More rifles and wrinkles for AF recruits

San Antonio Express-News ^ | 22 November 2005 | Scott Huddleston

[Racehorse]

"Basically, the goal is to establish a warrior ethos in the airmen," Sargent said. "We send a message that, regardless of the reason they joined, whether it's educational opportunities or technical training, they're warriors first and foremost."

In the past, recruits spent their first week in classrooms, learning about noncombat topics. Now they're being prepared for a combat environment and warned about the psychological stresses of war early on in training. They're taught weapons training, security, first aid and other war skills and go through a mock predeployment briefing early in the course.

Col. Gina Grosso, commander of Lackland's 737th Training Group, said: "It takes a different kind of airman to be successful in these kinds of engagements. When you've got an enemy who's got a bomb strapped to their chest, there's a different kind of risk."

Some Air Force officers want to see basic training grow to 10 weeks, comparable to training in the Army and Marines.

[ . . . ]

Over the next year, some 38,000 airmen, including 8,000 Guard and Reserve members, are expected to go through basic training at Lackland

[2banana]

Do they still teach them how to hold their pinky out when having tea...?

[birbear]

My ex served in the Air Force in the late 70's/early 80's. I guess training was a little lax. When it came time for her to qualify on the M-16, she had a hard time hitting the target. The recruit next to her hit her target for her so that she would qualify.


Not saying all Air Force training is that bad...but in the past it definitely was not a "Warrior" training program.

[Russ]

Now that was uncalled for...

[kAcknor]

About Time.

I spent 21 years in the Air Force and the common joke was if the enemy was to come through the fence we were to throw a 9/16 open end wrench at them then run like hell.

We didn't see a firearm except maybe once every 4 or 5 years as we were sent overseas, and then only that once.

I think that every service, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard Army should adopt the Marine standard of everyone is first and foremost a rifleman and dirt grunt.

[clee1]

I'm not knocking the Air Force, for their service is as valuable to our Nation as any. However, most join that branch to avoid ground combat in favor of more technical aspects of military service.

"Warriors" join the Marines or an Army combat arm.

Again, not knocking them because their service IS truely valuable and honorable.

[Blood of Tyrants]

The 6 week AF summer camp was a joke even to us 8 week and 2 day sailors. glad they are gettins some real training.

[AllingtonCastle]

The FUNNIEST THING IVE EVER seen!!!!

[Holicheese]

Pinky up and with our Ascots properly tied!

[bluetone006]

First - I think this will be welcomed by most recruits. Second - about time.

[Racehorse]

Now that was uncalled for...

He's just living up to his screen name.

Fools do rush in . . .

[HairOfTheDog]

Guys with cool jobs.

[American Quilter]

Not saying all Air Force training is that bad...but in the past it definitely was not a "Warrior" training program.

That was my experience. When I went through in the late 70s, women didn't even fire an M-16, only a .38. And it wasn't hard to pass the qualification test. The Air Force is about high-tech and computers and work that's done behind the lines, not combat (except for aerial combat, of course). It's a different service with a different role.

[SirChas]

Good pic! I was in a F-106 squadron and got a sortie on a "B" model just like in your picture.

[ken5050]

There was a thread here withi the last few days about how the USAF ws looking to separate about 4000 officers in the next two years...Reason given was that officer retention was up, which is always good news, but I wonder if the two aren't related..

BTW..I often think that just about the hairiest thing you will ever see any young EM doing is the boom operator on a tanker..pitch black night, flying the boom into a B-52..

[American Quilter]

Pinky up and with our Ascots properly tied!

You betcha. Someonehas to keep the standards high.

[saganite]

It's reinventing the wheel. My Uncle was in the Air Force in the 50's and he was qualified on the M-1, the .45 and Ma Deuce. He also received Army basic training.

Those here looking down their noses at the wrench benders obviously have never seen a B-52 strike or the aftermath of an airfield attack after the AF gets done with it. The combat arm of the Air Force represents a very small portion of the total manpower but the results are disproportionate to the # of folks involved.

[Newbomb Turk]

My Air Force friend said they shot off the deck of a ship with the goal of hitting the ocean.

Still great guys every one of em.

[ken5050]

well, since she's now your ex...maybe it's a good thing for you she couldn't hit anything..(G)

[elbucko]

I think that every service, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard Army should adopt the Marine standard of everyone is first and foremost a rifleman and dirt grunt.

That was U.S. Army policy when I was in during '60's-'70's. No matter what you did or who you were, in the end you were a rifleman.