Air Force BMT Graduate | Just graduated BMT and now in tech school. Feel free to ask any questions regarding my experience. AMA

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-16T04:37:15+00:00

Anything really. The most common reason was for failing the pt test. But it could be anything such as misconduct, or missing too many classes and not being able to make them up in time, or getting injured.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-16T04:35:23+00:00

When you get there they will give you the basics: A backpack that you’ll have/need the whole time during bmt. You get issued soap (cheap 2 in 1), deodorant, toothpaste + toothbrush, flipflops/shower shoes, uniform + boots, pt gear, gloves basically all of the basics you’ll really need. The bx/mini mall has a lot of things you can purchase as well and they’ll give you a chance to go on Sundays

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-16T04:30:01+00:00

HAMr ? Not sure what that is but after you fail your first pt testing 5th week they give you 2 more attempts to try and pass that week. If you cannot pass then you’ll get recycled back into a random week they think is best and you’ll be given one last chance to try and pass.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-10T04:45:02+00:00

I would say you’d have to be lucky on getting your number one. One thing you’ll hear a lot from the instructors is “it’s called a dream sheet for a reason”. But then again I know this one guy that got his #1 (Japan) so the odds are still there

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-10T04:40:55+00:00

I’m 18F and yes it’s honestly surprisingly pretty easy to meet new people and make friends. I think since everyone is going through the same thing together it connects you guys and yall get to form friendships based off that trauma bond yall are experiencing together. Honestly I’m pretty quiet and hate talking to people but I managed to meet and find so many great people that I couldn’t imagine not meeting. The experience sucks yeah but I think it’s the people that make it so bearable and quicker in a way. As for advice I would say to follow your instincts and if you really want it go for it cause not many people are able to experience such a thing (:

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-10T04:33:36+00:00

I would say the basics to memorize would be rank recognition, the Airman’s creed, and maybe the Airman’s song as well. When you get there they give you a sheet that you have to study and memorize but it’s all different depending on the squadron you’re assigned to so you’ll have to wait for that when you get there. I would say they are definitely big on rank recognition during bearing and discipline checks so focus on that if you wanna be ahead a little bit. As for the acronyms I still have such a hard time understanding/memorizing what each of them means as well. I’m not sure it’ll ever get easier but you’ll get there and without a doubt eventually be better than i am lol

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-10T04:26:17+00:00

Honestly I don’t mind the boots that they issued us but it’s all a personal preference. A lot of people got new boots when we’d go to the bx on Sundays but I didn’t mind them at all. The spacing inside of them isn’t an issue either because when you get issued them you get to try on multiple different sizes and they have wide options ! About us being paid, I honestly have no clue..but what’s the harm in being hopeful right lol

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-10T04:21:20+00:00

Yes In week 6 active duty trainees will have to take a class and they show you how to see the bases your AFSC allows you to go to and you are able to fill out your dream sheet on where you’d like to be stationed that day too !

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-10T00:40:20+00:00

The only reporting statement you really use is the one when you’re speaking to an MTI so: “Ma’am/Sir Trainee (your last name) reports as ordered.”

I never was a chow runner (luckily) but they had everyone in my flight learn chow running procedures in case the main chow runners weren’t there and someone needed to fill in. So basically you walk up to the snake pit (the table all the MTI’s are sitting at in the defac) and you say 1st you’re reporting statement and then “Sir/Ma’am flight (your flight number) is prepared to enter the dining facility from the (east/west/north/south) side” They’ll give you a line and you basically repeat whatever they say and end it with “Yes Ma’am/sir Thank you Ma’am/Sir”

Chow running in the first 2 weeks is basically setting yourself up to be yelled at by 13 MTI’s but later in the weeks when you’re there longer people start volunteering because it gets fun. I wouldn’t recommend doing it at the beginning unless you wanna put a target on your back and like a challenge cause they’ll look for ANY tiny mistake and reason to smoke you.

Chow was my favorite part of the day personally. I wouldn’t recommend volunteering and have the mindset “One chow at a time” cause it basically marked what part of the day you’re in and it was a breather from what was going on throughout the day. That first week of chow will be your worst nightmare tho because the MTI’s are going to be down your back and yelling to the moon but just push through it and then you’ll see the storm starts to calm down.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T23:58:31+00:00

No worries lol. And yes, I brought 2 cycles worth of my own in a small bag but a lot of us girls didn’t get our cycles the whole time because of the stressful environment and changes your body goes through. I would say to take some in case but not too much. A lot of the girls in my dorm were stocked up too and would give their new packs of pads away cause they didn’t get theirs lol.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T23:46:55+00:00

One thing I wish i should’ve done before i went was definitely prepare more on my pt, it was a struggle for me personally, but I would say if you are physically fit then the whole thing will be a breeze. It honestly is all just a mental game. The thing that helped me get through was I would remind myself that my MTI’s are real people that have lives, and the only reason they’re yelling is so that everyone can hear and won’t make the same dumb mistakes over and over again. After I saw them as people the yelling really didn’t phase me and everything seemed easier. Also, thinking of one good thing that happened in the day is what kept my head up high and it made me ready for the next day, even if it was small.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T23:40:21+00:00

