USAF Basic Military Training, also known as boot camp or BMT, is a 8.5 week rigorous program of mental and physical training required in order for an individual to become an airman in the USAF, Air National Guard, or United States Air Force Reserve. BMT is carried out at Lack land Air Force Base in Texas, United States.  Getting the most out of basic training demands your highest level of personal effort, teamwork and effort. It is designed to teach you the critical importance of foundational knowledge and discipline that is required to succeed as airmen.

Training Schedule is –

Week Zero

• All trainees are issued clothing and equipment.
• They are given the opportunity to phone their next of kin and inform them of the safe arrival.
• Trainees will undergo an urinalysis test. Any trainee that fails the drug test will immediately be separated.
• All the Males receive their first haircut, where they are left fundamentally bald. While, females are instructed in the authorized hairstyling, which allow hair to be short enough to not touch the collar or in a bun.
• Physical fitness test, which is required for graduating BMT –
  • Males

• Female

Week 2

• In this week, trainees will sit down with a job counselor and are shown a list of jobs they qualify for, and that are available.
• Trainees are instructed to prioritize that list in order of preference.
• Trainees also learn law of armed conflict, chain of command, insignia, integrated base defense, firing force protection and positions, tactical movement, etc.
• M-16 weapon is issued.

Week 3

• During this week, trainees endure extensive training with the M-16 rifle.
• They will practice and learn the handling of the weapon and the rules of safe use.
• They will also receive training in how to repair the M-16, clean, disassemble and assemble.
• Trainees are trained in buddy care and self-aid.

Week 4

• Trainees go through the Air Force Obstacle Course, which consists of 20 obstacles, designed to test will power, strength and endurance.
• Trainees will also go through CBRNE training (gas mask training in gas chamber) and learn how to counter threats such as security beaches, chemical and biological weapons and terrorism.

Week 5

• In this week, trainees will be instructed in various rifle fighting techniques, and are also instructed in pugil stick fighting techniques.
• Trainees will visit CATM where they will fire and qualify using an M-16 rifle. In this training period, trainees will fire a total of 90 rounds at a target at 300 yards, 180 yards and 75 yards in the prone, kneeling, sitting and standing positions.
• The qualification course is broken into three phase –
  • Phase 1 (Battle Sight Grouping and Zero) – In this phase, the trainee is assisted in sighting in the rifle. After each shot group (in prone position), the instructor and the trainee will examines the target (75 yards). The instructor will give advice like jerking the trigger, breathing, etc. to the trainee for correcting issues.
  • Phase 2 (Practice Phase) – In this phase, the trainee will fire a total of 24 rounds from four different positions; standing, sitting, kneeling and prone. Each round is timed and the trainee will have to reload a fresh magazine during the round. The targets for this phase are all man-sized targets at 180 yards.
  • Phase 3 (Qualification Phase) – During this phase, trainees will fire a total of 40 rounds at a man-sized target at 300 yards.

To pass this course, the trainee must hit the target at least 20 times. If a trainee hit the target at least 43 times, then he will be qualified for the Small Arms Expert Ribbon.

Week 6

• During this week, trainees are sent to the BEAST on the Medina Annex for the final test in BMT. BEAST is an abbreviation for Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training. BEAST is an intense and grueling 96-hour exercise that will push the trainee to her or his limits.
  • The trainees are required to wear helmets and body armor, and to carry at all time their rucksacks, M16 rifle, two canteens, a flashlight, a full chemical MOPP suit and gas mask, and three MREs.
  • The site has four zones: Sentinel, Vigilant, Predator and Reaper.
  • Each zone is a ring of 12 field tents; 10 for barracks, one for hospital tent and one for command post, and is centered around a hardened briefing facility (serves as an armory and bomb shelter) and a three-story observation tower.
  • The zone is divided by five sandbag defensive firing positions.
  • Trainees learn to spot IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and then use the trail in training scenarios.

Week 7

• Trainees will receive intensive classroom instruction about the difficulties many members face when they return from a deployment like alcohol abuse, family issues, financial management, etc.
• Trainees will also continue to practice drill and have dorm inspections.

Graduation Week

• The final written tests will be taken. Each test consists of 100 questions and the trainee must score a minimum of seventy percent to pass.
• In order to qualify as a possible honor graduate, the trainee must score over ninety percent in each test.
• All trainees will participate in the 2.5 mile run, which is known as the Airman’s Run. After a run, they will tell you that the run is actually 3.5 miles. But, this run is a victory celebration of the challenges overcome.
• The day before graduation, trainees will be presented with the Airman’s coin.
• After receiving the coin, they are no longer a trainee and have earned the right to be called an Airman.

The next day is the graduation parade, which marks the end of BMT and the beginning of an Airman’s career.