Leaving to basic

[chirapachegurl]

Okay everybody my last day to be able to post will be on the 26th of this month. I am leaving to basic training for the air force and I need some advice, like the do's and don'ts. I am feeling a little bit of everything. I feel anxious, nervous, excited, sad, a little hypocritycal, honored, and ready. I feel anxious because I have been enlisted since May, I feel nervous because I have an idea as to what I should expect, but I'm not sure of the experience. I feel sad because my daughter will be here and I will miss her so much in the nights. A little hypocritical because it was the very military that massacred a lot of my people in cold blood and it is the very thing that I am joining, also because I am against the government. I feel honored because I feel like I am joining and representing my people in an internationaly known service and I am an indian in the service, an indian woman who is strong. And I feel ready to be responsible and take the challenge. :rtf:

[superndngyrl]

hey i joined when i was 19 (air guard/reserves --> ALL AIR FORCE HAS THE SAME BASIC TRAINING) the idea of it was scary but after all my experiences in it... it definitely was worth it.

Have u been working it out? Can u run your 2 miles and do push ups and sit ups?

Um my advice is to be a flag guard. hahaha Thats what i was and we stood in the back and had a good ol time. hhahaha we were always being told to hush.

Volunteer for KP and base cleanup. KP means u get to eat anything u want and Base Cleanup means u get to go off the base and walk around and pickup trash instead of being w/all your same troupe... I tell ya being in a room full of 30 or 40 women for 6 weeks can drive any person insane!

oh yea... granny panties are the easiest to fold and sports bras. save the fancy stuff for when you're done w/basic. Um don't cut your hair just practice braiding it and tucking it under. I cut my hair and hated it... there's always other girls that can braid it for u if u need too.

and.... try and get along w/everyone some of them girls get all happy w/power and wanna tell ya what to do but just stay cool and remember its only 6 weeks! actually the first 2 weeks are the worst.

hope this helps! :) u can PM me if u have any questions or anything.

Good luck!

[Dezgn8veDriver]

A lot of emotions going through you CHIRAPACHE....best wishes for you....:).

[Peacekeeper83]

my advice would be....look at it as a game....play the game by the rules....things will be ok....try and buck the rules...it will get you everytime...if your instructors..tell ya to do something you don't like...just do it.....its really not that bad...just a new way of thinking...I was in the Marines...and was that mouthy guy in boot....LOL...spent my fair share of time in the "rose garden"...LOL. I learned my lessons...

[One Hot Mama]

NDN's are very communal people, and the service, like college and other institutions, can be lonely places, especially if you're th only Native there. Don't neglect your prayers and spiritual discipline because they keep you grounded and balanced. When you're feeling lonely or blue, talk to Creator, and He'll send those messages on to your loved ones back home, and send theirs to you. Write home as often as you can, because writing your thoughts down helps you release them.

Don't get upset if someone makes an ignorant remark or asks a stupid question-even if done to intentionally upset you. Give it up to Creator and let it go. If you respond, do so with patience and gentle firmness. You ARE representing all of us, so show the non-ndn's that we're bigger than their stereotypes and ignorance. Channel those negative feelings into your physical workouts, where you can put them to good use.

We'll keep you in prayer, Chirapache.

[chazbot]

Congradulations on taking that commitment. I went through Lackland Basic in May and it was HOT. So winter might be a bit better.

Some good advise was given above. One thing to consider is that your basic "flight" is a big family. A team. You will get through basic better if you think of it in that way. Get to know your bunk mates and your file mates (those around you in formation). Look out for eachother. Check each others gear and storage (Watch out for loose pennies :). When everyone works together, its far less likely that a simple mistake will bring the TI (Training Instuctor) wrath down upon you.

But the TI will get in your face. It's their job. They need to know that you can remain calm and cool under extream pressure. I don't know what specialty you are doing, but the Air Force is big on precision and attention to detail while doing things under pressure.

