If you have never experienced any form of military life then entrance into the Basic Military Training establishment at Lackland Air Force Base may come as a bit of a shock.  The rewards that you will quickly reap after only a few short weeks though, will make it all worthwhile.

 Be part of a team

You will join a team of 30-60 other trainees and the days will be long and hard, often starting with some physical training at around 0445 hrs, but with great tests come great rewards.  You will leave behind all those feelings of individualism and become a part of a finely honed team.

Your life’s biggest change in just six weeks.

By the end of the six weeks of basic training you will have become a different person.  Transformations like this don’t come easy and you should be prepared for a bit of shouting and discipline, nobody ever got everything right first time.

You will be well looked after and receive three meals a day and a haircut on arrival.  You will be assigned to a Flight and you will have a dedicated Training Instructor who you will remember for the rest of your life.  He or she will mould you into a well trained Airman who is competent and proud to be serving the nation as part of the most powerful Air Force in the world.

More information available

There are plenty of guides available online to help you prepare for the training before you arrive.  There is also plenty you can do before you enlist, including making sure you are in good physical shape, but also brushing up on some of the academic side of life. Check http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2502369-10303987 to find out more about exactly what to expect and what you can prepare for ahead of time.

What’s the curriculum?

The course curriculum is six weeks long and covers the basics of military discipline (saluting and preparation of your dress and equipment), personal fitness, financial management, ethics, and the structure of the Air Force, Law of Armed Conflict, and Security, the confidence course, marksmanship and field training.  It is a busy time, but it is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable and rewarding of your life. 

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This is a little misleading – military time doesn’t exist – it is really the 24-hour clock.  The system is used by lots of people outside of the military such as the police, ambulance, hospitals, fire department, and airlines.  The system is designed to ensure there is no ambiguity in time keeping, to make sure you can’t get confused between 2 o’clock in the afternoon and 2 o’clock in the morning.

How does it work?

Well the usual time uses numbers 1-12 and the 24 hour system uses numbers 1-24, it is just a case of learning which one corresponds to what.  Here it is, and how it is written:

1:00 am           0100 hrs

2:00 am           0200 hrs

3:00 am           0300 hrs

And so on…

Until:

1:00 pm           1300 hrs          6:00 pm           1800 hrs

2:00 pm           1400 hrs          7:00 pm           1900 hrs

3:00 pm           1500 hrs          8:00 pm           2000 hrs

4:00 pm           1600 hrs          9:00 pm           2100 hrs

5:00 pm           1700 hrs         10:00 pm         2200 hrs

                                                 11:00 pm         2300 hrs

At midnight, not everyone agrees.  Some people say that midnight is 2400 hrs, others say 0000 hrs.  The widespread view is that it is 0000 hrs.  To avoid confusion, the military almost never uses midnight as a timing; it will always use either 2359 hrs or 0001 hrs so you know which day you are on.

Learn the numbers

It is really a well tried and tested system that does ensure timings are kept without any confusion.  But it does rely on people actually learning the system. One trick to help learn and remember military time is this: morning hours (up to noon) are the same as civilian time. For hours after noon subtract 12 (or one from the first digit and two from the second digit), and that gives you the civilian time. For example, 2300 hours minus 12 is 11, meaning 11:00.

It can also be an easier way of working out how many hours it is between two different times.  For example how long is it between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm?  If you write it in military time: 1030 and 1630, it is easy to see at a glance that it is six hours.

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The first mistake many people make is to refer to the hierarchical structure of the Navy as being a ‘rank’ structure, in actual fact the correct term is ‘rate.’ If that is not confusing enough, there is the additional complication of an individual rate’s ‘rating’ or specialty. So for example a Petty Officer First Class is his rate, but his rating could be as a Boatswain’s Mate.There are ten rates of enlisted sailors in the US Navy and they are: Seaman Recruit, Seaman Apprentice, Seaman, Petty Officer Third Class, Petty Officer Second Class, Petty Officer First Class, Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief Petty Officer, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

Officers of course make it even more confusing as they wear their rank (and it is called rank for officers) in different places on their uniform depending on what they are wearing. Khakis have pins on the collar, whites have stripes on the shoulder boards, and blues have stripes sewn onto the lower sleeve.

