Tech School Phases (Rules and Restrictions)

[@jbuver4eva]

Okay so I’m at Tech School at Shepard AFB right now and it works much differently. I know a good majority of airmen end up here so let me tell you how phasing works here! Phase 1: You will be required to wear OCPs or Blues during the duty day. You may wear PT Gear outside of duty hours (even outside the dorms). You can also wear civilian clothes so long as you are inside your dorm room ONLY. You are authorized to eat at the restaurants on base after duty hours and during the weekends. You can also utilize the on base gym. You are not permitted to consume alcohol or tobacco products (cuz you’ll be in uniform) In order to phase up to phase 2 you must have been on base 2 weeks, completed and passed 2 open ranks blues inspections, passed 2 consecutive dorm room inspections, and have no LORs and must not have been tardy to any briefings, classes, PT, etc. Phase 2: You may wear civs outside duty hours and during weekends. You may drive and be in a vehicle. You can leave base. Curfew during the week is 10 pm and during Friday/Sat it is 2AM (must be on base past 12pm tho) You can consume alcohol and tobacco products if you are of age and in permitted areas. You may have large electronics in your dorm room and don’t have to be locked up so long as you attach a 341 to them. You will only have 1 room inspection a month and one open ranks inspection a month instead of weekly. In order to phase up to phase 3 (the final phase and is not a punishment) you must have been in phase 2 for 28 days, not been tardy to anything, and have passed all your open rank and dorm room inspections. Phase 3: you have the option to move to the phase 3 dorms in which you most likely will not have a roommate and there is no CQ. You may travel off base up to 250 miles out without filling out a permission form. You are permitted to stay off base during the weekend overnight if you fill out the required form and it is accepted (must have above a 90 PT score and 90 GPA) you can travel anywhere that is less than an 8 hour drive. You cannot board a plane. Some tips: If you are reprimanded or disciplined you may get phased back or be held from phasing up longer. Do your best to be early to everything if you want to phase up. Also In order to phase up you have to attend the mandatory phase briefing, they only hold these every 2 weeks and if you are late or miss it you’ll have to wait extra longer to phase up. Don’t skip PT (they will always know) get yourself some better bed sheets and covers (you are allowed to in P1) get your haircut at the mini BX (they do better than the main one). Take your dry cleaning at least a week before you need it (they take forever) Eat at the dfac!! (You’re already paying for it and they have decent options, save your $$) Also if you plan on getting into the phase 3 dorms it is first come first serve and they fill up fast, there’s usually a waiting list so talk to your MTL about moving as soon as you can. PT is 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday) run days are typically Monday’s. If you score over a 90 on the Mok PT test then you only have to attend Monday PT each week. Also keep in mind that there are 2 different shifts you’ll be assigned to one. Either Days or Swings. I am Days, swings is all mostly the same however some times differ.

[@billnyethenazispye4278]

Going to school up there to be a Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist perfect to know, thank you for typing all this out!

[@riyanagranger1469]

Thank you for this, I’m trying to get as much information as possible before I actually leave for bmt

[@luisnunes3758]

Thank you for the info, my question is: Am I allowed to drive my car and park inside the base? I live in Austin-TX and wanted to drive over there after BMT. Appreciate your answer.

[@mcied1]

@@luisnunes3758 I don’t know AF that well but I doubt it

[@socalmouse]

How things have changed in 15 years. You guys got it nice now

[@ftnirish74]

Love these videos. Turned my daughter onto them before she shipped and now she's about to grad tech school and these AV videos have been helpful.

[@ProjectWink]

I wanted to update now that I'm in tech school. Fort Sam Houston: Phase one- is a minimum of 21 days. Must wear OCPs outside the dormitory, or pt gear inside the dormitory. Can eat wherever you want, you don't have to eat at the dfac. Can't ride in a car either though, or go off base. Curfew is the same for everyone. And we can personalize our room from day one. Phase two- you can wear your own clothes after the duty day and on weekends. You can ride in/drive a car and go off base. Phase three- is actually a few more freedoms here. But you have to be here for over 100 days.

[@mylenarae4069]

Is it still same requirements for phase 2-3 if you have dependents

[@Peter-rq7hz]

​@Andre-yi9us you can have them shipped to you yes. People are always selling/giving stuff out for free in the dorms so be mindful of that too!