Make sure your family affairs are in order before you leave. You will not have the time, opportunity or energy to deal with them once basic starts. Tech school and deployment will be different, but basic will cut you off from the outside world. Be prepared for this. This is part of the lonliness that many feel.

Your inner strength is important, as it gives you a solid ground to sustain you as all the weird things happen. Think about why you are doing this. Reflect on your family, write letters, and pray. Remember you are never alone.

And cut everyone slack. Most of your flight mates have never been away from home either. Most are unsure and a bit scared as well. And they will show it in different ways.

If you want it, you will make it. It will be something that you can be proud of the rest of your life.

Best wishes.

x SSgt USAF....

[DANCINGEAGLE]

Just be willing to do what you are told. Listen to instructions carefully and do the best that you can. Now this is coming from a Marine but it still applies.

Most of all, be proud. Be proud that you are doing something that will change your life forever, and, that you are doing something that a lot of people do not have the guts to do.

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stirbaby]

Stay native and strong.
This group will be liffitng you up in prayer.

[Pony]

Originally posted by Stirbaby
Stay native and strong.
This group will be liffitng you up in prayer.

yeah..what he said....stay strong..keep focused....

[Ndnsoldierboy11b]

A Jedi must have the deepest committment....errr...ahhh....oops... Sorry bout that....Be dedicated to finishing your basic 1st, and then your school, good luck in your military career...You have stepped into a much larger world...

Already a lifer....:Chatter

Ndnsoldierboy11b :flag:

[chirapachegurl]

thank you all for your support, and to know that you will be praying for me makes me feel way better and know that i will be okay. i know that the drill instructor has to get on my face, and i know not to take anything personal. i will not think that they hate me. i am strong, i may be tiny but i am freakishly strong, physically and mentally. it makes me a bit sad to leave my little one, but it will be for only 3 1/2 months and not a year. my mother is sad but i just smile at her and tell her that it will not be a lifetime and she will see me again. she acts as though i am taking the journey. what was the hardest part for those of you who have left ? did any of you have to leave behind a loved one like a special lady or a guy, and if so are you still together? and were you stationed where you wanted to?

[chirapachegurl]

Originally posted by superndngyrl
hey i joined when i was 19 (air guard/reserves --> ALL AIR FORCE HAS THE SAME BASIC TRAINING) the idea of it was scary but after all my experiences in it... it definitely was worth it.

Have u been working it out? Can u run your 2 miles and do push ups and sit ups?

Um my advice is to be a flag guard. hahaha Thats what i was and we stood in the back and had a good ol time. hhahaha we were always being told to hush.

Volunteer for KP and base cleanup. KP means u get to eat anything u want and Base Cleanup means u get to go off the base and walk around and pickup trash instead of being w/all your same troupe... I tell ya being in a room full of 30 or 40 women for 6 weeks can drive any person insane!

oh yea... granny panties are the easiest to fold and sports bras. save the fancy stuff for when you're done w/basic. Um don't cut your hair just practice braiding it and tucking it under. I cut my hair and hated it... there's always other girls that can braid it for u if u need too.

and.... try and get along w/everyone some of them girls get all happy w/power and wanna tell ya what to do but just stay cool and remember its only 6 weeks! actually the first 2 weeks are the worst.

hope this helps! :) u can PM me if u have any questions or anything.

Good luck!

well it's a darn good thing that i do wear granny pannies. j/k oh, and about my hair, it's like a little bit below my earlobes, and there's a little layer thing going on, and it's kinda hard for me to get my hair braided cause my hair just starts to fall out. as far as working out, for running i just practice the fancy dance. and picking up my daughter is a lot of exercise for my arms. i also do like 15 push-ups. man do i get dizzy and i'm imagining how it's going to be there when i can't take a break.

[chirapachegurl]

I am leaving Chicago tomorrow guys, and man oh man, the day is finally here. my last night to sleep with my daughter, and I will miss that sooooo much. The first couple of nights I think I will cry but I will be strong. I will see her again.

[DANCINGEAGLE]

Our prayers are with you. Be strong and be happy and most of all:
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

[superndngyrl]

good luck! :)