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Graduation Awards
While at Basic Military Training ( BMT), trainees are able to get
recognized for both individual and group achievements. This article
will give you an overview of the different awards and ribbons a
trainee can earn while at BMT.
BEAST Excellence
Basic Expeditionary Airmen Skills Training (BEAST) takes place
during week 6 of BMT. BEAST is a simulated combat deployment
exercise in which trainees are responsible for securing a zone in
the simulated country of "THOR". The zones are called "Reaper",
"Phantom (Predator)", "Sentinel" and "Vigilant". There are multiple flights
assigned to each zone.
During BEAST week each zone will be graded on the various scenarios
they will encounter, activities they are asked to perform and their
overall motivation. At the end of BEAST week the BEAST instructors
will award BEAST Excellence to the zone that out performed all
others. Points are awarded to the flights based on their ranking
during BEAST week, with the flights earning BEAST Excellence getting
the most points. These points will be used towards the flights
earning Warrior Flight or Honor Flight.
The flights that earn BEAST Excellence do not get any special
privileges for winning but they do get bragging rights for beating
out all the other flights.
Warrior Flight
While at BMT, flights are constantly being evaluated on different
activities they are required to perform. These activities include
drill, academics, entry controller, emergency evacuation, fitness,
marksmanship, bearing & discipline checks and BEAST excellence.
Based on the total points earned during BMT, if a flight meets or
exceeds the required amount of points, they can be recognized as
being a Warrior Flight. More than one flight can be awarded the
Warrior Flight status since the determining factor for achieving the
status is based on total points earned. Flights that achieve Warrior
Flight do not get special privileges beyond the pride of knowing
they did a great job as a team to earn that status.
Honor Flight
Based on all of the evaluations made during BMT, one flight will be
recognized as being the Honor Flight. This flight is recognized as
being the best flight out of all the other flights graduating that
week. This is obviously a status that all the trainees and their
Military Training Instructors (MTI) are striving for. The Honor
Flight does get the special privilege of having an additional town
pass day on the Sunday of graduation week.
Air Force Basic Training Ribbon
All Airmen graduating BMT will earn the Air Force Basic Training
Ribbon to wear on their uniforms throughout their Air Force career.
National Defense Medal
All members of the military that serve our country during a time of
war/conflict are authorized to wear the National Defense Medal. As a
result, all Airmen currently graduating BMT are awarded this medal.
The ribbon version is usually worn with the blues uniform and the
actual medal version is usually worn with formal dress blues or mess
dress uniform attire.
Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Each trainee has the ability to earn the status of expert marksman
when they qualify on the M-16 weapon during BMT. In order to achieve
this award trainees must score enough points on their target to meet
or exceed to expert marksman threshold. Trainees that achieve this
status will be awarded the Expert Marksman ribbon to wear on their
uniform during their Air Force career. Airmen that do not earn this
ribbon during BMT will have additional opportunities to earn it
during future weapons qualifications at Tech School and/or permanent
base assignments.
Honor Graduate
Airmen who excel during BMT may be awarded BMT Honor Graduate
status. Airmen achieving this status are awarded the Air Force Basic
Training Honor Graduate Ribbon that will be worn throughout their
Air Force career. Only the top 10 percent of each flight are
eligible for being selected as Honor Graduate. In order to be
eligible for Honor Graduate, the following requirements apply:
1. Trainee must achieve Thunderbolt or Warhawk status on their
fitness test
2. Trainee must score 90 percent or higher on all written exams
3. Trainee must have passed all inspections
4. Trainee must be recommended by their MTI for Honor Graduate
status
Honor Graduates will be recognized during a special ceremony
on Thursday of graduation week. In addition, Honor Graduates are
given the special privilege of having an additional town pass day on
the Sunday of graduation week.
***Note from Diane Dickey: Yes every flight can earn enough points
for warrior flight. There is also PT male and PT female flight and a
top PT airman for each sex. About top 10% will get honor graduate.
(One Airman will get the top spot) Then after all scores and
inspections are in, the top flight is 1st place called honor flight.
Warrior flights, honor flight, honor graduates do get that town pass
on Sunday. Oh and you have to get named a warrior flight to be in
the running for honor flight!
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