[@breygon1]

Whoa! I went through AF Tech School a very long time ago (1973-1974) at Keesler AFB. It was a whole other vibe! The Phases we had pertained where were in our training. There were no restrictions line you have outlined. We could wear civies from Day one. There were beer vending machines in the dayrooms. We could eat anywhere. There was no curfew. If we wanted to go off base could as long as we were back in time to take care of our bay housekeeping duty that had been assigned to us and were in formation ontime.

[@pep590]

I just wrote the same thing above brother. I was at Chanute in 1976. Loved those Beer vending machines. Hit the Airman's club the first night. 18 years old for everything on base back then. The base was perfect for those with no car as there were so many store and food places right out the back gate. I lived in Missouri and went home the first weekend.

[@GreyAndSheep]

I’m at security forces tech school, about to graduate. The entire squadron including graduates has been phase 1 for almost a month, and it’s likely going to continue. Furthermore, for my tech school, you have full accountability every single night, can’t have tv’s or gaming consoles, can’t drink, or have POVs during any phase.

[@VoodooActual]

Imagine my pain when I'm at Bullis and hear about the lockdown being implemented again

[@asxphxss]

One of your teams got caught running a train on one of the girls from firehouse how do you expect to phase up? 😂 I'm at 344th TRS, air crew squadron currently, right next to security forces.

[@Cobyzclps]

@@asxphxss I'm at 344th TRS for vehicle maintenance lol

[@davejohnson4311]

Is tech school hard

[@efrainfigueroa8641]

:(

[@devappler]

I'm at Keesler AFB, Phase 3 for us allows 4392's for staying off base during the weekend, and room decoration including tapestries, posters, etc.

[@librarianrose4472]

Do u know if we can use self adhesive contact paper

[@SourPatch19Studded]

Good to know since I’m headed there Friday lol

[@stilljt2864]

Ayeee me too

[@capassoman]

Ay im here too, what squadron?

[@stilljt2864]

@@capassoman 335

[@rlb1388]

I was 18 in 1979. Goodfellow AFB was like a party college. Except for class of course. We had all 4 branches of the Military training there. I remember the Marines were treated more strictly than us Airmen. Which made me happy that I chose the Air Force after High School.

[@courtneyyeahhh3194]

this sounds pretty similar to how it is here today!! good to hear it hasn’t changed since then❤️

[@pep590]

Amazing you have so many cool things we never had 40 years ago, yet once you got to tech School and were off duty, you could change into civies and go any where you wanted to. If you lived near by, you could go get your car. No waiting of phases at all. this is the late 1970's. The AF didn't have PT gear, you did it all in fatigues and combat boots.

[@rickmiller8614]

USAF 1972-1976 Jet Engine Tech. Found out my tech school, Chanute AFB, has shut down and turned over to the city. Had good memories there.

[@rogerwilliams9004]

Thank you for serving. I went through Aircraft Mechanics School at Sheppard AFB in 1981.

[@bobd5197]

Me too!

[@eliezerhernandez4339]

Thanks for this I just got finished with MEPS and today I’m going to choose which job I want

[@albenrir]

Thank you Kyle & Makenna for ALL this content 🙏🏻 you guys helped me a lot through this process. I’m shipping out march 8 for BMT. Wish me luck.

[@zachweldon564]

anakin joined the air force 🤯🤯🤯

[@bengaljam4550]

When I was in tech school (1980) at Lowry AFB Colorado I had finished my school but still had not received my orders for next assignment. My instructor told me since I was finished with school to report to the STA office in the morning for AFI instructions (details and cleaning all day). I went to the STA office in the morning and he was calling out names and the details assigned to everybody. Apparently he had no idea I was done with school so he never called my name. For 3 weeks I went to STA office every morning and he never called my name so I just went back to my room and hid or went off base and slacked off everyday. Finally one day someone slid my orders under my door and I was able to outprocess. For 3 weeks nobody knew about me and I hid while everyone else slaved away with details. Served 20 years and retired. Easy money.

[@Adventuregirl96]

Different Phases sound just like the different years at the CGA. 4/c have to wear their uniform the entire time and have to square corners. Firstie's only wear their uniform while at school and can have cars and can go out of town on the weekend.

