Air Force Trainee Handbook

The Air Force Core Values

The Core Values exist for all members of the Air Force family; officer, enlisted, and civilian; active, reserve, and retired; senior, junior, and middle management; civil servants, uniformed personnel, and contractors. They are for all of us to read, to understand, to live by, and to cherish.

The Core Values are much more than minimum standards. They remind us what it takes to get the mission done. They inspire us to do our very best at all times. They are the common bond among all comrades in arms, and they are the glue that unifies the Force and ties us to the great warriors and public servants of the past.

What are: The 3 Air Force Core Values?

- Integrity First

(Integrity is a character trait. It is the willingness to do what is right even when no one is looking. It is the "moral compass" the inner voice; the voice of self-control; the basis for the trust imperative in today's military.)

- Service Before Self

(Service before self tells us that professional duties take precedence over personal desires.)

- Excellence In All Well Do

(Excellence in all we do directs us to develop a sustained passion for continuous improvement and innovation that will propel the Air Force into a long-term, upward spiral of accomplishment and performance.)

Reporting Statement

Sir/Ma'am, Trainee (Your Last Name) Reports As Ordered

You will be required to say the following statement before you begin any conversation with anyone you speak with in BMT, other than fellow trainees. You will be required to use it on the very first day at BMT. It is extremely important that you know this statement exactly as it is written below.

Airman's Creed

I am an American Airman.

I am a Warrior.

I have answered my Nation's call.

I am an American Airman.

My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.

I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,

A Tradition of Honor,

And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an American Airman.

Guardian of Freedom and Justice,

My Nation's Sword and Shield,

It's Sentry and Avenger.

I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an American Airman.

Wingman, Leader, Warrior.

I will never leave an Airman behind,

I will never falter,

And I will not fail.

The U.S. Air Force Song

Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high in the sun.

Here they come, zooming to meet our thunder, At 'em now give'er the gun.

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under, Off with on helluva roar!

We live in fame or go down in flame.

Hey! Nothing can stop the US Air Force!

Military Rank

-Military ranks are a system of hierarchical relationships. The following images show the ranks and pay grades for Air Force enlisted personnel and officers.

-Take note that First Sergeant is a position, not a rank. They can be identified by the unique diamond in the chevrons. First Sergeants can be Master Sergeants, Senior Master Sergeants, or Chief Master Sergeants. A First Sergeant is the commander's critical link within the unit for all matters concerning enlisted members.

-Similarly, note that Command Chief Master Sergeant is a position, not a rank. They can be identified by the unique star in the chevrons. Command Chief Master Sergeants lead the enlisted force, and advise commanders on matters that affect the enlisted force.

-There is only one Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force at any time, and he or she is the highest ranking enlisted person in the Air Force. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force can be identified by the wreaths around the lower star and Great Seal of the United States (eagle) with two stars in the chevrons.

Insignia

is a badge, symbol, or distinguishing mark that identifies a person or object's membership, rank, or affiliation with a particular group, organization, or nationality

Enlisted Ranks/ Insignia: E-1

Airman Basic/ E-# (AB)

Enlisted Ranks/ Insignia: E-2

Airman / E-# (Amn)

Enlisted Ranks/ Insignia: E-3

Airman 1st Class / E-# (A1C)

Enlisted Ranks/ Insignia: E-4

Senior Airman / E-# (SrA)

Enlisted Ranks/ Insignia: E-5

Staff Sergeant/ E-# (SSgt)

Enlisted Rank/ Insignia: E-6

Technical Sergeant / E-# (TSgt)

Enlisted Rank/ Insignia: E-7

-Master Sergeant E-# (First Sergeant) (MSgt)

-Master Sergeant / E-#

Enlisted Rank/ Insignia: E-8

- Senior Master Sergeant / E-#

- Senior Master Sergeant E-# (First Sergeant) (SMSgt)

Enlisted Rank/ Insignia: E-9 (CMsgt)

-Chief Master Sergeant E-#

-Chief Master Sergeant E-# (First Sergeant) (????)

Enlisted Rank/ Insignia: E-9 (CCM)

Command Chief Master Sergeant / E-# (???)

