Personal Narrative: Basic Training In The United States Air Force

Growing up the daughter of an Army Basic Training failure was an embarrassment for quite some time. My father went to Army Basic Training straight out of high school, and came back shortly after leaving. He was discharged for injuries of his knees; he was weak. One would not assume a child of someone who failed Basic Training would be eager to go, however I knew it was my time as soon as I received a call from a recruiter asking me to come in. It was my chance to show my dad the person I am without him, as well as fight for my country. I conquered Basic Training the summer in between the summer of my junior and senior year at the age of seventeen. There are four easy steps to Basic Training: two flights, reception, training,

Over the course of the past four weeks, The Chief Petty Officer Academy has challenged my thought processes, pushed my physical abilities, and helped me become a more professional, even tempered chief and leader. My experience at Training Center Petaluma has encouraged and nurtured new leadership qualities that I will implement within The United States Coast Guard Band to help improve the climate of the organization. Of the seemingly countless elements that I will employ in my effort to be a better Chief upon return, there are three that are most memorable. First, the over-arching leadership curriculum has aided me in the development of a concise leadership philosophy. Second, courses in facilitative leadership have significantly improved my

I went pre-med before getting deployed and as an intern I've seen a lot of horrible things. But when it's your friend... Someone you serve with... It stays with you forever.

March 2006, I made the best decision in my life, and that was to join the U.S. Navy. I left for the boot camp two months later. I have no idea what is going to be in stores for me when I hit boot camp. What I can tell was that my hands felt clammy and I was very nervous and anxious at the same time. I knew the moment that I arrive to Great Lakes, Illinois, and my life would change forever. I knew physically that I would change but how about mentally?

Did I make it? That was the question I was asking myself the night before what was going to be one of the most special days of my life. After being called to leave for Air Force Basic Training on a short 8-day notice, I was now finally at the end of my journey and tomorrow I would graduate and become an Airmen. The nerves and excitement were running through my body as I was unable to sleep in anticipation of the big day. Now the day is here and I get to celebrate all my hard work by seeing my family and earning the title of an Air Force Airmen.

Coming from humble beginnings in Taylor, Michigan a medium sized town of 60,000 thirty minutes from the heart of Detroit and living just near Detroit Metropolitan International airport. I was came to be fascinated by anything related to the world of aviation hearing the powerful roar as the engines spooled up and seeing such a massive object like a jumbo jet tumbling down the runway it always amazed me to see such a thing take to the sky. Seeing the airplanes coming in and coming out made me think to myself where the people onboard have been the places they’re coming from, where they are going, all the interesting and far off places that I didn’t know if I’d ever see my lifetime. This inspired me when I was 18 years old to join the United States Air Force and get paid to fix and work on these massive machines.

I am getting ready to go to the United States Drill Sergeant School, May 2011. All I have heard at this point was how hard the school is from everyone in my Battalion. Christopher Peeples had just graduated and returned from the school, so I made sure to discuss the school with him. He informed me that as long as I learned the first three modules, I would be fine. Easy for him to say, I have always been horrible at memorizing anything since I was younger. So I studied the first three modules; the position of attention, the hand salute, and the rest position for the halt.

It all started on a dare, I was told to join the armed forces. So I did, but everything changed that day when I saw a petty officer sprinting down the street. Only to stop not 2 feet in front of me and say “urgent telegram for Sergeant Rose!!” Which is when I knew that something was different because I never get anything important from the air force, I had only become sergeant a month ago. The briefing was hard because we knew most wouldn’t come back. Then it was shipping day. The steps toward the plane weren’t any better most of the men were married and yet most of them knew, knew that more likely than not they weren’t making it back. As for the ones that would be able to sleep on their own beds after this, well it would be worse. They would have to live with the fact that they lost their brothers in arms, but hey I'm getting ahead of myself, gotta focus on surviving.

I gave up more than I got to become a member of the United States Air Force (USAF). Have you considered what you give up to be a part of your community? Time? Hairstyles? Clothing? Individuality? It was a sense of duty that compelled me. More than that, it was a drive to find my purpose and to be a part of something larger and more than myself. The first step to becoming a part of this community was to go through the literal hurdles of military basic training. Not everyone makes it. You have to become one team, one flight, to graduate.

I joined the Marine Corps looking for a challenge. I wanted to open doors for a new career and longed to have a positive impact on the world around me. Looking back five years later, I realize I found all that I originally sought, but I’ve also found something profoundly satisfying and meaningful that I never knew I was missing.

Hey Nate, Congratulations on recently finishing up with the Air force. Where is Holloman, New Mexico AFB exactly; never heard of that particular post? I actually grew up not to far from White Sands Missile Range, and drilled out of Kirkland AFB for a couple years. How does the reality feel acclimating back to civilian life? I could not handle the process myself. After leaving active duty I crawled back to the reserves a few months later. What is your business concentration in? I too am eight classes away from my business degree in marketing, then go straight to my masters program.

Have you ever felt like you weren't really sure what to do with your life? Especially during senior year, with so many options to choose from. I felt that same exact way. I didn't know what school i wanted to go to or even what career I wanted to pursue. So I just decided to join the U.S. Army.

Ever since I was younger, my dream has always been serving in the United States military. My grandfather was a Colonel when he served his time in the military in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, he was working with the United States military to take a stand against communism. When my family and I migrated from Vietnam to United States in 2003, I realized that I can finally work hard to accomplish my childhood dream. I had always been thankful for the opportunities and freedom this country has given me and my family. Therefore, I learned not to ever take the things we have for granted. Now that I am older, I want to be able to serve and protect the United States of America. I decided that I want to join the Air Force instead of other

I regret joining the army. I know it is just my first week, but there are so many challenges I had to deal with. For example, when I was out on the battlefield fighting those horrid British Islanders I saw a javelin headed right towards me. My friend Robert had taken the hit for me. His leg was amputated and now he despises of me. They also have very strong punishments back at the fort. One time, my friend Jerry stole a shoe from the shoemaker and they gave him 18 lashes with a whip! Sometimes, I am very afraid of these things happening to me, mother. I know I joined the army because it would bring honor and money to the family, but some days…I just want to go home.

The United States Air Force (USAF) is composed of a diverse workforce. Its men and women come from all walks of life and their contributions make the USAF the world’s premier fighting force. I’m a proud member of this dedicated team of professionals. My Air Force story is, but one out of thousands of others illustrating the diverse backgrounds and values our Airmen bring to our force, the experiences that shape our understanding of the profession of arms, and the contributions we make to the Air Force’s mission.