How Air Force Boot Camp Instructors Are Trained | Boot Camp | Business Insider

Military training instructors are responsible for training new recruits at the United States Air Force's 7 ½-week basic military training. But before they're certified to train new recruits in boot camp, they must graduate from the eight-week military training instructor school. Business Insider spent four days with future MTIs as they relearned military basics, trained their command voice, and met the physical qualifications to don the iconic campaign cover and prepare the next generation of airmen.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:04 - Command Voice
05:36 - Drill
08:50 - Physical Training
10:30 - Dorm Lessons
12:47 - Graduation
13:32 - Credits
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How Air Force Boot Camp Instructors Are Trained | Boot Camp | Business Insider

[@Billyjoebob420]

I really like business insiders videos about the military and such. It really gives a lot of insight about what it’s like In the armed forces.

[@MarioMastar]

It's good they include the yelling as well. We all know it happens but comparing it to the videos of the 1940s where they sugar coated everything and then you sign up, they close the door and beat you with a smirk like it's the 1800s, at least now we know what to expect coming in and it holds them accountable. There's a difference between training and abuse and it all starts with transparency.

[@ItzBwo]

Agree! I’ve learned a ton from these videos

[@TTS-TP]

​@@MarioMastarso squishy. My Marine Corps boot camp would probably make some of these instructors cry

[@gordonfraser2253]

Yes its interesting to know how most evil american terrorists of world are put in the cover of uniform !!

[@asian_kyle_nyc]

it doesnt btw i was actually there when this happened

[@mattmartinez4380]

They’re hard on you but man, my flight MTI brought out a side of me I haven’t seen since playing sports 5-6 years ago. Never been more motivated in my life. Thank you Tsgt Alba.

[@warlikebiscuit9113]

You were Wolfpack? Me too

[@DrLazy-mp3fv]

@@warlikebiscuit9113same here 331st wolf pack best squadron in bmt

[@warlikebiscuit9113]

@@DrLazy-mp3fv wolf pack . Lead the way

[@DrLazy-mp3fv]

Lead the Way Wolf pack

[@DrLazy-mp3fv]

@@warlikebiscuit9113what stair well were u in

[@Cam-bk4eg]

Yooo that’s my MTI yelling at my wingman in the beginning 💀💀💀

[@AlexJoseph-qd3yx]

Was that your flight?

[@Cam-bk4eg]

@@AlexJoseph-qd3yxyep

[@pilesofcotton6305]

I'm in tech school with Peraza 😭😭😭

[@kossowww]

Hi pyles ;)

[@kd_ss]

Man, I hope I don’t get him, I couldn’t not crack a smirk. I have to let that go 😭

[@AngryCops]

I have feelings about this. Many feelings

[@Cyborg2101]

It’d be a shame if you did a reaction to this…a real shame

[@bpmatty5123]

😂

[@danielschultz6470]

maybe it deserves a video....

[@ecg3152]

Would be an interesting video reaction 👀

[@jeremycortese]

I’d be curious if you’d be contemplating making a reaction video to this, brother! Lol.

[@amezrismommigower6839]

"Don't run, just move with a sense of urgency" I am totally using that with my child in the morning when getting ready.

[@roberthartfield5195]

TSgt Maskule (female MTI in many of these clips) was my MTI at BMT. Easily the most terrifying woman I’ve ever met but was always very professional at her job.

[@edwardhalterman9371]

What flight were you?

[@mikayla7612]

Bro same! She was really good though

[@freesupremebelts6292]

Fun fact: I was in flight 137 which was her first flight and we ended up winning top flight by a landslide

[@graciebrunnet5610]

She is one of the best MTIs in the 321st, no question about it.

