[@Me-ub2nj]

Yep it was like this in 84. 😃 Good times and best decision I've ever made. 20 years and the coveted blue ID.

[@mjisurdad]

old heads commenting on all the new videos saying how easy it has gotten when its exactly the same then as it is now.

[@NorCalPhil]

I went through BMT in July-August of 97 and while some of this was familiar, like the confidence course, very little else was like what I went through. A rec center during BMT? There was very little to no talking during chow.Thank god we had BDU’s though and not the pickles. Lol

[@KM-kw2rt]

2005 - absolutely no talking. Just the sound of silverware and TIs yelling

[@sarahgeloneck4857]

I hope to join the Air Force in the near future.

[@Silverdew125]

did you?

[@brianifitness3656]

Did you?

[@lincbond442]

Total 80's soundtrack. Casey Kasem would be proud.

[@SuperBoomshack]

Some naked guy sitting in his basement playing this on a Casio, lol

[@elwoodmcdougal5406]

SuperBoomshack HA HA HA... stole my thunder!😂

[@earljenkins6570]

We didn't get to be called Airmen until graduation. TF!!!

[@nasiriyah110]

We were called Airmen as soon as we got off that bus. Seems like the enlistment oath was good enough for us AND the Air Force. Nowadays you can't move for all the different creeds and coins being tossed around.

[@jimclark6256]

We were called dips---s from day one until we graduated in 1961. Can't have the little cream puffs feeling hurt now.

[@EagleTwo758]

@@jimclark6256 ain't that truth

[@josiefw9395]

you were an AB (Airmen Basic) at that point

[@drejones1823]

We were rainbows.

[@hafeya]

The old style service dress and wheel caps! Back when the AF actually looked like we were military

[@tomgraham7755]

I attended basic training Dec 1968 and 1969 Feb sent to Chanute tech school .

[@franksisneros4321]

Did he say that new air conditioned barracks in 1960. I must have gone to a different Lackland. In 1964 we lived in old WWII barracks. I see that the TI’s are wearing the mount me hats. In 1964 they wore round starched hats.

[@blattmang82]

27:41 is he wearing sunglasses on the confidence course? They sure don't look like the Birth Control Goggles, maybe it's the lighting.

[@delvindelvintumbling8452]

Air Force rules

[@josemoreno3334]

I went there in August 1979. Hot and humid . 6 weeks went quick. Then off to Shepperd AFB for for tech training to be a telephone linesmen.

[@SuperBoomshack]

Your name is Airman! lol

[@WhereNerdyisCool]

Amazing find I was there in June of 88

[@phishersmith7592]

does anyone else remember getting to go to a bowling alley or rec center while at bmt? yeah, me neither.

[@MKE_Mike]

I did in '87, we had one day of base liberty.

[@RTannamal]

Rec Center one time for a couple of hours in 89.

[@katesmith8010]

We had the Chappraelle, where we would meet Airmen from our Brother Flights. Then as “couples” happened they would spend Sundays together at Church.

[@ottomorris8007]

Yeah, I do. Occasionally my Flight actually earned a chance to have some fun and when we did some of us went bowling at the bowling alley. I still remember the one time we were bowling and “God Bless the USA” started playing and everyone in the place starred singing the song. It was a moment of pure unity that I’ll never forget.

[@John-rh1rr]

They played SUPERFREAK by Rick James all the time at the rec center in oct 1981

[@drewkohler5670]

3723 BMTS Flight 409 1990 and proud of it.

[@blorpinino999]

June-July 93...TSgT. Gonzalez was my TI...

[@trwagner1]

I don't recall that we had the luxury of picking out our clothing issue.

[@cycleguy1943]

Been there done that BMTS 3723/FLT035 in Jan-Feb ‘83..Oh the memories..NOW SON,GIVE ME A 34!!!SALUTE🇺🇸👍

[@matthewmcmahon9263]

Omg even the Chapel's the same as the old baracks in 2019 lol

[@japonte173]

i thought back in the day this would be tougher.. i did this 3 years ago and even when being filmed MTIs were WAY louder than this. and he just let them walk through his center aisle? unreal

[@RTannamal]

Yeah, I thought the same thing...."the center isle is MINE!" LOL