Air Force boot camp is designed to test patience, endurance, and mental and physical strength, as well as provide a sense of pride and accomplishment. Immediately upon arrival, training begins emphasizing the importance of remaining alert and attentive at all times. Orders are given quickly and sharply, with a volume and intensity intended to create a sense of urgency. During a military career, a recruit should be aware that he or she will almost certainly be placed in situations that require immediate and decisive action. As a result, situational training is designed to mimic a hostile and panicked environment.
An atmosphere of adversity and stress is created from the first day of Air Force boot camp to indoctrinate the recruit in thinking and acting under pressure. Sleep deprivation is a common tactic used to keep recruits or airmen mentally and physically off balance. Donning the government-issued uniform and sitting for a haircut is usually the first lesson learned. You will be uniquely you in your civilian clothes reflecting personal style at one point. The next thing you know, you’re having trouble recognizing the person with whom you were just speaking — everyone is dressed identically, and each of you has been reduced to a number with no identity.
The rest of Air Force boot camp is spent learning about military history, memorizing ranks, practicing protocol, honing skills, developing discipline, passing inspections, and avoiding mistakes. Each airman is assigned a task, which can range from cooking to scheduling dorm guards. Typically, an airman’s role comes with a level of responsibility that corresponds to his or her level of prestige.
Honor graduate is a goal that all airmen can strive for. It is largely determined a student’s performance on the final Air Force boot camp examination and demonstration of specific physical abilities. Because the honor graduate award contributes to promotion points and serves as evidence of the highest level of boot camp achievement, a concerted effort should be made throughout the eight-and-a-half-week Air Force Boot Camp.