Enlisted Rank/ Insignia: Highest Enlisted Rank

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF)

Officer Ranks: O-1

Second Lieutenant O-# (2d Lt)

Officer Ranks: O-2

First Lieutenant O-# (1st Lt)

Officer Ranks: O-3

Captain O-# (Capt)

Officer Ranks: O-4

Major O-# (Maj)

Officer Ranks: O-5

Lieutenant Colonel O-# (Lt Col)

Officer Ranks: O-6

Colonel O-# (Col)

Officer Ranks: O-7

Brigadier General O-# (Brig Gen)

Officer Ranks: O-8

Major General O-# (Maj Gen)

Officer Ranks: O-9

Lieutenant General O-# (Lt Gen)

Officer Ranks: O-10

General O-# (Gen)

Officer Ranks: abbreviation for O-7 - O-10

B, M, L, G : Be My Little General

Phonetic Alphabet - A

Alpha

Phonetic Alphabet - B

Bravo

Phonetic Alphabet - C

Charlie

Phonetic Alphabet - D

Delta

Phonetic Alphabet - E

Echo

Phonetic Alphabet - F

Foxtrot

Phonetic Alphabet - G

Golf

Phonetic Alphabet - H

Hotel

Phonetic Alphabet - I

India

Phonetic Alphabet - J

Juliet

Phonetic Alphabet - K

Kilo

Phonetic Alphabet - L

Lima

Phonetic Alphabet - M

Mike

Phonetic Alphabet - N

November

Phonetic Alphabet - O

Oscar

Phonetic Alphabet - P

Papa

Phonetic Alphabet - Q

Quebec

Phonetic Alphabet - R

Romeo

Phonetic Alphabet - S

Sierra

Phonetic Alphabet - T

Tango

Phonetic Alphabet - U

Uniform

Phonetic Alphabet - V

Victor

Phonetic Alphabet - W

Whiskey

Phonetic Alphabet - X

X-ray

Phonetic Alphabet -Y

Yankee

Phonetic Alphabet - Z

Zulu

What time does the Air Force use?

Zulu Time, 24 hour clock

to identify time which helps alleviate the confusion that could be associated with an AM/PM format. Midnight is 0000hrs (Zero hundred hours). Noon is 1200hrs while 1pm is 1300hrs and so on. A specific time during an hour such as 5:31pm would be written as 1731hrs (Seventeen Thirty-one hours).

What time is midnight in military time

Midnight is 0000hrs (Zero Hundred hours)

1pm in military time

1300 hr

2pm in military time

1400 hrs

3pm military time

1500 hrs

4pm military time

1600 hrs

5pm in military time

1700 hrs

6pm military time

1800 hrs

7pm military time

1900 hrs

8pm military time

2000 hrs (Twenty hundred hours)

9pm military time

2100 hrs

10pm military time

2200 hrs

11pm military time

2300 hrs

Military Time: 11:59pm

2359 (Twenty-three fifty-nine hours)

Military Time: 12am

0000 (Zero hundred hours)

Military Time: 6:30am

0630 (zero six thirty hours)

Military Time: 7:09am

0709 (Zero seven zero nine hours)

Chain of command:

Commander in chief

Hon Donald J Trump

(Honorable)

Chain of command:

Secretary of War (Defense)

Hon Pete Hegseth

(Honorable)

Chain of command:

Secretary of the Air Force(SECAF)

Dr. Troy E. Meink

Chain of Command:

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS)

General Dan Caine

Chain of command:

Chief of Staff of the Air Force (COSAF)

General Kenneth S. Wilshbach

Chain of Command:

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF)

David R. Wolfe

Chain of Command:

Commander, Air Force Reserve

Lt Gen John P. Healy

(Lieutenant General)

Chain of Command:

Command Chief, AFRC

CCMS Israel Núñez

(Command Chief Master Sergeant)

Drill Positions & Facing Movements: Position of Attention

To come to attention, bring the heels together smartly and on line. Place the heels as near each other as the conformation of the body permits, and ensure the feet are turned out equally, forming a 45-degree angle. Keep the legs straight without stiffening or locking the knees. The body is erect with hips level, chest lifted, back arched, and shoulders square and even. Arms hang straight down along side the body without stiffness, and the wrists are straight with the forearms.

