In survey, Lackland drill instructors rip leaders, say they fear recruits

San Antonio Express-News, via Stars & Stripes ^ | May 29, 2014 | Sig Christenson

[Timber Rattler]

A survey of basic-training instructors conducted during the worst sex scandal in Air Force history revealed a sharp distrust of senior commanders at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and a widespread fear of recruits.

In occasionally bitter comments, some instructors lashed out at basic-training leaders.

They talked of stressful working conditions and declining standards that had made training too easy, with recruits even saying they expected to have a harder time.

The survey, done last year and obtained this week by the San Antonio Express-News, revealed basic training remains haunted by recruit abuse and misconduct, the same issues that prompted a major makeover at Lackland.

[vetvetdoug]

3708 BMTS in January 1974 a year after I had left college after playing football. I delayed enlisted one year and one week after I had joined to keep my draft lottery number of 30 being used. A week after I delayed enlisted Nixon called off the draft. I stayed in shape and the USAF basic was a piece of cake. I was reared in the USAF and my Father was a former D.I. and had been a member of TAC and SAC. Basic training was home week for six weeks. When I got to my duty station I was allowed to train with Marines at Gulfport NCBC and earned my marksmanship ribbons learning from them because I had to have them to be able to carry and participate in Honor Guard ceremonies. I have a great respect for the Marine NCO's that taught me at the range. Most USAF members then hadn't a clue about combat.

My Father was required to carry an M-1 Carbine and had combat training when he was a member of SAC in the 1950's. He was at Bien Hoa and Takli as a Senior NCO in the 1960's and used his experience well at Bien Hoa several times.

[quadrant]

I'm not surprised.

[BluH2o]

I went through Basic Training at Lackland AFB in 1977, and our course was 6 weeks long and included one half of one day on the Confidence Course.

Went thru PI back in the mid 60's. A fellow recruit was corresponding with a buddy who had joined the AF and left for Lackland for basic the same day he (the Marine recruit) left for PI. Our platoon was about half way thru our 13 week recruit training cycle at PI when the AF guy wrote to say he had graduated and was on his way home on boot leave.

[cva66snipe]

Great Lakes Basic Training March 1982, age 27, Pensacola AOCS 1984, turned 30, was dubbed the old man.

I spent most of the winter of 1976-77 at Great Lakes. First for Basic then a week leave home post Basic, back to GLNTC for Apprentice Training Fireman, then in early Feb 77 to my ship.

Our Company Commander was a MMC with Dolphins. He loved to use the word Dive followed by Mother. That winter was one of the coldest. To go to the Mess Hall many times it was put on as many layers as you could wear and get there as best you could. Many days he couldn't march us out on the grinder but he made up for it in PT in the barracks and Drill Hall. His mind games were a riot also. He put the fear in you and rightfully so.

I've been hazed {Snipe shipboard traditional initiation now against Navy regs,} kissed the Royal Baby then walked the gauntlet in a grease tube from the galley, and worked in bilges coming out so black Mom wouldn't have know me LOL.

[the anti-mahdi]

Yeah, I am a shellback too. I threw away the uniform I was wearing.

Hahahahaha, it was fun, kind of like getting into a brawl fun, you knew what was coming but laughed anyway.

I had snot freezing on the end of nose in March! Sounds like were there in the dead of winter.

Ricky Crud. Everyone got it. Lungs full of mucus, laryngitis, fever and chills, but you stayed in training just the same.

Yeah, they break you down and put you back together the way they want you to be.

I thank you for your service, there was no draft, you volunteered, and you went through those same WWII hangars that I did.

Paintings were pretty cool on the walls. It was good to be young. Bless you sir.

[gundog]

To paraphrase my TI at Lackland: “You really think anybody gives a f#@! if you fold your underwear in 6” squares? We’re here to see if you can follow orders...period.”

[cva66snipe]

Thanks for your service and bless you too. You know what was so bad that winter I came home to east Tennessee for Christmas after Basic and lakes here were iced up also. The weather after the first of the year up there really got bad. We were told maximum times we could stay outside & shovel snow LOL.

[Yo-Yo]

Sgt. Robertson, is that you?

[ops33]

I was a few years ahead of you but pretty much the same thing. First two weeks they marched you to death, second two weeks they taught you do death, third two weeks they bored you to death.