When I went to basic (AF), it was only 6.5 weeks--and I was super nervous but really excited. I was also 18, left Sept. 1st, so all of my friends had left for college that week or the week before, and it just felt right. But at 18 I had no kids to worry about, no significant other to miss, just adventure and something new to look forward to. And c'mon, it was AF basic training. Cake.
When I went to basic, also for AF, it was 6.5 weeks. The first half week is the worst by far, and even then not bad by other services' standards. The key is to keep in mind it is only 6.5 weeks of pain for a lot of gain, a solid job, and it is very rewarding. At the time I went to Basic, I was single, so I don't know what to say about family, other than I recall not having a lot of time to write the first week or so, so don't be surprised if you get short letters at first, everything is just fine.
When I went to a 4-week training for ROTC, it wasn't that bad other than I was thinking I've already been through a lot of this before... but at the time we were engaged, so it was tougher being apart. I just kept telling myself it was paying for college, paying the bills, and paying for a job once I graduated, and that worked.
The best thing for the servicemember is support, and understanding that especially for the first week or so, time is extremely scarce, nearly all of the day is scheduled from sunrise to sunset.
Once you're through Basic, the rest is all downhill at least in the AF, so it really sucks at the time but it really is just a very short snippet of time, and the rewards far outweigh the drawbacks.
I know other services are very different in Basic Training, among other things, though, so what I have said really only applies to AF basic training and ROTC's 4-week Summer training that you do one-time in addition to ROTC. If someone is considering ROTC (or OTS), they do *NOT* have to do both Basic Training and the 4-week program. I am just one of the "lucky" ones who got to experience both! :) (It is because I first joined as enlisted, but then went ROTC and became an officer. If someone goes directly in as an officer, or stays enlisted, they only do one of the training sessions.)
I should clarify -- if someone does OTS with the Air Force, it is 3 months, not 4 weeks (for ROTC) or 6.5 weeks (for Enlisted). This is for people who never did ROTC. There is about 4 weeks of the "basic training"-like atmosphere, and then about 8 weeks of classes for the Air Force, which are akin to the classes that are spread over 4 years of ROTC.
When my husband left for basic I went to stay with my parents. Normally I'm not a proponent of going to live with mom and dad every time the husband goes away for more than a few weeks, but we had to be out of our house in Utah. Since we knew we'd be moving permanently when training was done, it made more sense to pack our stuff, put it in storage and for me to stay with family.
My husband was nervous about training, as was I. It's an unknown and there are so many horror stories about how hard it is. But it wasn't terrible. Not fun, but not a nightmare.
My husband gives this advice to anyone getting ready to enlist: Just do what you're told, do it to the very best of your ability and follow the rules. It's that simple. Once the drill sgts know you're not a troublemaker or a screw up, they'll leave you alone.
I know this is off the topic, but I want to go back to what I said above about not going home every time your husband deploys of goes to training. Visiting family is great and once in awhile it's fine to do it when the husband will be gone. However, I don't recommend becoming one of the women who do it EVERY TIME their husband leaves. Eventually your kids will be in school and you won't be able to. It's just easier if you accept that you will spend long stretches of time alone before he ever joins. Just accept that it will be a part of life, and create your new life as a military family accordingly. If you start by always going home to family, you don't learn the coping skills you'll need later when you CAN'T go home to family. So, from the get go you should consider wherever you are as home and learn to love it and make friends so you can get through the times when he's gone.
I hope that made some sense. It's late and I'm rambling.
LOL :) Yes, AF is superior! :) I always knew I liked you Ariella, it's because you are AF deep down inside :) Don't worry, I won't tell Adam... I swear, Ariella said Army, all the way!!! :)
I love being a Chairborne Ranger! Woohoo!!! :) lol
When Russ left for Basic, I was 9 mos pregnant. Woo Hoo Military MOMMA! no, it was actually really a bummer - poor evie. he missed her birth, and next week he'll miss her 6th birthday. i think the army has it out for her. more military training.
i was just so grateful he had a steady job, it didn't matter that he was gone for four months. he met evie when she was three mos old, and we joined him in monterey 4 weeks later. just part of the initiation. live with it and move on, right?
how was your experience with basic, ariella? or was adam already in when you two married - he wasn't, was he?
Adam and I had been married for 2 years when he left for Basic. Josh had just turned 1. Brandi...don't hate me...we put our stuff in storage and we had a great time at my in-laws. Adam's mom is really the best. It seemed like FOREVER, but we made it through. I think I sent him a letter everyday and we got the rushed sub 5 minute phone calls on Sundays. I cried a lot. Yeah, I was a big ol' wuss.
But, look at me now! He's gone half the year and I hardly blink an eye. Yeah, whatever. I still cry, but we stay put. The kids go to school. I learn over and over that I can do it on my own. It's just not nearly as fun without Adam there, though.
Adam said the key to basic was being present, but always hanging just beneath the radar. He said you didn't want a drill sergeant's good attention or bad. Just be as invisible as possible.
