Hi All!
Happy New Year!
No, I'm not Bryan but I am Bryan's dad, Mike. Bryan asked me to update his blog once in a while while he is away at BMT.
Bryan was able to call home twice since being gone. The first time was on the 18th when we were able to speak only briefly. He sounded harried but good.
The second time was Christmas Day when we were able to talk for about 30 minutes. He said he was feeling a little homesick but otherwise was doing well. There were a few tasks he was struggling with but was getting help from his fellow trainees, and likewise he was/is able to help them with things he is comfortable with as well.
Here is his mailing address if you want to send him a note. (I'm sure he would appreciate it if you did!)

AB Yates, Bryan, M.
320 TRS/FLT 153 Dorm "A-1”
1320 Truemper Street Unit 364021

Lackland AFB, TX 78236-5570 

A few instructions with the mail: 

Plain white envelopes please.

No food/treats.

No packages.

Nothing with glitter or anything that might mess up the cleanliness that is expected. 

Pictures are fine.

Words of encouragement are highly recommended! 

Thanks! I'll update as I get more news. 

Soundtrack

I'm calling this an adventure, and every good adventure needs a soundtrack. Not only are these  songs that I like, but they seem appropriate.

SCHEDULE

pulled from www.Airforce.com

Zero Week: Orientation

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here are some of the activities and requirements for Zero Week:

– In processing

– Haircuts

– Learn reporting statement

– Flight assignment

– Clothing and equipment issue

– Dorm and drill basics

– Individual duty assignment

– Entry control procedures

WEEK 1

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week One:

– Reporting and saluting

– Medical and dental appointments  (shots and xrays) Get ready for the shot in the butt.

– Fitness and nutrition

– Educational benefits briefing (MGIB/Post 9/11)

– ID card issue

– Individual drill

– Flight drill

– Dorm preparation

– Warrior role

– Law of armed conflict

– Chain of command

– Air Force rank insignia

– Weapon issue

– Weapon parts identification

– Human relations and cultural sensitivity

WEEK 2

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

– Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week Two:

– Career guidance  (big waste of time)

– Weapon handling and maintenance

– Integrated defense

– Cover and concealment

– Tactical movement

– Firing positions

– FPCON (Force Protection Conditions)

– Defensive fighting positions

– SALUTE (Size/Activities/Location/Unit ID/Time/Equipment) reporting

– Challenge procedures

WEEK 3

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week Three:

– SABC (Self Aid/Buddy Care) under fire

– Bleeding control

– Bandages and dressings

– Combat application tourniquet

– Blood clotting agents

– Splint fractures

– Internal bleeding

– Burn treatments

– Shock management

– Airway management

– Spinal injury

– Interview sessions

WEEK 4

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week Four:

– CBRNE/chamber training

– Anti-terrorism/Force protection level I

– Security programs

– Obstacle course

– Weapons evaluation (breakdown and assembly)

– Second clothing issue

– Dress and appearance (service uniform)

WEEK 5

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week Five:

– Introduction to the Code of Conduct

– TEMPER (Tent Extensible Modular Personal) tents

– CPR

– CATM (Combat Arms Training and Maintenance)

– Mental preparation for combat

– Pugil stick application

– Basic leadership

– Basic situational awareness

– AEF (Air Expeditionary Force) prep

– Public relations

– Joint warfare

WEEK 6

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week Six:

– SERE (Survival Evasion Resistance Escape)

– Deployment briefing

– Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training (BEAST)

WEEK 7

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week Seven:

– Air Force history

– Combat stress recovery

– Sexual assault prevention and reporting

– Suicide awareness and prevention

– Financial management

– Sexually transmitted diseases

– Ethics

– Evaluation of drill, reporting and courtesies

– PT (Physical Training) evaluation

– Written test

WEEK 8

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE

Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week Eight:

– Airmanship and core values

– Formal retreat/Airman’s coin ceremony

– Haircuts

– Technical school briefing

– Commanders departure briefing

– Town pass briefing

– Graduation

FAQ's

In various conversations with friends and family, I've noticed several questions that keep coming up. Therefore I have decided to compile them in one location, along with the answers.


Q: What branch are you joining?

A: United States Air Force Reserve

Q: Will that be full time?

