To even be considered for Honor Graduate, recruits must achieve the "Thunderbolt" physical fitness level. For males, be able to run 1.5 miles in 9:30, perform 55 push-ups in two minutes, and 60 sit-ups in two minutes, and be able to perform 5 pull-ups. For females, be able to run 1.5 miles in 10:00, perform 32 push-ups in two minutes, 35 sit-ups in two minutes, and do 2 pull-ups.
Additionally, the recruit must score at least a 90 percent on the 4th week academic test, and never fail a graded inspection (graded inspections are conducted randomly after week #3). The recruit must also never receive a negative mark in his/her written evaluations (which are done by the T.I.).
Just because one meets the above standards does not mean they will automatically be selected as an honor graduate. Current regualtions limit the number of selectees to no more than 10 percent of the flight. So, how far you exceed the above standards can make or break whether or not you are selected.
Graduation. Everyone (who graduates) will leave Basic Training on the Monday following the graduation parade (which is on the preceding Friday). You will either depart for a different base for technical training, or you'll pick up your bags and march down the street to in-process into one of the technical training squadrons located at Lackland AFB. For detailed information about the Graduation Ceremony and visits from friends and family members during graduation week, see Surviving Air Force Basic Training Graudation.
Wrapping it Up
- Some 70 percent of Air Force Recruits at Basic are men and 30 percent are women
- Half of enlistees join for educational benefits
- 30 percent say they came in to learn a skill
- Only seven out of every 100 recruits “wash out” of training — most for medical reasons
- 86 percent of graduates enter active duty
- 10 percent join the Guard and the remaining 4 percent become reservists
- Know your reporting statement - "Sir, trainee ______ reports as orderd." This will be the first thing out of your mouth every time a TI ask you a question, unless the answer is No Sir, or Yes Sir. For example, if a TI were to ask you where you are from: "Sir, Trainee ---- reports as orderd. Sir, I am from ---. However, there is only one reporting statement per conversation. So, if the same TI were to ask you another question immediately following the first, all you would have to do would be to answer. Remember your reporting statement and life will go easy.
- Learn your memory work. The first night you are there you should get a sheet of paper with the names and rank of every person over you from your TI's, all the way up to Brig. Gen. Van Valkenburg. Do your best to memorize this by the end of zero week! Its not hard to do, and often times TI's will give out free time to the person who knows it best. On top of your chain of command, you'll have to know the rank insignia of everyone from an AB to a General.
- Dont screw up your Red Line inspection. I failed my Red Lines, luckily I wasnt a trouble maker and our Section Supervisor didnt recycle me. Everything you need to know about how to fold your clothes, where to put them in the locker, and even how to make your bed is in a nice book inside your wall locker. If you read that book, and do EXACTLY what it says you'll graduate from BMT in six weeks. Don't think that inspections are over after red line either, because there are suprise inspections (up to five a week) that can happen at any given moment after week 3. BE ON TOP OF EVERYTHING. Our entire flight would be up until 11pm every night shining boots, clipping strings, or folding laundry.
- Volunteer. Don't believe what people say about never volunteering. If you volunteer to be latrine queen, or the urinal col. your TI is going to notice that and in the back of his mind he'll be sizing you up as someone who cares and doesnt mind sticking his neck out- again, service before self.
- Zero week - there is not enough time to eat, sleep, or even relieve yourself. You'll be up at 0400 and in bed around 2100. During this time you'll have some hot headed OJT dorm guards. These guys are in their 4th or 6th week of training, and to put it into perspective we called them mini Hitlers. They think they're big ####, but they're just as afraid of a TI as you are. Zero week is also when you get your first clothing issue, please make it easy on yourself and dont screw up the laundry mark when you write it. We had a kid scar himself for the rest of training because he kept messing up his laundry mark, he ended up getting canned during out fourth week of training.