[@cycleguy1943]

I was at Lowry in March ‘83…loved it and had great memories!

[@a1cdipersibryan883]

I just graduated bmt on the 24th! I was also in the wolf pack squadron! At tech school now just got here. Thank you for all the awesome tips for basic training it made it a lot easier

[@ayematv9529]

same. what flight?

[@marcusmcclain5433]

Wow!!! Back in 2000 at Kessler, phase ups required passing a 2 mile run, phase 3 meant way more privileges. Punishment was back to phase 1 day 1.

[@edwardjuarez9425]

Same here. I was in the 332 TRS. Started in the old dorms and moved to the new ones.

[@stilljt2864]

Phase 1 was 30 days at goodfellow. We could be all over base in our PTs, we could also buy our own linens. If you’re a guy and you’re going to goodfellow for fire you’ll live in the trailer park/modular dorms while you’re phase 1.

[@wolfgang2453]

I'm at aircrew fundies right now. We're allowed to be out in PTs here which is nice. Here phase 1 is 2 weeks and phase 2 is 1 week. There are 3 phases; phase 1 is the same as you said (but we're allowed to eat at restaurants), and phase 2 you're allowed to wear civies or go off base in blues. Phase 3 you can go off base in civies, drive, and drink. Other than that, everything is pretty much as you said.

[@cycleguy1943]

Lowry AFB Colorado in March’83…Tech school was a blast and had great memories of it…..

[@bobd5197]

Wow! Things have really changed I guess. When I went to Lowry AFB for munitions maintenance tech school in spring '78, it was a more relaxed version of basic. Had to be in uniform for classes and any other official function, but that was it. Free to leave the base on weekends. Then in '81, I cross trained into aircraft maintenance and went to Sheppard AFB as a Senior Airman. Lived in the VAQ and would sneak a couple of classmates into my car and drive to lunch and back at one of the chow halls, while the rest of the class had to march! Never got caught either.

[@PlaidDad]

I was at Sheppard back in ‘98 for HVAC. I just remember each phase getting more lax the higher up you go. I was in school from mid July to mid Jan. In phase 5, I believe we had no restrictions as far as weekends go.

[@raystone9106]

Finally in your AFS training. Congratulations!!! All the info is great, got those going to BMT and tech school. Back when I was in every thing had different numbers for AFSC, that changed in the midto late 1990s. There were rules when you first got to TS. But once in your course the restrictions were for doing the week. My school was 8 months phase 1, so we all because yellow /red ropes. Your barracks looks better than what we had,--- old WW2 barracks at Sheppard AFB. But that is ancient history, as it was 1972. Our squadrons for the March to school we were behind the guys as our little squadron of females would have gotten trampled by the guys. This year is 50 years ago. Good luck with your 7 months and on to LV

[@bobcarrado899]

I was in loadmaster tech school at Shepard in 1966. We had no phases and it was a pretty relaxed atmosphere after class each day as I remember it. However, we lived in open bay barracks, not “dorms”. We had a red “rope” that was in charge of our barracks but we hardly ever saw him. He had his own private room. Do they still have “ropes”? I remember marching to class each day and passing in review of the base commander. Do they still do that? I met a great guy there in my class who three years later became my roommate at Cam Ranh Bay. He was killed on May 24, 1969 when his C123 was shot down at Bien Hoa. RIP Milt Bush.

[@JPHamon]

I just swore in at meps and I am not a US citizen (born in canada) I had a 93 overall on my Asvab and I basically qualified for every job bur my citizen ship severely restricted my job list. If yall ever want to make a video on this I can give you this list I was given. And since I had no other restrictions of any kind this is basically the full list for non US citizens

[@bridger6101]

Nice, I got an 81 overall, but qualified for all jobs, and almost maxed all the line scores.

[@IowaTower]

I was at Keesler. Due to passing a huge inspection, the phase system was suspended the day I arrived. It was a Friday. Saturday was a huge party, alcohol, etc. Big mistake - my fresh from Basic no hair having head, no hat, alcohol, Mississippi sun in May.

