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Are you ready for BMT?
While you are in a whirl wind of getting things packed & ready to go
here are a few things that I've picked up along the way.
As a new recruit, please
know that we wish you well
on this journey..... You've
got this, Your parent/spouse
& family have got you and
we've got them! Break your
tennis shoes in before you
go to avoid blisters.
Your shirt should be a
plain shirt. (No AF or other
logos)
Check the weather for the
week you are leaving so you
know how to dress
appropriately.
The MTI is going to yell
no matter what! Just listen
to what they are saying, Not
how they say it. They'll be one of
the best mentors you'll ever
have!!!
At least a week before
leaving start getting your
body set to the TX time,
wake up at 4:30 am and in
bed by 9 PM. No sugar, tv,
soda, sweets, start drinking
lots of water and milk.
Packing List for BMT
Clothing...
Recruits need to take
clothing to wear until
uniforms are issued. We
suggest about 3 days.
Things to know before you
leave
Documents to prepare before shipping:
Although it's the very last thing we want to think of, sometimes we
have financial issues with either bills, banking institutions or,
worst case, an illness or injury while at BMT. In most cases a
simple DPOA (Durable Power of Attorney) will come in handy. Should
you decide to, give your POA to someone you trust without doubt. POA
will come in handy if needed and you are not reachable. It is
advised that you take precautions to make sure that you add "Not to
be used to open credit accounts". The last thing you want is more
debt, and it has been known to happen.
A Health Care POA & Advanced Medical Directive will help in the
event of illness or injury. Your POA will be able to get information
easier &, in the event you're not able to make decisions on your
own, can step in to make medical decisions based on your wants & the
doctors advise.
Some MEPS offer this for free. Then you can give
copies to your POA if they are there with you or you can mail them
home. Should you need one done while you are at BMT, you will need
to go thru the chain of command, make an appointment with legal and
then follow thru while there.
Get Fit & Be Ready:
Practice your PT (Physical Training) now, running, push ups, sit ups
done now will be extremely helpful to you once you are there.
Things around the house:
Clean your room. Your recruiter will more than likely give you this
order before you leave. But I can guarantee you that your loved one
will walk into your room several times while you are gone to just
sit there while they miss you.
Finish any undone jobs around the house.
Show your love before you go:
Write your loved one a letter. More than likely this will help them
while you're away until they are given contact information. Trust
when I say this letter will make a difference! Share HIS Love. Hope,
Inspiration, Support & Love!
Videos/Photos:
If you're the spouse & do certain things a certain way, record it.
Do you have to fix something that always seems to go out. Record
instructions for this so he/she will know what to do while you're
away.
If you have small children, tape yourself either alone or together
reading them a story or prayer.
Now would be wonderful time to take a family portrait.
Strange but oh so helpful:
Get some dry clean wash cloths and wipe your arms & neck down. Put
the towel in a zip lock baggy. The scent will help both the family &
our animals.
After taking a shower, put on & off a few oversize shirts & spray
with your cologne or perfume. The scent will help both the adults &
children.
Men, cut a lock of hair for your loved one. Yes, even if it leaves a
bald circle on your head. Your head will be shaved bald anyway, and
your loved one can carry this in a locket or put it into a memory
book or box. Women you can do the same thing by leaving a lock of
hair for your loved one too.
Talk about it:
Communication is key to a healthy & happy relationship & while you
are away even more so.
Talk about how you're going to handle illness, injury or worse yet
death of a loved one or family pet. If you have elderly family
members that are not doing well, visit them. The unexpected can
always happen. When my daughter left for the Air Force, her great
grandmother was already in her 90s. They had a wonderful visit
before she left. Grams was one to tell it like it is and said, 'In
the event I pass away while you're away, you will not be told. I
want you to concentrate on what you have to do to accomplish your
dreams. I've lived my life & want you not to worry about me. Besides
there won't be anything you can do about it.'
What to do in case of an emergency (fire, flood, tornado,
earthquake, etc.) ALWAYS have a 3rd party out of state contact
number. As soon as they are safe and able to, they should contact
your 3rd party to let them know they are ok and give a message that
can be given to you in case you are unable to contact them.
It will be a difficult time but each family will have to decide what
is best. I hope you never have to use the American Red Cross (ARC)
but if you do, the information is also listed.
http://www.redcross.org/
Family & friends are allowed to follow you to MEPS to see you sworn
in. Take a camera! You may want to get a room at the hotel where the
recruit is staying, however, they are now the property of the
military and you may or may not have as much time together as you
planned.
Decide if your arrival call will be picked up or go straight to
voicemail. It will be fast, loud & hectic. It may even come in the
middle of the night. If you tape it they will be able to replay it
often to get the #'s just right or to even hear your voice. Your
next contact may not be for a minimum 10 days. You can also put a
personal outgoing message for your Trainee/AB. Shout out HIS Love
(Hope, Inspiration, Support & Love) does it matter if someone else
gets the message? NO! If they're calling you on your phone, chances
are they are familiar with the fact that your loved one is an
Trainee/AB. I'm sure they will not only understand, but will ask if
they can write too.
And lastly, know that you are loved! No matter how bad your day is,
someone at home wishes you were right with them but know &
understand the commitment you have made. This is NOT summer camp. It
will not be easy for you or for those of us left at home. Stay
focused and keep pushing yourself! Hope, Inspiration, Support & Love
(H.I.S. LOVE) goes out to all!
Thank you~
U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet
http://www.basictraining.af.mil/library/factsheets/
Financial Preparation:
It's important to take care of personal matters before you leave.
Basic Training is designed to be stressful and you will need to
focus all your attention on training.
Check with your recruiter if you have questions or are unsure about
how to handle any of the following matters:
" * " are added notes from Air Force MOMS BMT
Who will receive your mail? *( One set of Information is sent to one
address only. If you have divorced parents, please make arrangements
to have this taken care of BEFORE you leave.)
Does your family have access to your finances? *Bank accounts, etc.
(If not, does someone have both your POA & MED POA?)
How will your bills be paid while you are gone? *(Have you given
your POA to someone? )
Does someone know what bills are due and when? * (You MAY not be
able to contact the bank during normal business hours, so please
make arrangements for a trustworthy family member or friend to
handle things while you are at BMT)
What other things could pop up in the time you are away? * (Do you
have a elderly family member who is sick? Have you discussed how you
will handle the death of a loved one, perhaps even the family pet)
Does your family know whom to contact in the event of an emergency?
* (Please read Contact American Red Cross or the Arrival Call)
Have you set up a bank account prior to your arrival? * (Payment is
only done by Auto Deposit, NO Exceptions. Take a blank check.)
*When getting you paperwork together, we have created 'The Black
Book" and suggest that you put your own together to get yourself
organized!
The Black Book
Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and in doing so, we are
always looking for ways to assist you and your trainee or airmen. We
feel so strongly that this book will make a positive impact not only
in the Air Force career, but in the business world for all that we
are sharing this with you.
https://www.facebook.com/APracticalGuideToSuccessInTheUnitedStatesAirForce
Written by Ret. USAF Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Q Phillips. "Chief Q"
is a weekly guest speaker here on Air Force Moms. He is also kind
enough to create a discount code for all of us. Just follow these
instructions.
1.Go to
www.createspace.com/3859947.
2.Click on "Add To Cart."
3.Go to "Apply Discount" on bottom right and type in MW67K6V8.
Disclosure: Air Force MOMS BMT does not make, receive or exchange
any money from the sales or in sharing this information.
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