Officers are split into two categories, Line Officers and Staff Corps Officers, who have specific specialties such as physicians, lawyers, and civil engineers.

The Officer Chain of Command goes as follows: Ensign, Lieutenant Junior Grade, Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Captain, Rear Admiral (lower half), Rear Admiral (upper half), Vice Admiral, Admiral, and Fleet Admiral.

As with the other services, it is important to remember that this is the rank structure, which is not necessarily the same as the chain of command. The chain of command is more akin to a ‘line management’ system in a commercial company. Yes, the Admirals are more senior than the Lieutenants, but they may not actually be in command of them, if they work in a different unit or part of the organization.

Everyone has a commander and other senior ranks would not normally give orders to junior ranks or rates without consulting their commander, it is seen as bad form. The bottom line in the military is you do as you are told by the person that writes your annual report, as it is your report that determines your future; your report will most likely be written by your commander. Respect by all, for all, but make sure you know your chain of command it is important.

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As with all elements of the forces, there is more to command than just rank. This brief article will explain the rank structure in detail, but command status (the relationship of one airman to another) is something that is more often than not, unit specific.The enlisted ranks of the Air Force are not to be confused with the pay grades (E-1 to E-9). The pay grades may have more than one grading in any one particular rank as some airmen will have different specializations.

The ranks are: Airman, Airman First Class, Senior Airman, Staff Sergeant, Technical Sergeant, Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Senior Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant, Command Chief Master Sergeant, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.

The officer ranks are different, as they are actually the holders of presidential commissions, which are confirmed by the Senate. The pay grades of officers are O-1 to O-7 and beyond. O-1 to O-3 are company grade officers, O-4 and O-6 are field grade officers, and O-7 and higher are general officers.

The ranks are: Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General, and General of the Air Force.

The actual command status of one person to another is much more like the ‘line management’ system of a commercial company. Although one officer or airman may be senior to another, it does not actually mean that they command them. If there is an important order to be given then it should be referred to that person’s chain of command.

The commanding officer of a unit is the person that commands all those in the unit and as such they are in all his/her chain of command. The chain of command is that which is the authority for the giving of orders and the carrying out of disciplinary or administrative remedial action should an individual not perform up to the standards required of them. The chain of command is also the person that will write the report on the airman, and that is what will control their future positions.

A person’s chain of command may not always be straight forward and it is important to understand one’s chain of command when one starts in a new post, but it is equally important to understand the chain of command of those you are working with.

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The chain of command is the system that controls life in any of the services; it determines who writes a person’s annual report, which determines their future postings. The Chain of Command is also the tasking authority for subordinates, in effect; your orders come from your chain of command. This concept is common to all the services and is transferable to many commercial companies also. In understanding where the chain of command is for a particular post it is crucial to understand the structure of the organization in which you are working, i.e. the makeup of the unit, or headquarters.There is always someone at the top of the chain of command and that person is usually your commanding officer, in a field unit. So if for example he is a Colonel, another Colonel from a different organization, who may still be senior to you - does not command you. As such that ‘other’ Colonel would usually speak to your Commanding Officer before giving you orders as you don’t ‘belong to him’. If you want to get along without upsetting people, knowing your Chain of Command is critical, it can also provide you with great back up if you are having problems with someone.

Enlisted Ranks
So here is how it works in the US Marine Corps, at least these are the ranks which determine who is senior to whom. It starts at the bottom of the enlisted ranks with Private First Class, Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, Master Sergeant/First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Master Gunnery Sergeant, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

Warrant Officers
Before we get to the officers, there are the Warrant Officers; these hold warrants from their service secretary and are specialists and experts in their particular field. The order of merit is as follows: Warrant Officer 1, Chief Warrant Officer 2, Chief Warrant Officer 3, Chief Warrant Officer 4, and Chief Warrant Officer.

Officers
For the officer ranks is goes like this: Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, General (Commandant of the Marine Corps).