[@cjeppinga]

And as soon as your operational there are no phases 😂 it’s a big change from going to phase 3 which was going off base in civies to doing whatever you want as soon as your off base

[@19brittani]

80s at shepherd afb tech school was phase one uniform for 15 days 24/7. civilian clothes in phase two and allowed to drink at the club and go off base on weekends..thats all i can remember lol.

[@sebasto6791]

I had my tech school in Ft Lee and it is a lot of freedom. We were allow to leave base during phase 3, wear civilian clothes phase 2. It was cool

[@josephtotter7484]

Way back many moons ago, I bypassed tech school. Down side , I missed out on 9 months of parties :) up side no phases! Went from Lackland to home to get my car then drove toy first duty station. As far as I knew I was the only one to bypass 304x0- wideband

[@Voodoofoxx]

You missed out on a lot of fun. Tech school was a lot of fun.

[@artfulcord]

Its interesting to hear the differences in tech school phases. The phase 3 that was described sounded insanely backwards. Phase 3 at fire school is the final phase of a student at the academy, typically only around 3-4 weeks from graduation, and having been on post for 60 days and passed room inspections, blues inspections, and gotten their GTC. They no longer have curfew, no weekend accountability, they are allowed off base and to stay overnight off base (on weekends) if they fill out a form, can have their POVs, and are only subject to one inspection of both kinds per month. They are in the last weeks of their technical training and are being given a feel of what being operational is actually like to help further ease them into the transition. Of course, not everyone gets there. One of the guys I work with was Phase 1 the whole time cause he never attended a blue’s inspection lol.

[@joywahrmund652]

Great information thank you

[@stilljt2864]

Also the version of phase 3 at ft lee is like getting red carded at keesler or getting your phase taken away at goodfellow.

[@gaberealhamilton4845]

leaving for bmt march 8th 🙏🏽

[@candaskelley9011]

me too!

[@gaberealhamilton4845]

@@candaskelley9011 you got a snapchat?

[@kamicloudss]

@@gaberealhamilton4845 dawg 💀

[@hectorortiz8586]

Can you do a video of the space force?

[@clydeespinosa6286]

Thanks For your video Sandbox was really helpful for my son

[@MannyVegaNieves]

More flawless videos from an amazing person. You're truly changing lives

[@bjackk1]

Thanks for sharing!

[@21cabbage33]

At Sheppard our phase 3 we can go farther away and go up to 8 hours away with a 4392 we also only have to go open ranks and do a room inspection once a month

[@Aspiration321]

Update for tech school at FT Meade. Phase 1 is the same as described in video for 10 days. You can wear PT gear outside of the DET now. No room personalization in phase one except for the sheets. You will be in blues for the first two days at Ft. Meade! Make sure you stress to your instructors that you need stripes on two shirts not just one. If not you will be wearing the same shirt for two or three days straight that you also wore at parade. Phase 2 is the same except curfew is 2200 every day even on the weekends. Phase 3 you get midnight curfew and vehicle privileges. Red Card is the new “phase 3” if you get a red card you will be on phase 1 again for as long as the MTL or Captain says you will be. No one is going to shame you for getting a red card. People make mistakes, we learn to forgive each other and move on. Everyone in the Air Force DET is super supportive and they won’t make getting a red card any worse for you than it already is.

[@jadenking6775]

Phase 3 at sheppard is actually a good thing

[@ethantownsend8255]

Hey so when are we able to go to the gym and workout?

[@brittanyheinrich2147]

Just got my job! Dental Assistant ship date April 19th!

[@ashantibell3165]

Really!? Do you mind explaining the processing and the asvab score you got. I asked for this job but my recruiter said its really rare to come by

[@brittanyheinrich2147]

@@ashantibell3165 my ASVAB scores are. Overall: 68 Mechanical: 68 Administration: 63 General: 72 Electrical: 61 I put it on my list and prayed about it. My recruiter told me its hard to get and doesnt come up often. Do I guess im pretty lucky. Make sure you put what you want on your list it will eventually come up!

[@mdmarko]

Enlisted in 74. After basic training we were treated as adults and professionals, not like children. Having this 'phase' program sure says a lot about the recruits coming in, as well as poor upper management.