A: No, the Reserve primarily operate one weekend a month, with a 2 week tour sometime during the year. However, there is always that chance/oppertunity of more than that.

Q: Where will you be stationed?

A: Travis AFB in Fairfield CA. That is the closest base with a Reserve unit.

Q: Will you be living on base?

A: No. I will likely continue to live in Hollister. At least for the time being.

Q:Where is your training at?

A: Basic Military Training, Boot Camp, will be conducted at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antionio Texas.

Q: When do you leave for BMT?

A: 18 December, 2012. 

Q: How long is BMT?

A: 8 1/2 weeks.

Q: When is graduation?

A: Graduation from BMT is the 3rd week of February. Graduation starts on Thur and runs through the weekend.

Q: Will you have internet?

A: No. Should you wish to contact me, it will have to be via snail mail. See my earlier post, Mail Call, for more details.

Q: What will your job be?

A: 2T2, Air Transportation.

Q: What happens after BMT?

A: I go on to Ft. Lee VA for Tech School. That is where I am taught the basics of my job.

Q: When will you finish Tech School?

A: The third week of April.

Q: Are you done after Tech School?

A: No, I then have 3 months on the job training at Travis, AFB.

Q: Do you plan on switching to Active Duty at a later date?

A: Maybe. That's something I shall have to wait and see what the future holds. 

Q: What kind of Airplane will you be flying?

A: I won't. Most jobs in the Air Force are to support those who fly instead of actually flying.

Mail Call

I have had a few people inquire about communication with me while I am in Texas. The only method will be via snail mail. I might get a short phone call each week, but that won't be enough to keep in touch with everyone. I won't know the exact address until I get there, but the following is the template you can use. Once the proper information is passed on, you can fill in the template.

AB LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, MIDDLE INITIAL
_ _ _ TRS/FLT _ _ _ (DORM “LETTER A or B” followed by a #)
1320 TRUEMPER STREET UNIT 36_ _ _ _
LACKLAND AFB, TX 78236- _ _ _ _ (zip code extension)

So in the end it will look something like:

AB Doe, John R
322TRS/FLT 253 (Dorm B-2)
1320 Truemper Street Unit 364068
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-6432

*TRS= Training Squadron
*FLT= Flight
* Airman Basic


Please just send postcards and/or letters. No packages, food, drinks, etc.  I will do my best to write back to everyone but give no guarantees. 

Smartest Enlisted

Of all the Services, the Air Force has the most intelligent enlisted people. This is not just theory; it's provable fact.

Take the Army. When the stuff hits the fan, the young Army private wakes up to the bellowing of his First Sergeant. He grabs his BDUs out of his foot locker, dresses, runs to the chow-hall for breakfast on the fly, then jumps in his tank. Pretty soon, the company commander, a captain, arrives, gives him a big salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, soldier!"

Now take the Navy. When the stuff hits the fan, the young Sailor is eating breakfast in the mess. He hustles the 20 feet to his battle station, stuffing extra pastries in his pocket as he goes. There he sits, in the middle of a big, steel target, with nowhere to run, when the Captain comes on the 1MC and says, "Give 'em Hell, Sailors! I salute you!"

Now take the Marines. When the stuff hits the fan, the young Marine is kicked out of bed by his First Sergeant and puts on the muddy set of BDUs he was wearing on the field exercise he was part of three hours earlier. He gets no breakfast, but is told to feel free to chew on his boots. He runs out and forms up with his rifle. Pretty soon, his company commander, a captain, comes out, gives the Marine a sharp salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, Marine!"

And then there's the Air Force. When the stuff hits the fan, the Airman receives a phone call at his off-base quarters. He gets up, showers,shaves, and puts on the fresh uniform he picked up from the BX cleaners the day before. He jumps in his car and cruises through the McDonalds drive-thru for an Egg McMuffin and Coca-Cola on his way into work. Once at work, he signs in on the duty roster. He proceeds to his F-15, spends 30 minutes pre-flighting it, and signs off the forms. Pretty soon the pilot, a young captain arrives, straps into the jet, and starts the engines. Our young Airman stands at attention, gives the aviator a sharp salute, and says, "Give 'em Hell, Captain!"







(I have friends in all branches of the US Military, so I post this poem in jest.)