FAQ - BMT

Here is the link to Lackland AFB BMT website.


How many graduations are there a month?
There is a graduation every weekend. 100s of new recruits show up every week to begin 'Zero week'.

Is every recruit in the same Squadron/flight?
Absolutely not! There are so many different squadrons and flights it's insane. In my husbands flight there were about 50 men.

What are squadrons and flights?
Flights are made of about 50 (sometimes more, sometimes less) men or women. There are multiple flights within a squadron. Flights in the same squadron are called brother or sister flights.

Will my H/BF/FI be able to have his cell phone?
No. If the MTI didn't take it at the air port it will be taken away at the first "shake down."

When will I get my first phone call?
Normally the first weekend they are there which is the end of zero week.

The address on the post card is different from the one he gave me over the phone, which one do I use?
I would use the one on the post card. No matter which one you use your trainee will get your letters.

How often should I expect a phone call and letters?
It completely depends on the MTI (Military Training Instructor). My H got to call at least every weekend and we normally got to talk for about an hour. I also got 15 letters and a card throughout the duration of BMT. Although, I know a woman you only got 3 calls that were 10 minutes each and about 4 letters.

Can I send my H/BF/FI cards, cookies or packages?
Cards, yes as long as they are in a WHITE envelope and please don't send the singing ones. Cookies and packages, NO! They are not allowed to receive anything other than letters and cards that are enclosed in white envelopes. Also, if you send a card make sure it doesn't have glitter on it. It's hell trying to get it off their uniform.

Can I send my H/BF/FI pictures & postcards?
Yes! Just make sure whatever you send him you wouldn't mind the MTI and other trainees seeing. If the MTI suspects anything more than a letter in the envelope they'll make the trainee open it in front of them to make sure it doesn't contain anything that is prohibited.


How often can I send letters?
EVERYDAY! Letters help your trainee get through BMT. I wrote my H a letter every single day and he still has all of them. He said mail time was one of his favorite parts of the day.

When should I book my plane ticket and hotel room?
Some women say ASAP, I say wait a little bit. It is always a possibility that your trainee can get washed back (recycled) for either an illness, discipline and weight amongst other things. Three to four weeks after your trainee arrives to Lackland they will send you a BMT graduation pamphlet. It has hotels in the area and things to do.


Since I'm a spouse can I get a room on base?
Technically yes you can, but doing so will be difficult. At Lackland you can only reserve a room when traveling Space A 3 days in advance. As a spouse of a BMT trainee you don't have much authority and Lackland is an extremely busy base. If you want to try it, it can benefit you in the long run. Problem is if they're booked then you have to find a hotel in that area last minute and that won't be cheap or easy.

What does recycled mean?
Any time during BMT and at graduation he can be recycled, put back all the way back to day one. Remember this while you're visiting your Airman at graduation.

Why is the first check that was deposited so small/large?
The military prorates your first paycheck. For example, if you receive your first paycheck 30 days after you arrive, you will receive the full rate of the monthly basic pay in that paycheck. If, however, you receive your first paycheck two weeks after arrival, it will contain half of your monthly base pay, and half of your monthly housing allowance for those with dependents. Taxes and other deductions such as deductions for non-issue items will be taken out. - Taken from airforce.com

My H/BF/FI left on X when will we get our check?
Generally, you'll get paid on the 15th of the first month. However if your information is entered into the Financial System later than the 7th, you should expect to get paid on the following 1st. - Taken from airforce.com

How much will my H/BF/FI get paid?
If the recruiter didn't already go over this with you then you can either contact the recruiter or look at this pay chart.

Can I visit my trainee during BMT?
NO! Graduation weekend is the ONLY time you can visit your Airman.

Can I get a job on base?
YES! Visit USAJobs.gov or AAFES

I've heard they take money out of the first check for uniforms, is this true?
They do take $300 out of the first check before it is even deposited but it is NOT for uniforms. All the uniforms they give you in BMT is issued for free. The $300 is for pens, pencils, notebooks, underwear and any other personal item your trainee might need during BMT. After all of that is bought they should still have a large amount to buy snacks and such when they get "patio breaks" or free time. The only thing H charged to our account was the graduation photos and DVD's. He actually still had money left over on the card after BMT.

Should my H/BF/FI take his wallet with him?
My H did, but I believe he had to put it in the same bag as his cell phone during the "shake down." He got to keep his debit/credit card which I would recommend taking.