[@kellychuba]

Immediately after basic you had better believe new enlistees were phased into higher responsibility. I was, 20 years after you. And they were in your time, too. Do not think of the word 'phase' as much as when you had actual leave finally and permission to watch television.

[@jhaas68865]

I am feeling old now. Enlisted in 95. My tech school was one of the longer ones at 42 weeks at Sheppard. Phase one was two weeks and no problems you got phase two. Phase one you were in uniform pretty much anytime outside of your room and you had weekend duty one day. You had a strict curfew every day Phase two you were allowed to wear civilian clothes on the weekend with no weekend duty. No POV rights yet. Phase three. Duty day is done you can wear civilian clothes and curfew was more relaxed on weekends. Phase four same as phase three but no curfew on weekends. This was at about six months of being at school. We also had a phase four enhanced because there is the AFI at the time if you were assigned to a base for more than 6 months technically it was a PCS so you were supposed to be considered permanent party at that point. They did that at ten months active duty. At that point you had no curfew and the MTLs left you alone unless you screwed up. One of my classmates was in phase one or two almost the entire time but got pushed through for reasons. I think he hit phase three once. He got to his first base and got a one on his EPR in the time when 5 was the max and norm. He was kicked out shortly after.

[@danmilosevich]

Wow, i retired in 95.

[@SilverStardust]

Thank you so much for your service!!!

[@nelliecastaneda1973]

Super informative video. Thank you both for the great content y’all share. Im shipping out June 14. Weird question, are you allowed to get tattoos while at tech school?

[@samuelnovack4758]

Yes

[@Josejavierquintero]

I just got my job as air transportation. I ship out to basic april 11.

[@zachweldon564]

i go the 12th hah

[@Josejavierquintero]

@@zachweldon564 well me too bro but I gotta be in San Antonio the 11th. Haha

[@zachweldon564]

@@Josejavierquintero well see ya then man

[@lukeromano1063]

Good luck my guy I just graduated yesterday just keep your head up in basic, don’t take anything personal and just know the hardest part is the first week and it gets easier from there. Sounds like you will be in the same squadron as I was the 321st. Lot of great instructors there good luck man

[@zachweldon564]

@@lukeromano1063 which dorms were u in

[@rlb1388]

LOL In 1979 I wore civilian clothes from day 1. Except in classrooms. It was so relaxed in 1979/1980. We could pretty much do whatever we wanted in our free time. Funny how times have changed.

[@9manny99]

LOL Fort Sam Houston and Lackland doesn't sound as bad anymore.

[@gabrielguzman6018]

@Mikhail Gonzalez where did you party at?

[@justin2208]

I’m in the same school as you and you have so many more privileges then the Army allows. I picked the wrong branch lol

[@justin2208]

We can’t leave post or have a car. Regardless of phase

[@mag1960ana1]

Tech School sure have changed since I been in back in 1981 at Able Chief, Aircraft Maintenances. We had three phases. Phase 1 you had to be in your military fatigue during duty hours at all times. the first week, which was in- process, know what is expected of you and know the rules. You fall in at the same time as regular student. which mean you get up at 4am. you make sure you are shaved and showered, eat breakfast, your room is in inspection ready. because anytime during the day it will be inspected. fall in formation by 5am. but you do not march to class. do your in-processing then details. which is part of Phase 1. You had to be in the dorms by dinner time 4pm. then you were not allowed out. You could wear you civilian attire inside only. At the end of Phase 1 you were given your class schedule and the start of your training, that is the start of phase 2. Phase 2 you start your training classes. still have to be in your fatigue in the dorm til 4pm, which is dinner time. you were still not allowed out, by that time you are spend the night studying that days lessons and next days lessons. if you have free time, usually make calls home or write letters. two weeks into your training phase, and if you have no demerits you can go on to Phase 3. Phase 3 give you some freedom. which allow you to eat at the airman club, your curfew during the week you had to be in the dorm by 6pm, Fridays and Saturday curfew 11pm. can go off base to eat at restaurants or movies theaters. but you had to be back on base during the week by 6pm and weekend 11pm. of course this can be taken away if you have too many demerits or your grades are not passing. so you are responsible for yourself and behavior. Tech school was about 2 1/2 months. About two weeks before you graduate you are given your first base order. Where you FTD going to be while enroute to your first base. So it looks like Tech School has changed since I was in 1981.