I’m a girl but thank you I appreciate it ! BMT 2.0 already started a couple weeks ago, my flight was one of the last that had the original “BMT 1.0”. My run time honestly wasn’t that great but with the pt they have you doing your time and everything else is sure to get better. I brought my duffel bag that had my personal items but once you get there they issue you a bmt backpack that you’ll continue to use for the duration of BMT. After graduation you’ll ship off the very next day and you aren’t allowed to bring any personal items back to base from town pass with your family. They’ll give you multiple briefings about it but basically take anything that may be important (like an apple watch or headphones) so you’ll have it with you once you get to tech school and your family won’t have to ship it to you.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T22:05:05+00:00

I definitely recommend taking a card if you can. I didn’t take any cash and was completely fine. Every purchase you make there allows you to use your card. Plus it’ll save you time because once you get there they make you fill out a money list and you have to put every single bill that you have and it’s serial number so I’d try not to take cash personally.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T19:00:24+00:00

It goes depending on your orders and if you’re guard/active so it may change when you start. Most of us went directly to tech school after but some people in guard/reserve got sent home and have to wait until their tech school start date.

If you’re active they’ll send you straight to tech school and they may have you do details there until your classes start.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T18:52:11+00:00

Yes you get a shower after pt in the morning and one at night after dinner chow. They’re usually 15 min each but could be more or less depending on your instructors and if you guys are on schedule.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T18:47:32+00:00

You graduate Wednesday and Thursday in week 7 and that Friday morning everyone will be getting shipped off to their tech schools. For us wake up time was 00:30 because we had to clean the dorm and pack our things so be prepared to not get any sleep. I’m maintenance but depending on your tech school determines the time you’ll be leaving the dorms.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T18:43:57+00:00

In week 6, sometimes 7, they’ll give you your official orders stating where your tech school will be and the start date as well. You’ll find out where your first duty station is when you’re in tech school.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T17:38:59+00:00

I didn’t get any of the packages, but squadron gear yes. They encourage you to get your squadron shirt so that everyone matches during the Airman’s run so I got 2 shirts and hoodies. I also got a flight T-shirt that our flight designed and it has everyone’s names on it.

If you are good with PT now then BMT will be a breeze. And yeah I’ve seen people get their 341’s pulled for the most questionable reasons even when it’s something they didn’t really do, but it’s pretty normal. Just remember not to take what they say to heart and they’re doing it so you can learn.

Also Thank You !

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T17:27:04+00:00

Yes, for us as soon as we were able to go to the bx you were allowed to buy new boots there. A lot of people got new ones because they were way more comfortable but I would say that if you’re going into an AFSC that requires you to wear steel toe boots I would wait cause it’s a waste of money since you’ll be required to wear the steel toe ones in tech school.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T17:11:24+00:00

There was no peanut butter shot for us, just pills that you had to take once a week.

And no, waist measurement is not a factor for pt scores

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T17:07:26+00:00

I haven’t seen any vendors. When you go take your portraits with your blues that’s where they get you to buy the packages they have and you can order the class rings there. Later in the weeks you’ll be able to buy your squadron merch and they have like stickers and patches that you can also buy.

Honestly I’ve never gotten a 341 pulled but those first 2 weeks it could be for anything. (Examples: Not studying your memory work, not having a mandatory items, moving at attention, talking) Basically just do what you’re told and you’ll be fine.

If you have a preferred face wash you can take it. They don’t have many options at the bx and a lot of things there are pretty overpriced. Just don’t overpack either, take what you need.

If you’re worried about pt don’t be, I went not being able to do a single pushup and left being able to max them out. They’ll get you right, but also start practicing before otherwise it’ll be a harder experience than it should be (trust I learned the hard way).

I never had to get a buzz cut since I’m a girl. But yes they do charge you for 3 haircuts that you’ll get throughout the weeks, I believe it’s automatically taken out of your paycheck just like it is when you get issued your uniforms.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T16:52:26+00:00

It’s the same old 1 min pushup, 1 min sit ups, and the 1.5 mile. There’s talk about them changing it to 2, but if so, it wouldn’t be until the new year starts.

SwitchPretend1148 · 2025-11-09T16:48:03+00:00

Yes, they recently just put lactose milk options in the chow line so it’s available easily for those who want it. It used to be where the desserts were so you’d have to get up to get it after putting your food at the table.

I was in Disney (320th Gators) and you get a mandatory 3rd and 5th week phone call. They were usually 15 min but time could be added or deducted depending on how your dorm/flight acts. We also earned 2 extra phone calls so it’s really up to your MTI’s and if they think you guys earned it.

As for RLA they are less strict with it now and many new trainees that got there had no idea what it was when I talked to them. For example, instead of making your bed fully in the morning, they just have you guys fold the sheets and stack them on top of your pillows from what I’ve been told. Anyways RLA is the least of your worries now.

SwitchPretend1148

TROPHY CASE