January 15, 2004-March 2, 2004
After commissioning and a short two week vacation to my parent's home in Pennsylvania, Celeste and I set out on a long car trip all the way from Fort Collins, CO through Davenport, IA; Chicago, IL; Nashville, TN on down to Montgomery, AL. Here we would spend six weeks for Air & Space Basic Course, a course designed to teach young 2nd Lieutenants (aka "Butterbars" because of the gold rank) about their role in the Air Force. Perhaps the biggest mission is to teach us that before being pilots, navigators, engineers or whatever job we end up having, we are all airmen. This principle seeks to mirror the example of the USMC. If you ask a Marine what they are, they will first answer that they are Marines before telling you what they do. This develops a certain cohesion that is vital to military operations.
I had a lot of fun during this course. I learned a ton about the organization of the Air Force and the missions it accomplishments. I learned about AF history and how it molds the doctrine we live by today. A normal day consists of several lectures both in a classroom and auditorium environment. These lectures are designed to present basic concepts which are tested toward the end of the course. This test is the sole basis of your passing or failing this course (I heard that quizzes are also going to be added to the curriculum). On top of studies, students apply their knowledge in various ways. The syllabus includes a series of computer-based wargame competitions that simulate the coordination and planning involved in an Air Operations Center (AOC). There is also PT for about an hour each day along with occasional team challenges which involve leadership, teamwork and knowledge from the lectures. Flights consisting of about 15 Lt's compete against each other for the distinction of top flight in both their squadrons and in the whole school.
As for myself, I found the course to be fairly easy. However, my biggest piece of advice is that you get out of ASBC what you put into it. You can show up for a vacation if you want or you can choose to learn from it and develop your skills as a leader. I was blessed to have a great flight that performed time after time and won the top flight distinction for our squadron and placed in the top three for the entire school. The best part of ASBC for was the opportunity to network with over 800 other 2nd Lieutenants that come from every different career field in the Air Force. After just six weeks on active dute, I already had a decent understanding of Air Force operations and knew a large amount of people.
A few pointers about ASBC:
1. Study hard before the week of the test. There is A LOT of material and it is virtually impossible to tackle in just a few days.
2. Play hard. Things can be kind of boring if you don't stay motivated. Go to the rec, go golfing, go to the beach in Florida. Just stay active.
3. Plan on developing your own workout schedule. PT at ASBC is designed to simply prepare you for the Obstacle Course you go through as a flight. It is not very difficult although steps are being made to improve it.
4. If you are married, request accompanied quarters before arriving at ASBC. Accompanied quarters have a small kitchen and a lot more space. They're also a lot quieter. There were several Lt's and a civilian in my flight who had children with them as well.
5. If you want AF-related books, Air University allows you to get 10 books free of charge per day you are at ASBC. I picked up a few for good reference and a few for good reading.
6. Do all that you can to stay awake in Polifka (the big auditorium where vast amounts of students snooze away as a colonel or general rambles on about some not-so-interesting subject). If anything, it's just plain courtesy.
7. Set the standard. ASBC has a reputation for being a six-week party. Have fun...but do it professionally.
If you have any questions or comments, e-mail me at TRWeinert@hotmail.com.