[@danmilosevich]

Wow. I went through in 76 and early 77. First 3 days or so was in processing. Normal duty hours if not less. An 11 PM curfew. Then at the triangle no curfew. 0600 hrs formation. Class done 14:30. Details if any. Repeat.

[@timelliott4117]

1984 The babydoll club, I was told I had a great time there.

[@Voodoofoxx]

Omg I was at Keesler 338th in 1997. I think we had 5 phases. I still have my phase card we had to carry with us lol

[@hirumbiffidum9145]

Does the tech school have an MWR unit (Morale Welfare and Recreation). If so do they have running races ?

[@joshuapfitch]

a lot of these rules apply to goodfellow afb but some do not

[@LynxFan10]

Anybody have any info on Goodfellow AFB? I’ll be going there after basic. Any info would appreciated!

[@jthegreat2024]

If you have a cyber certs like Security+ and CISSP already, can you skip certain parts of tech school training?

[@jeffdo9195]

Wow restrictions in Tech School? We had none. While in casual status. We hit the clubs first night out of basic...

[@fillmoe572]

Do they have their phones for phase one?

[@damoncoley1244]

Can they use their cell phones during all phases?? Until curfew?

[@exaucemayunga22]

Yes

[@devenvernazza2579]

Why does the Air Force website say 77 days for tech school as Public Affairs, but you are there for seven months? Unless the 77 days means actual in-class days. Just curious, thanks.

[@joshhamilton7046]

I was told the 77 days just means is in-class days.

[@bryancarlos6466]

Do they still do 341's 😁

[@jayj7725]

Can’t leave ft lee :( I’m here now

[@Grant_Noel]

I can’t find someone to answer this question directly. Can I go to the grocery store during Tech School???

[@datboijay6379]

The base has shops and grocery stores you would be allowed to access

[@Twinstetics]

Is there an Instagram page i can follow for this account?

[@rubeanablecreations3835]

Hey guys, was the tech school not long enough to stay off base if are married with dependents ? My spouse and kid were on my orders. at the airport rn. I'm talking about public affairs tech school specifically.

[@johnc8277]

When do you get your orders for your 1st duty station?

[@Drakeman2003]

what's the difference between reporting to an MTI vs an MTL? I know when speaking to an MTI it's "sir/ma'am Trainee (Last name) reports as ordered" what is it for MTLs?

[@gavinrhodes4631]

It’s the same but your not a trainee, so you replace it with airman, same thing for graduation day with mti’s

[@Drakeman2003]

@@gavinrhodes4631 "Sir/ma'am airman (last name, reports as ordered"?

[@life_with_laurie]

Do you have all branches at your tech school?

[@marymoses4887]

How long is tech school for seevices in Virginia

[@datboijay6379]

Depends on the job you select

[@asxphxss]

At Lackland AFB at the 344th aircrew squadron if anyone wants to ask anything about BMT or tech school or even air crew jobs, reply down below!

[@ashtonsanfelice8209]

What’s the curfew in fridays is it really 12

[@ashtonsanfelice8209]

For phase 2

[@asxphxss]

@@ashtonsanfelice8209 no, you only go by when your MTLs dismiss you. They can dismiss you as late as 1600

[@rickyh78]

My son is getting ready to go through meps he’s hoping for a ISR job. Are masks still required at BMT/Tech school now?

[@b.entranceperium]

May I ask why BDUs are on the thumbnail? Those were phased out a long time ago...

[@jemimahayorinde8606]

Leaving in March, the 15th. Am kind of nervous.

[@LynxFan10]

I’m waiting on my ship date and I’m nervous too but we can do this!

[@kristiannealy3474]

I ship out on the same day😁😁 Good luck

[@rebeccavann2824]

Same here!

[@senaaera5576]

I’m sad, you almost came to my base. Columbus. But you switched. To bad.

[@pexodus2499]

That's crazy! You turn into a female in phase 2!

[@alexwooldridge5772]

Every tech school is like this no one actually follows these rules except for a select few

[@jthegreat2024]

If you have a cyber certs like Security+ and CISSP already, can you skip certain parts of tech school training?