A Filipina in Air Force Basic Training

[JoBri 552]

Yeh, I remember when I went in the Army, we arrived at the Reception Center, and they didnt really jump on us HARD until we were transported over to where we would be for basic training a few days later. I notice that they stay the same place in the Air Force for the Reception Center (zero week) as they do through the rest of training for 8 more weeks. She doesnt begin week 1 until Monday, but they jump on them from the beginning. The following link is what I believe she has to expect beginning tonight when she arrives. (

)

I don't know how they do it now, but one of the first tasks they gave us at the reception station was to write a letter home, to say we made it okay. There were payphones for anyone that wanted to call. The Air Force looks a little different. From the video you posted, it looks like they jump on the recruits from day one, even before they get properly outfitted with uniforms and such.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Brijo

[JoBri 552]

She called from San Antonio, just before going to the USO where the nightmare begins. She was in a hurry to get there because the flight was late. She talked with our son too, on speaker phone, and he sounded better after that. He has a special "kissing rock" that he found at the airbase yesterday that his mommy kissed for him, and he has been giving it kisses a lot today and keeps it in a special place, since it is mommy's kisses. She is in the thick of things right now, I imagine. We prayed for her again tonight. I was always the one going and doing things like this. It is harder being the one at home while someone you love is going through it.

[Calypso 465]

She called from San Antonio, just before going to the USO where the nightmare begins. She was in a hurry to get there because the flight was late. She talked with our son too, on speaker phone, and he sounded better after that. He has a special "kissing rock" that he found at the airbase yesterday that his mommy kissed for him, and he has been giving it kisses a lot today and keeps it in a special place, since it is mommy's kisses. She is in the thick of things right now, I imagine. We prayed for her again tonight. I was always the one going and doing things like this. It is harder being the one at home while someone you love is going through it.

That's kind of bittersweet. Stay healthy y'all.

[dzyrhetom 7]

Im very proud of your wife as well, not just her being a Filipina but someone who is going to represent us! ( Another one on the making) Not all of us have the courage and strength to do it ! >> Way to go Josephine, You can do it!<<

[JoBri 552]

Thank you very much! I will share with her your comments when I hear from her again. Haven't heard anything since she called at the San Antonio, Texas airport last night and she said with a little fear in her voice, "I better go and find that place now" (where she would be signed in, and wait for the bus to transport them to Lackland AFB). Some groups get to make a phone call home that night right away, and others get to call the next day, but it looks like her group didnt get to do that either day. I think it all depends on the drill instructor you have, and it kind of makes me think her's is really a tough one.

Thanks again for your comments.

Im very proud of your wife as well, not just her being a Filipina but someone who is going to represent us! ( Another one on the making) Not all of us have the courage and strength to do it ! >> Way to go Josephine, You can do it!<<

[Darnell 8,480]

waiting to hear news of breakfast and PT.

[dzyrhetom 7]

Thank you very much! I will share with her your comments when I hear from her again. Haven't heard anything since she called at the San Antonio, Texas airport last night and she said with a little fear in her voice, "I better go and find that place now" (where she would be signed in, and wait for the bus to transport them to Lackland AFB). Some groups get to make a phone call home that night right away, and others get to call the next day, but it looks like her group didnt get to do that either day. I think it all depends on the drill instructor you have, and it kind of makes me think her's is really a tough one.

Thanks again for your comments.

You are very welcome! Im glad to know how supportive you are to her...Please stay strong for her and your son... Have faith! And Lets all hope for the best!

[JoBri 552]

About 10 minutes after what should have been "lights out" for her, I got a phone call from her. I could hear all the other women talking in the background calling too. She gave me her address first thing, but sometimes I have trouble understanding her over the phone because of her accent and I had to have her repeat things several times with all the other noise there too. I still dont know if I have the correct dorm number... All the examples I saw online show it differently. But hopefully my letters will get to her.

We had very little time to talk after that. She asked about our son, and I told her he was sleeping now, and that he sat at the computer today looking at pictures of her and him together. I had time to tell her I love her very much and she said same to me, and that was all then, for now. I am surprised they were able to call after taps (lights out). Maybe this one time.

She sounded calm, focused, business-like. She did NOT sound confused or overwhelmed or depressed. She seemed composed and in control.

I bought and packed everything for her, 2 weeks before leaving for basic training. So when she got there, she had everything she needed, I know that. So she has all of what she needed, I made sure of that. So hopefully that helped to make her more calm too, having just what she needed.

I found online this basic schedule.

GENERIC DAILY SCHEDULE I FOUND ONLINE

0445 - Reveille Time to wake up.

0500 - Downstairs in formation. Get ready for PC (Physical Conditioning) *Beginning Monday after zero week

0500-600 - PC. You alternate. One day you run, the next day you do aerobic exercises. *Beginning Monday after zero week

0600-0615 - Breakfast. "Meal time is often chaotic."

0630-0745 - Dorm setup. Getting the dorm "in shape.

0800-1130 - Anything from drilling, classes, records checks, shots, uniform issue, etc.

1130-1230 - lunch.

1300-1700 - Usually classroom instruction.

1700-1800 - Usually dinner.

1900-2045 - Set up the dorm for night-time. Clean-up details. Clean boots.

2100 - Lights out. You'll hear Taps right before "lights out."

[dzyrhetom 7]

About 10 minutes after what should have been "lights out" for her, I got a phone call from her. I could hear all the other women talking in the background calling too. She gave me her address first thing, but sometimes I have trouble understanding her over the phone because of her accent and I had to have her repeat things several times with all the other noise there too. I still dont know if I have the correct dorm number... All the examples I saw online show it differently. But hopefully my letters will get to her.

We had very little time to talk after that. She asked about our son, and I told her he was sleeping now, and that he sat at the computer today looking at pictures of her and him together. I had time to tell her I love her very much and she said same to me, and that was all then, for now. I am surprised they were able to call after taps (lights out). Maybe this one time.

She sounded calm, focused, business-like. She did NOT sound confused or overwhelmed or depressed. She seemed composed and in control.

I bought and packed everything for her, 2 weeks before leaving for basic training. So when she got there, she had everything she needed, I know that. So she has all of what she needed, I made sure of that. So hopefully that helped to make her more calm too, having just what she needed.

You did such a great job for your wifey!

[JoBri 552]

I found out tonight online her training squadron was the first to move into a brand new training complex just this year. So at least she has a state of the art facility to be in. Dormitory, dining facility, classrooms, offices all in one building. And brand new physical training facilities too.

[JoBri 552]

Sent first letter today too. Got the corrections to address by email at the Reception Center

Edited March 23, 2013 by Brijo

[Calypso 465]

Sent first letter today too. Got the corrections to address by email at the Reception Center

Was the letter sealed with a kiss? How's your boy dealing with it now?

[JoBri 552]

When our son woke up this morning, he called out "Mommy!" and was real upset, cried some. I had him color a picture on a small piece of paper to send with the letter tonight. I also let him know I am sending "Mommy" pictures of him. I took several today to include in the letter, just of normal things such as eating breakfast or at the grocery store.

<br />Was the letter sealed with a kiss? <img src="http://static-forums.visajourney.com/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif" /> How's your boy dealing with it now?<br />

<br /><br /><br />

[hellINTIM 9]

waiting to hear news of breakfast and PT.

Breakfast and PT?

Breakfast in US airforce base are pretty good.

PT for air force? is a F***** joke.....

sorry but its true

[Darnell 8,480]

yes, i know, i have some experience about it.

But hey, time passes, things change - that's why I'm anxious to hear of news, aye?

[Nice to see you posting again, btw]

Edited March 23, 2013 by Darnell