[@doctorouroboros]

@@freesupremebelts6292 oh yeah, we lost Commanders Excellence by 0.2 points, but she was a legend and didn’t smoke us for it! We were her second ever flight :)))))

[@bradchoi662]

active airman now, a former ROK army SGT, but, I learned so valuable leadership from my MTI, Brittany Lepchenske, a security forces badass female combat veteran, I was highly impressed with their system, I didn't know the exact training how the MTI trained, thanks for the video,

[@anthonylim151]

welcome to the better side ROKA.

[@zusf4]

she was my flight mti also ! great instructor and a real bad ass. you can tell she’s been through some shit ! GUIDE ON 350 !

[@asherz8202]

she was my mti as well she was brand new and i was one of her flight element leaders. flight 253

[@boohere2]

Thank you for your service sir!!

[@LA_CD]

I went to basic with a former ROK soldier, his drill was on point! HOOYAH BULLDOGS!

[@joaochristhiansen1442]

My MTI SSgt Span is the kind of leader that I will admire as a whole model for the rest of my life. Thank you for everything Sir!

[@garrinhunt7792]

Good ol’ 321st. Some good instructors in this video! It was the best 3.5 years of my career 💪🏾

[@t-rev1795]

Man, you're just everywhere

[@jersey.spotter]

MTI’s were hard and harsh at times but they were some of the best leaders i’ve met in my life

[@Chris-rt7ph]

Try being a marine. I wish you luck

[@Chris-rt7ph]

@VictorGuerrero-th9rf RAH

[@mr.roboto7330]

Try being in the Army or Marines. Army Ft Sill 1999.

[@tewksburydriver8624]

@@mr.roboto7330 .. I was Army 1995, no big deal.

[@TruuMUUU]

Shoutout to TSgt Anderson roasting those trainees in the DFAC. Great MTI and even better MTI Trainer

[@Leosdoingit]

Was he part of the knights I’ve heard of him

[@TruuMUUU]

@@LeosdoingitHe was everywhere but last I saw he was in 321st

[@docb8324]

​@@TruuMUUU He was my MTI as well, 321st. Really trippy seeing him on video

[@jayj7725]

He was a great mti when I had him as a ssgt. He was pretty lenient because he was new, wonder if he’s changed.

[@henryarnett1583]

i graduated basic september 29th 23, glad to see my old instructor Tsgt brown!

[@special_signi2998]

2bravo gang is the best!

[@mute2608]

Arnett it’s Lucero

[@henryarnett1583]

@@mute2608 NO WAY

[@henryarnett1583]

@@special_signi2998 2Bravo2 on top!

[@jh18630]

Tsgt Brown was legit the best MTI i had. Super cool guy

[@f.m.mworld]

I SWEAR that was my MTI at 1:48 and I kept having to rewind it!😭😭 She was def my inspiration to this day!

[@BeADad2447]

Wow never knew they were this tough! Im glad i joined the MARINE CORPS INSTEAD!

[@marcusbethea4313]

The sarcasm

[@KA-tw2wb]

Lmao!

[@Charlie-qe2fr]

Air Force time 0400 ! Marines time little hand is on the 4 big hand is on the twelve!

[@TheRecipientsofHonor]

Awesome video that provides a great insight!

[@Naturallife193]

We are very excited and really like your creative ideas, made it enjoyable to watch and keep watching, hope you continue this great idea forever.

[@SealMemeSix]

7:06 TSgt MacQueen evaluating in the back. Absolute GOAT instructor

[@ScreamingRabbit_]

I think it's so cool seeing how different branches train! I'm currently in the Army so it's pretty neat to me seeing how the Air Force trains MTI's!

[@xincui7084]

The airmen's training seems like a joke compared with the Army and Marines

[@radialbarulhento.]

@@xincui7084 The objective is to be aviators and there is no need for as much hardship as marines go through because they are trained to fight and enter the battlefield physically, you know?