Place thumbs, which are resting along the first joint of the forefinger, along the seams of the trousers or sides of the skirt. Hands are cupped (but not clenched as a fist) with palms facing the leg (figure 1). The head is kept erect and held straight to the front with the chin drawn in slightly so the axis of the head and neck is vertical; eyes are to the front, with the line of sight parallel to the ground. The weight of the body rests equally on the heels and balls of both feet, and silence and immobility are required.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8De7O691yjc

Drill Positions & Facing Movements: Parade Rest

The command is PARADE, REST. On the command REST, the airman will raise the left foot from the hip just enough to clear the ground and move it smartly to the left so the heels are 12 inches apart, as measured from the inside of the heels. Keep the legs straight, but not stiff, and the heels on line. As the left foot moves, bring the arms, fully extended, to the back of the body, uncapping the hands in the process; and extend and join the fingers, pointing them toward the ground. The palms will face outwards. Place the right hand inthe palm of the left, right thumb over theleft to form an "X" (figure 2). Keep head and eyes straight ahead and remain silent and immobile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onGybrxXSIs

0:00-0:54

Drill Positions & Facing Movements: At Ease

The command is AT EASE. On the command AT EASE, airmen may relax in a standing position, but they must keep the right foot in place. Their position in the formation will not change, and silence will be maintained.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onGybrxXSIs

0:55-1:15

Drill Positions & Facing Movements: Rest

The command is REST. On the command REST, the same requirements for AT EASE apply, but moderate speech is permitted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onGybrxXSIs

1:17-end

Drill Positions & Facing Movements: Fall Out

The command is FALL OUT. On the command FALL OUT, individuals may relax in a standing position or break ranks. They must remain in the immediate area, and no specific method of dispersal is required. Moderate speech is permitted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJaoDMADWHA

Drill Positions & Facing Movements: Right (or Left) Face

The command is RIGHT (or LEFT), FACE. For the RIGHT FACE, on the command FACE, raise the right (left) toe and left (right) heel slightly and pivot 90 degrees to the right (left) on the ball of the left (right) foot and the heel of the right (left) foot, assisted by slight pressureon the ball of the left (right) foot. Keep legs straight, but not stiff. The upper portion of the body remains at attention. This completes count one of the movement. Next, bring the left (right) foot smartly forward, ensuring heels are together and on line. Feet should now be forming a 45-degree angle, which means the position of attention has been resumed. This completes count two of the movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0QP6_5Ky4Q 0:00-1:08

Drill Positions & Facing Movements: About Face

The command is ABOUT, FACE. On the command FACE, lift the right foot from the hip just enough to clear the ground. Without bending the knees, place the ball of the right foot approximately half a shoe length behind and slightly to the left of the heel. Distribute the weight of the body on the ball of the right foot and the heel of the left foot. Keep both legs straight, but not stiff. The position of the foot has not changed. This completes count one of the movement. Keeping the upper portion of the body at the position of attention, pivot 180 degrees to the right on the ball of the right foot and heel of the left foot, with a twisting motion from the hips. Suspend arm swing during the movement, and remain as though at attention. On completion of the pivot, heels should be together and on line and feet should forma 45-degree angle. The entire body is nowat the position of attention. This completes count two of the movement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0QP6_5Ky4Q 1:10-end

Disaster Warning- if you hear:

3-5 minute steady tone or siren or similar warning device, or voice announcement

Disaster Warning- this indicates:

A disaster/ incident affecting the base is immnent or in progressExamples: tornadoes, flash floods, hazardous material releases, wildfires

Disaster Warning- individual actions:

- Be aware, ensure all personnel are warned

- Follow instructions to take cover, evacuate to a safe location, or shelter

- Conduct personnel accountability

Attack Warning- if you hear:

3-5 minute wavering tone on siren or similar warning device, or voice announcement

Attack Warning- This indicates:

An attack/ hostile act is imminent or in progressExample: vehicle bomb, terrorist release of chemical, biological, radioactive material

Attack warning- individual actions:

- Be alert, ensure all personnel are warned

- Implement security measures, as appropriate

- Follow instructions to take cover, evacuate to a safe location, or shelter

- Conduct personnel accountability

All Clear- if you hear:

Voice announcement

All Clear- this indicates:

The immediate disaster threat has ended, or the attack is over

All Clear- individual actions

- Remain alert for secondary hazards

- Account for all personnel

- Report fires, injuries, hazards, and, damage

Notes .1

See AFI 10-25, Air Force emergency management (EM) program planning and operations, and AFMAN 10-2504, Air Force incident management for major accident and natural disasters, for further guidance on warning systems and protective actions.

Notes .2

During wartime or combat operations, AFVA 10-2511, USAF standardized attack warning signals for CBRNE medium and high threat areas, will be used to initiate passive defense actions in accordance with AFMAN 10-2503, operations in a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRNE) environment, as directed by the installation commander

Notes .3

Monitor Commander's channel or local media for information regarding specific actions for the base populace

Notes .4

Senior ranking person accomplishes personnel accountability and reports as soon as possible using local procedures