- What does my H/BF/FI really need to take to bmt?
- His DL
- A copy of your (if a spouse) DL, SSC and Birth Certificate
- Credit/Debit card
- Official copy of Marriage Certificate
- Square toothbrush holder (yes it has to be square)
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Hair brush
- Deodorant (Non-aresol can)
- A couple days worth of Civilian clothes (make it somewhat comfortable they will be wearing them during zero week)
- Eyeglasses (No Contacts)

What can't my H/BF/FI bring to BMT?
- Pornography (There was a kid in H's squadron that did and he never got it back)
- Tobacco of ANY kind
- Magazines/ books
- Cologne/perfume
- CD's/Mp3 players
- Computer
- Shoe Shine (You'll get it when you get there)
- Laundry Detergent (Your laundry gets done fore you)
- Blankets

What do I do if I need to contact my H/BF/FI in case of an emergency?
Firstly an emergency is only classified as:
- Death in immediate family
- Serious illness in immediate family (Life threatening)
- Birth announcement (Wife of male trainee only)
If any of these happen,contact your local Red Cross agency office. You MUST give your soldiers Social Security Number to the agent. If you have your Airman’s mailing address when the emergency occurs, please give that to the agent also. Your Airman may be allowed to return home to attend the funeral of an immediate family member, but this will delay their completion of training. The Red Cross does not issue the leave, they are only responsible for verifying the nature of the emergency; leave is granted only by your Airman’s Commander.

Will my H/BF/FI be able to have access to the internet?
NO! Not even on the free time. The only way for your trainee to contact you is through telephone.

What happens if my H/BF/FI gets sick or injured during BMT?
If it is a serious injury or sickness there is "sick call" every morning where they can report to. If it is serious enough it can delay your trainee's training which means his graduation date can be moved back.

What about church? Will they have free time on Sunday to go?
YES! It is highly encouraged. H isn't a huge church goer, but he went every Sunday during BMT and he said he loved it. It was also another thing that really helped him through. During graduation weekend families are permitted to attend as well and I highly recommend it. We went to the Christian service and it was so moving to see all the trainees come together, the whole room was in tears.

How often will my trainee receive their mail?
I don't know if it's different for every squadron, but I wouldn't think it is. H had "mail call" every Monday through Friday evening.

What do all these abbreviations/lingo mean?
AB: Airman Basic
PSC: Postal Service Center
SQ: Squadron
Town Pass:The Friday and Saturday of Graduation weekend unless your Airman gets Honor Flight, Honor Grad or Warhawk (for Physical Fitness)
Reveille: Start of the duty day
PCS: Permanent Change of Station
MTI: Military Training Instructor (TI for short)
Patio Breaks: The time they get to call home
CONUS: Continental United States (Stateside)
OCONUS: Outside Continental United States (overseas including Hawaii & Alaska)

Do we get FSA (Family Separation Allowance/Pay) during BMT?
YES! You get it anytime you are away from each other longer than 30 days. The rate is currently $250 a month. Remember though when you move with your H to have him cancel it. If you don't they will no longer give you that allowance, even when you are separated longer than 30 days.

My H/BF/FI says he is getting Thunderbolt/Warhawk, what does that mean?
Thunderbolt and Warhawk are a physical fitness standard. By reaching this it means they have gone above and beyond what is just required. How it was when H graduated if you got one of these you also got a town pass on Sunday instead of just base liberty.

What is LES and do we get it mailed home?
LES is Leave and Earnings Statement, basically a pay-stub. They aren't mailed home or even printed out. Everything is now done on the Internet using MyPay. Your Trainee with set up their MyPay account during BMT. MyPay also allows you to change your W-4 and see how many vacation days you have accumulated.

I haven't heared from my Trainee what do I do?
An Airman is required by regulation to get one init ial phone call to give you his/her address and to let you know that they are fine. Other phone calls during training are strictly up to the individual training instructor. If you have not received a call within 2 weeks, you can call (210) 671­3024. Keep in mind that your Airman may have opted to call a friend or spouse. - Taken from Lackland's website

When will I be able to get my Mil Dependent ID?
Two or three weeks into BMT your H will send you an 1172 form. With that form you can go to the base with your DL, SSC and Marriage certificate and get your ID. I took every form of identification I had. I did not want to be told that I couldn't get my ID.

When can I sign up for TriCare (Healthcare insurance)
You are technically already signed up for TriCare Standard, but you can sign up for TriCare Prime (which I recommend). You can wait for your husband to do it for you when he gets to tech school or when you get your military ID you can go to the closest base to you and go into the TriCare office at the clinic/hospital.

When will my H/BF/FI get his phone back?
I guess they take the battery and let you keep the phone. Yea the TI's are like that. H said he got his battery back along with all the other stuff on Sunday night when he went back to the dorms, but they weren't supposed to use it or any other electronic item until they got to their Tech School.