[@isiahz]

@@xincui7084idiot

[@isiahz]

@@radialbarulhento.no he wouldn’t know because he’s a pog

[@SimonBauer7]

well dude if you are flying an aircraft you need to have a different set of skills, compared to actually being on the ground and holding a gun, of course the training has to be different​@@xincui7084

[@chocolatessw]

Wow, I was just watching the business insider video about how Marine drill instructors are trained yesterday, and was thinking “I really wish they had a version of this for Air Force MTI’s”, and then I saw that they uploaded this 😂 I’m really debating on whether I want to become an MTI or not later on in my career, it definitely looks interesting, but at the same time, I don’t think I could handle re-learning and then teaching all the folding and bed making stuff, because I sucked at all of that as a trainee in BMT lmao

[@alejandroparra8519]

I bet you’re better at life now than you were then too. If it’s something you’d like to pursue, sheets and blankets isn’t a reason not to get after it

[@cdubois13]

It’s good they finally did one of these videos on MTI’s. Over the years, they’ve done them on army drill sergeants, marine drill instructors, and I think even navy RDC‘s. The only instructors they haven’t talked about so far our Coast Guard CCs. next, I’d like to see them do one about the air forces field training. The last I knew it was called the BEAST. That’s completely different territory for the MTI because they come from all different Air Force career fields and they’re not accustomed to teaching weapons and tactical training.

[@antonio80594]

They no longer do beast week is called Pacer Forge and it’s like 1.5 days

[@captaineric5276]

The MTI’s don’t teach anything at Pacer Forge (formerly BEAST). We had cadres out there that were in charge of it, mainly security force personnel since they’re ones that teaches trainees how to fire their weapons.

[@rupvictoria3017]

i’ve been in the Air Force for two years now and as a future Air Force military training instructor i totally love this so much!!! 😊👍🏽🤙🏽

[@necevyuop]

What?? How are you a future mti

[@necevyuop]

You obviously have no idea how the process goes..

[@williammclaughlin2606]

I love mtis who want to be there! They were the best trainers

[@boohere2]

Thank you for your service!!!!!!

[@killervito]

Fayyyyyyyyy

[@LuNa-yd1fz]

Airforce instructors: 😠 Navy instructors: 😡 Army instructors: 👿 Marine instructors: 👹

[@denno3124]

😂

[@gladcs]

Awesome way to brake it down to anyone at any age and beliefs

[@alia4976]

😆 idk about army anymore , I heard they can use their cellphones in basic

[@ashalonchiq]

Must be nice to wear warm clothes....😂. MARINES and ARMY....BT recruits wearing shorts and a tshirt in February.

[@lStranger]

Air Force Trainees: 🙁 Navy Trainees: ☹️ Army Trainees: 😨 Marine Trainees: 😰

[@rupvictoria3017]

i’ve heard tons of great stories of MTIS from former MTIs that went through 👍🏽

[@lifeofjake15]

Hell yeah one of the MTI’s in the video was my FLT instructor back in BMT!

[@sussyamongus6754]

Just got out of bmt, super surprised to see the my MTI sgt silva in this vid. Everyone was pretty scared of him that first night he picked us up from the 323rd. Also ngl he did have a little trouble keeping a consistent beat when calling cadence. *Looks right towards the couch* "Sgt Wilks is that right?"

[@ImDupac]

I was there when they filmed this! The guy getting yelled at, at the start of the video is my squadron! 321st Warthogs Baby!!!

[@Cookie-fe7mn]

I had the guy at the very beginning as a MTI, he's a great MTI.

[@danielpavlak885]

Arp telling himself to left face. Command voice so powerful even he can't resist following it.

[@connorsargent3646]

So, I just graduated back in February...and I recognize a good amount of the MTIs in this video, and its freaky.

[@Halo_lime]

Pls do more like these boot camp videos

[@boohere2]

Me too!

[@Halo_lime]

they should do like a national guard basic training or something

[@churchowl3052]

@@Halo_limeNG, reserve, and active all go through the same recruit training.

[@K1OIK]

pls?