The bottom line is that wherever you find yourself in the military, one of the first things you should do is understand exactly how the chain of command works in that unit; it will play an integral part in your military success.

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When joining the Army you will make at least two trips to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). These are joint defense organizations staffed by military and civilians. The purpose of the MEPS is to determine an applicant’s suitability, mentally, physically, and morally. The standards are set by Federal Law and the departments of the military. There are 65 MEPS across the country.

Medical Checks
The very first thing that takes places is a medical pre-screening check which is carried out by the recruiter, so in effect, your application goes to a MEPS even before you get there. Some people’s applications can be discontinued at this early stage if there is something dramatically wrong (partially blind or missing a limb for example). The medical checks touch on aspects such as family history, allergies, back sprains, heart conditions etc. All the usual things you would expect.

Once you have passed the medical screening you can actually attend for the checks in person, you will need to take documentation such as social security card with you, but you get given detailed instructions about what to take from your recruiter. The checks often start early in the morning and because of the high numbers of people attending; you are advised to get there early.

What will you be tested on?
Most initial trips to MEPS take two days, and some of the test results are given to you straight away, but in other facilities it may take a while to come through. The major test you will undertake is the computerized ASVAB test; this is a test designed in the 1960s to check your suitability for service in the Armed Forces. The test covers word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, arithmetic, numerical operations, mechanical comprehension and many more. There are three types of test, two are paper based, the High School version and the enlistment version, but most people take the computerized one called the CAT-ASVAB. Don’t be concerned, it is not an IQ test, it simply measures your aptitude to be trained in the forces. There is plenty of information about the origins of the test available on the net. One place to learn more is http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2502369-10303987.

MEPS and the 5 Services
MEPS cover the entrance process for the all the 5 major services, the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coastguard. The process is highly developed and synchronized throughout the country to ensure the highest quality individuals pass into the ranks of the services. The process is designed to be smooth and painless and is a long way away from old school thoughts about what drab looking enrollment schools used to look like.

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Food stamps have been around for many years, to assist those on low incomes to ensure they can purchase enough healthy food for themselves and their families, effectively as a bonus allowance in return for service. Over recent years the system has been modified and improved, and at first sight it may not seem simple.In May 2001 the National Defense Authorization Act wrote a new fiscal policy modifying the terms of the food stamp system. The system was aimed at all forces members, but also to further assist families on food stamps. Eligibility for the old food stamp system was based on household size and total household income and was actually received by less than 1 percent of the military.

The new allowance is called the Families Subsistence Supplemental Allowance (FSSA). The new system is more inclusive and takes into account those serving overseas where food stamps have not previously been available, as the system is calculated by combined income and household size, and not whether the family is already in receipt of food stamps.

The level of cash received by families is set at 130 percent of the national federal poverty line and food stamps are effectively cashed in. The allowance is set not to exceed $500 a month.

The allowance is non-taxable and can be applied for simply by filling in a form and submitting it to the commander. The form can even be completed online and e-mailed. Once the commander approves an application they may require an applicant to attend a financial management class just to improve their knowledge of how best to manage their personal finances.

Food stamps are affected with an applicant being in receipt of military allowances, as this counts as actual income. So food stamps are likely to be reduced. Other allowances that may be affected are infant and child program allowances, income-based day care programs, and the subsidized school lunch program.

Despite any complexity in the system or potential benefit reductions because of military allowances, the food stamp program is an important and worthwhile option for those military families that need the assistance.

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Do not fear, if you have been left unemployed from the Armed Forces (or separated as they term it), there are several options open to you to receive some form of benefits from your state, albeit as a result of a federal initiative.There are, as you would expect, some conditions, and you must have:
• Been on active service with a branch of the US Military; you may be entitled based on your service.
• Been separated under honorable conditions.

It is also good to know that during your service there is no payroll deduction for contribution to unemployment benefits when you leave. The cost is covered by the government.

If you do receive separation pay, then your unemployment compensation may be affected as a result. Retirees will almost certainly receive a reduced rate and possibly even no unemployment pay if they are in receipt of separation compensation.

