How does Air Force Basic Training compare to going College while working a full time job?

Question

I know it's like apples and oranges, but I hear many people say that AF BMT is hard mentally. 16 weeks of 15 credits and 40 hours a week working was pretty tough. I remember by the end of the semester I was burned out. Will I feel like same in a 6 week period? How do they compare?

Answer 1

I entered AF BMT after completing my BA and half of my MA while working full-time.  I would say they are two very different and stressful experiences.  For one, during college you don't have a TI screaming at you while you're taking notes during a lecture or writing a term paper.  In BMT, unlike college, you'll never be required to do anything that requires any sort of advanced thinking--you'll see a lot of people do well in basic by simply using common sense and following directions.

Also, in college, after a long day of classes and work you'll still get to sleep in your own bed, consume large amounts of alcohol and bang chicks, while in BMT you have almost no outlet for the stress your put under.  I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

Answer 2

basic will be much harder than any job or college

and they are called tha chair force because after basic its less strict, actually Air Force basic is harder than the army basic starting november 2

USMC

Answer 3

The two do not compare. College prepares you for a job and you have a lot of time to do things you want.  Air Force Basic training IS the job that will prepare you for another job within the Air Force and you do not have too much time to do things you want.

Answer 4

Lol, it's called the chair force for a reason. I watched some stuff on Air Force BMT. They wasn't even getting yelled at and they are poorly trained.

Answer 5

I went through USAF basic in 1981, so things may have changed. Compared to what I had heard about the other branches basic, the USAF one was pretty easy. I have also gone through a nursing program in college, and it was much tougher than basic.

A couple hints if you're thinking about joining -

1. Get a "good military haircut" before you go. I'm not talking crew cut - they'll give you that when you get there. I mean something like Harm on "JAG" - short enough to look respectable, but long enough so they don't feel cheated.

2. Try to blend in - don't wear anything with a sponsor, slogan, or picture, don't be too loud or too quiet, and remember your "sirs" when speaking.

3, Remember it is training, and they want everyone the same. They want to break you down then build you back the way they want. Pay attention, go with the flow, and just keep in mind it will be over soon.