[@airdefender1]

Dad went through in 1961, prior to the campaign covers. He said when his mti yelled his ears tangs for about 10 min afterward. Also said he threw coffee cups at him while yelling 🤣

[@skier259]

Great video! Interesting to see the instructors learning. The uniforms of today just aren’t as sharp as they were in my day. Put the stripes back on the arms.

[@pavelow235]

7:59 I had a short TI just like this woman, she scared the crap out of us, she was nice at times yet snapped at the slightest indiscretions. Was a trip for sure. Memories UNLOCKED...🤣🤣🤣 331st WOLFPACK! Mind you this was 22 years ago for me....

[@myles_morales983]

You guys should do the Civil Air patrol next, Oh or even better CAP encampment it happens during the winter and summer im going to it.

[@drewpage2978]

Just finished bmt lol. Tech school is super chill. Mtl's are way more chill since they don't have to guide you as much.

[@sth02]

I'm seeing a whole lotta 321st in this vid. Love it 💚🖤

[@edwardhalterman9371]

The sergeant in the very first clip was my MTI in BMT! The guy he’s smoking was hilarious.

[@jh18630]

Same lmao, i was in his first flight back in april/march. Great MTI.

[@edwardhalterman9371]

@@jh18630 that’s money 😉

[@njez7563]

Sargent haves complemented our dorm and said we cleaned good

[@kossowww]

I’m at tech school with Peraza

[@danmilosevich]

Minor correction. Air Force does not have boot camp. It is basic training.

[@jabiasblockson7074]

Hey insider come hang with some recruiters that’s where the real party starts 🎉

[@tannersdietcoke809]

Had sergeant arp for a few days right when he got his campaign hat, awesome MTI

[@djwhite8824]

Funny thing is, the MTI at the beginning of the video. I actually recognize, TSgt. Hoeffs. Dude taught us a class too when he was doing an evaluation, it was end of bed displays I think. Dude had the most flabbergasted face whenever a trainee did something really stupid, One time this dude AB Gelu goes up to the Chow Board aka Snake Pit in the 5 WOT, and does an about face with his procedures 😂 Technical Sergeant Hoeff’s face was the most disappointed dad look ever. Before he turned into what you see at 0:04 and was like “341! 341! 341” Have since left BMT almost a month ago, was 321 TRS FLT 155 4A1

[@yocto7082]

Sgt Rhymer at 0:35 was actually my bmt instructor from january to march 2024, that's so funny. he was one tough mti

[@AdrianoTheOne]

I graudated bmt November 21st. Hooah to future Airmen

[@nunyabusiness4904]

I attended Airman Leadership School with the student who was teaching the drill movements.

[@thegoat2874]

The MTI @ 8:47 I remember him when he was in training lmao he was so quiet and was actually pretty nice

[@carsenpowers2231]

Seeing some of my MTIs in this video is crazy

[@doctorouroboros]

OH MY GOD SSGT MASKULE BECAME A TECHNICAL SERGEANT THAT WAS MY MTI LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@Arc824]

She was also my MTI, tho she's under TSgt. Stringfield (the instructor at 6:50) when I was at BMT, nothing but respect for them two.

[@gibb6136]

Hahaha TSgt Twamley, such a nice guy

[@Stormtrooper371]

Blue rope at 7:47 is TSgt MacQueen. Had him as one of my MTIs in when I went through in 2022. He was a great instructor. Happy he got his blue rope. 331 TRS Flight 043

[@lordhelmet6050]

Same lol

[@RiserPhenex]

Opsec much 🤦

[@ghost-zu6bw]

​Bruh 😂

[@FlyingMonet]

That guy needs to lose weight. Not a very good first impression upon trainees induction into the Air Force or military in general..

[@Riza20462]

​@@RiserPhenex doofus

[@aidenboman7]

technical sergeant trias and technical sergeant villareal just got their campaign hats on thursday!