8 comments:
When I went to basic (AF), it was only 6.5 weeks--and I was super nervous but really excited. I was also 18, left Sept. 1st, so all of my friends had left for college that week or the week before, and it just felt right. But at 18 I had no kids to worry about, no significant other to miss, just adventure and something new to look forward to. And c'mon, it was AF basic training. Cake.
When I went to basic, also for AF, it was 6.5 weeks. The first half week is the worst by far, and even then not bad by other services' standards. The key is to keep in mind it is only 6.5 weeks of pain for a lot of gain, a solid job, and it is very rewarding. At the time I went to Basic, I was single, so I don't know what to say about family, other than I recall not having a lot of time to write the first week or so, so don't be surprised if you get short letters at first, everything is just fine.
When I went to a 4-week training for ROTC, it wasn't that bad other than I was thinking I've already been through a lot of this before... but at the time we were engaged, so it was tougher being apart. I just kept telling myself it was paying for college, paying the bills, and paying for a job once I graduated, and that worked.
The best thing for the servicemember is support, and understanding that especially for the first week or so, time is extremely scarce, nearly all of the day is scheduled from sunrise to sunset.
Once you're through Basic, the rest is all downhill at least in the AF, so it really sucks at the time but it really is just a very short snippet of time, and the rewards far outweigh the drawbacks.
I know other services are very different in Basic Training, among other things, though, so what I have said really only applies to AF basic training and ROTC's 4-week Summer training that you do one-time in addition to ROTC. If someone is considering ROTC (or OTS), they do *NOT* have to do both Basic Training and the 4-week program. I am just one of the "lucky" ones who got to experience both! :) (It is because I first joined as enlisted, but then went ROTC and became an officer. If someone goes directly in as an officer, or stays enlisted, they only do one of the training sessions.)
I should clarify -- if someone does OTS with the Air Force, it is 3 months, not 4 weeks (for ROTC) or 6.5 weeks (for Enlisted). This is for people who never did ROTC. There is about 4 weeks of the "basic training"-like atmosphere, and then about 8 weeks of classes for the Air Force, which are akin to the classes that are spread over 4 years of ROTC.
When my husband left for basic I went to stay with my parents. Normally I'm not a proponent of going to live with mom and dad every time the husband goes away for more than a few weeks, but we had to be out of our house in Utah. Since we knew we'd be moving permanently when training was done, it made more sense to pack our stuff, put it in storage and for me to stay with family.
My husband was nervous about training, as was I. It's an unknown and there are so many horror stories about how hard it is. But it wasn't terrible. Not fun, but not a nightmare.
My husband gives this advice to anyone getting ready to enlist: Just do what you're told, do it to the very best of your ability and follow the rules. It's that simple. Once the drill sgts know you're not a troublemaker or a screw up, they'll leave you alone.
I know this is off the topic, but I want to go back to what I said above about not going home every time your husband deploys of goes to training. Visiting family is great and once in awhile it's fine to do it when the husband will be gone. However, I don't recommend becoming one of the women who do it EVERY TIME their husband leaves. Eventually your kids will be in school and you won't be able to. It's just easier if you accept that you will spend long stretches of time alone before he ever joins. Just accept that it will be a part of life, and create your new life as a military family accordingly. If you start by always going home to family, you don't learn the coping skills you'll need later when you CAN'T go home to family. So, from the get go you should consider wherever you are as home and learn to love it and make friends so you can get through the times when he's gone.
I hope that made some sense. It's late and I'm rambling.
Man...seriously? six and a half weeks. that's cake! If I were to join, I would have done Air Force. Don't tell Adam. shhhh Army Strong!
LOL :) Yes, AF is superior! :) I always knew I liked you Ariella, it's because you are AF deep down inside :) Don't worry, I won't tell Adam... I swear, Ariella said Army, all the way!!! :)
I love being a Chairborne Ranger! Woohoo!!! :) lol
When Russ left for Basic, I was 9 mos pregnant. Woo Hoo Military MOMMA! no, it was actually really a bummer - poor evie. he missed her birth, and next week he'll miss her 6th birthday. i think the army has it out for her. more military training.
i was just so grateful he had a steady job, it didn't matter that he was gone for four months. he met evie when she was three mos old, and we joined him in monterey 4 weeks later. just part of the initiation. live with it and move on, right?
how was your experience with basic, ariella? or was adam already in when you two married - he wasn't, was he?
Adam and I had been married for 2 years when he left for Basic. Josh had just turned 1. Brandi...don't hate me...we put our stuff in storage and we had a great time at my in-laws. Adam's mom is really the best. It seemed like FOREVER, but we made it through. I think I sent him a letter everyday and we got the rushed sub 5 minute phone calls on Sundays. I cried a lot. Yeah, I was a big ol' wuss.
But, look at me now! He's gone half the year and I hardly blink an eye. Yeah, whatever. I still cry, but we stay put. The kids go to school. I learn over and over that I can do it on my own. It's just not nearly as fun without Adam there, though.
Adam said the key to basic was being present, but always hanging just beneath the radar. He said you didn't want a drill sergeant's good attention or bad. Just be as invisible as possible.
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