The unemployment office of each state handles state benefits and the rates vary from state to state, so there is no generic answer as to the amounts of entitlement you may have. The nearest unemployment office will be listed in your telephone directory.

You can also receive information assistance from the National Military Families Association (NMFA) which is the only organization that is solely focused on the military family and its members. They are real experts in helping serving and ex-serving Armed Forces members and their families.

One area that the NMFA specializes in is helping spouses find benefit and employment as they have to suffer moves at the call of their military partner; they may not be able to get a job of their choice and may have to settle for whatever can pay the bills.

Another organization that assists military families is the Military Spouses Career Network. The network has carried out widespread research into the effects of moving every few years, and examined the benefits that are open to both the spouse and the military member should they be left unemployed by the Armed Forces, directly or indirectly.

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The military (active duty) retirement system is widely acknowledged to be one of the best deals you can get anywhere. You effectively get a pension when you leave that is paid to you every year for the rest of your life, and you could be in receipt of it as early as 37 years of age if you retire from the service at that stage.The other hugely significant benefit is that the pension scheme is index linked, so it grows with the cost of living. If you have served in the Reserves, then the system is different and you should research the subject separately.

Over the past 20 years, there have been many changes to the military retirement pay system and the government is dedicated to reviewing the system all the time so that the military gets the best deal. Here are some of the most recent changes.

Payment Cap Now Lifted
There used to be a cap on the maximum percentage of the retired pay base up to 30 years, but this has now been lifted. So if you serve 32 years you will receive 80 percent and if you serve 42 years it will be 105 percent of the retired base pay.

• Cap Lift Exclusions: there are always exceptions, and if you have retired because of disability then the law still maintains a payment cap of 75 percent.
• If, in the case of the Army and Air Force, you have been cited for Extraordinary Heroism then there is a cap of 75 percent on the computation. This is a legacy rule from the before the regulatory changes and it simply has not been changed. This cap is offset though by an additional payment benefit only available to those cited for Extraordinary Heroism, such as the monthly benefits paid to Purple Heart recipients.

Determine your rate
If you entered the service prior to September 1980, then you are eligible for the Final Payment scheme (the last pay rate you held prior to retirement). If you entered service between September 8th and August 1986, your rate is determined through the High 36 system. And finally, if you entered service after August 1986, you can choose between the High 36 or the Career Status Bonus/REDUX programs. If you can’t or don’t choose, then you will automatically be placed on the High 36 retirement pay system.

Regardless of which military retirement pay system you fall under, the benefits offered for military retirement remain among the best available retirement systems, and is truly an award for your long years of service to the country.

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The original Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act (SSCRA) was signed in 1940 and was submitted for re-evaluation under the second Bush Administration. A new Act was signed on 19 December 2003 by President Bush and called the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The legislation was designed to assist in easing the economic and legal burden that was placed on many servicemen and women who were called up to take part in active duty service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Protection
The original SSCRA has in fact remained largely unchanged from its 1940 version, but much of the language has been clarified to make it easier to comprehend. The intention of the Act was to provide certain protections to servicemen and women, such as:

• Staying court hearings under certain circumstances.
• Reducing interest rates to 6% on pre-service loans and obligations.
• Requiring court action before a service member’s family can be evicted from their property for non-payment of rent, but only if the monthly rent is less than $1200.
• Allowing termination without penalty of a pre-service residential lease.
• Allowing service members to retain their state taxation status for their state of residence despite possible military relocation to other states.
• A new provision allowing the termination of automobile leases for use by the service members and their dependants. Pre-service automobile leases may be cancelled if service members are called to active duty for a period of 180 days or more.

There are many other provisions that can be found in detail by reviewing the full Act on the internet. The bottom line is that not much has changed. The purpose of the Act is to help and protect those who are called up to active duty by providing cost savings and legislative exemptions to assist and minimize the inconveniences that can be caused by an active duty call up. These assisting measures are not only available to full-time servicemen and women. They are also, to a certain degree, available to Reservists called up for active duty service.

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