[@isssiacparham3467]

Active duty airmen now TSGt Hoefs was my MTI during basic 😂😂

[@jh18630]

same lmao

[@Gevea11]

Wow, I didn't know they actually taught this in real life. I learned this in HS ROTC, and then when I went to Army BCT, they told me I sounded like an idiot.

[@josephfreeman2940]

This was my MTI!! Shout out sgt hoefs actually an amazing man . Although he killed my ear drums !

[@itsss_gage4306]

Saw quite a few of my MTIs and MTIs from my squadron in this video 💀

[@spicysnowman8886]

What squadron?

[@whossmikey]

@@spicysnowman8886321

[@crunchy9684]

Ay my sergeant was at the beginning of the video😂

[@rezanurrohman5979]

reserve airman now, i love air forces with all lux equipment and better facility

[@transformer9933]

Crazy seeing my mti's on this

[@korloq8968]

4:55 why is there a dude in a UPS hoodie with a PT belt wrapped around his belly wtf lol

[@MfWetWet]

Lmaaaaao nice catch 😂

[@yasooon5936]

Typically happens when they get issued gear that isn’t the right size. They wear their civi’s until they get their gear.

[@edwardbrock3807]

They needed a stand in lol

[@beeftestolone]

seeing my old MTI as an instructor is crazy (Shivily)

[@DoofyTV05]

YOOOO SSGT HARRIS THAT WAS MY MTI!!! 4:27

[@njez7563]

Sgt Harris was the only mti I was scared of good thing I only had him for zero week

[@Arc824]

He was under my flight MTI when I was in bmt, he was too calm during my time which is kinda scary imo good thing my flight that time isn't really screwing up a lot, nothing but respect to him though

[@originalgaige5619]

The “they probably haven’t made a bed since they were at basic” line gave me a good laugh😂

[@pyro61600]

OH MY GOD THAT WAS MY FLT 4:59 and that was recent as well

[@koostory1776]

Folding the bed is important when living out a HOTEL room 😂

[@hvac1k636]

My brother in law graduates MTI school this week and I’m shipping off to boot camp right after 😂😂😂

[@777ghxst]

The MTI at the start of the video yelled at me a couple times 😭😭 Sgt Hoeffs was crazy

[@dan020350]

i go to bootcamp when i go to work where all the supervisors keeps on yelling

[@MegaMijit]

oh man, triggered my PTSD with this one

[@ClarkUSAF]

Tsgt stine made in the vid 😂 goated mti

[@TxInfinity]

This indeed is very different from Army DS' and Marine Corps DI's.

[@antonio80594]

Shoutout to one of my former MTI’s TSgt Shively who is shown throughout this video instructing the new MTI’s.I remember her teaching us how to take apart and put together are training rifles.

[@shanedangelo7212]

Army Drill Sergeant: calmly gives orders Marine drill instructors: *rabid dog noises*

[@MrSanfrinsisco]

4:59 - Hey that was my MTI!

[@sen1777]

real and airforce pilled, sauce it up homie

[@Motiv38Minds]

seeing the 321st again is giving me ptsd

[@thirty9648]

Holy crap I think at 11:47 is my old MTI from a couple years ago when I went through, looks like he got his master instructor tab he was working on when I was his flight. Still one of the fastest burners I have seen think he made every rank early or first try.

[@elijahupdike4341]

TSgt Rubic at about 50 seconds was my MTI and we were the flight he became fully qualified as an MTI

[@artfulcord]

Me recognizing some of the MTIs in this training video has me looking fish eyed

[@aperson9460]

sgt shively and sgt grooms were such great MTIs

[@jhaas68865]

I am an Air Force vet and was a student leader aka rope in tech school. They do so much work on the voice because they don’t want them sounding like marines when they get out. There is a video on this site explaining how they get that frog voice and it can be painful. When we were learning as ropes to march the other classmates they worked with us to yell from our diaphragm for that reason. Even now I am a scout leader and when I need to get the packs attention I just call out the pack number and they hear me two campsites over easy.

[@Leosdoingit]

Guys I find the guy everybody hated during tech school

[@jhaas68865]

@@LeosdoingitGood let the hate flow through you.

[@Leosdoingit]

@@jhaas68865 I feel like all ropes were just narcissistic wanna be mtls

[@paulfine5602]

If there isn't lung tissue on the person in front of you it doesn't count. Nasty Air Force

[@anthonyalexander5027]

You only wish you could "sound like Marines" there chair force😂😂😂GTFO .....POG.

[@desmondromero7070]

I had these same instructors bomb rush my dorm when we work up😂😂😂😂 it was like 10 of them and we had no idea what was going on.

[@solidorsharp3091]

This is way more intense then they are showing us 😂

[@spicysnowman8886]

It feels intense when you're a trainee, but looking from the outside, it looks easy.

[@TheComabtDad]

It feels weird seeing me in here and my squadron who graduated

[@raintv4343]

I love how at 0:30 they're all not wearing the same uniform lol.

[@denno3124]

They just don't seem to normally care much about that at all. It wouldn't hurt the Army to care about it less.

[@chrissim4115]

0:23 Omg that was one of my MTI’s easily one of the coolest guy out there but will go from 0-100 rq

[@stainedxx]

Loll i was in the dining facility when they made this. They got loud for the cameras then went straight down in volume when they left

[@chasefleming273]

You guys were lucky then. There were a few guys that got roasted like that pretty regularly in my section early on.

[@jayway8427]

literally sameeeee what flight were you in?

[@stainedxx]

@@jayway8427652, i was EC relief and we came in and saw everyone getting screamed at

[@stainedxx]

@@jayway8427 652. I was EC relief, we were a week or so out from graduating lol

[@cdubois13]

So historically, they used to always receive their hat at a graduation ceremony, and proceed immediately to lead a flight through graduation. After the two weeks with their squadron, do they have a ceremony where they receive their hats? Just wondering if anybody knows

[@MarkNathanOfficial]

Yes

[@Barphammer]

They get their hats after completion of TQ now. Push their flights with the soft cap until then

[@kalebborowski301]

8:41 TSgt Gimbel, one of the best sergeants!

[@pilesofcotton6305]

I had her as my MTI too, she was one of the best for sure

[@maverickfox4102]

The Air Force MTI’s are the equivalent of the Navy RDC’s (Recruit Divisional Commander)

[@chicoperez7677]

“TENCH HUT, ITS TENCH HUT” 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

[@tanbitch69]

That’s the way the Army does that comment the Air Force says ATTENCH HUT

[@stolavee]

i remember Sgt Arranando, definitely was a character 😭

[@jasongriffin1127]

I love the Air Force…

[@annomyous1]

Air Force: chow time everyone get single file for Chik-Fil-a 😂😂😂 Tomorrow is Applebee's 😂😂😂

[@uptvoidflame7975]

6th WEEK OF TRAINGING AND YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO DO YOUR FREAKING JOB. Sgt haffes was a legend. WARTHOGS

[@thesarcasticdruid2702]

My mti was at the 29 sec mark. Great dude but when he yells is terrifying lmao tsgt arp is great

[@albear972]

12:51 Is that unflattering dress the USAF Den Mother uniform?

[@mateuszcielas3362]

what happpens if recruit dont understand super deep voice of instructor?

[@uptvoidflame7975]

You figure it out

[@SneeUnit]

What are their fitness standards?

[@auro1986]

these are units of army. they are called part of air force only because they will tell location to bombers and helicopters?

[@osalghostx]

Shoutout TSgt Brown.

[@TheKidSapper]

I refuse to take any drill that wears a fleece jacket seriously - An Army Drill Sergeant

[@denno3124]

😂 understood

[@mettassi]

Just saw multiple MTI's that trained me in BMT lol