I went through Basic Training in Feb-Mar 1982. Little did I know at the time I would experience 3 major deployed operations (Desert Shield-Desert Storm-Enduring Freedom) during my 20-year career. Nor, did I realize this service would leave me 100% disabled. However, the Air Force and V.A. have treated me very well during these years. I'm very thankful.
I went thru Aug 1982 BMTS 3723 Flight 430. Photo of my flight is posted on the USAF website www.bmtflightphotos.af.mil/Portals/20/Flight%20Photograhs/1980s/1982/91%20-%20November/091125-F-1982A-164.jpg
August 1990 arriving with no reception center straight off the bus. It is truly amazing that young people go through this process which seems at the time unbearable but I still think about today as the best time of my life 💗 Honorable Discharge 1990 to 1994
Thanks for the tour of Lackland. I went through BMTS beginning Feb 8th, 1984. Man, things have changed on the base, that's for sure. Did my Tech School at Chanute AFB, IL where I had lived at 10 yers prior for 3 yrs when dad was stationed there. I left the service after 2.5 yrs with 10% service connected disability. Could I have stayed in? Possibly, but it probably was in my best interest to separate. That being said I have very fond memories of my brief stint in the service. I was a 463-L Mechanic (K-Loaders and Forklifts) out of Dover AFB. Many DTYs along the East Coast. Performed a Body Escort for a fallen Airman. Had a C-5 recalled from practicing Aerial Refueling over the Atlantic Ocean to take me, as the sole passenger, to Cherry Point MCAS, to build a Wide Body Loader for a mission that had to get done the next morning on an emergency notice. Still, this Army/Air Force Brat left nothing on the table during his time in the service.
I was there from August to September 1979. BT was only 6 weeks long ( 3723d BMTS ). We wore OD cotton uniforms and white and blue name tags. It was very humid there. I passed out twice. I would like to try it again.🙂. Looks like the base has changed a lot. Looks like most of the dorms we where in are now gone. Good video.
Wow! I always wondered what would happen to the original 331st training complex. Man seeing that building brought back memories. It’s sad to see all blocked off feels like I was in that building yesterday! Thanks for this, I also lived in Jailhouse too it was bad then with the mold lmao. Some dorms were blocked off. Then the mold incident happened funny thing is we complained then too.
I went through OTS at Lackland in 1968. It looks nothing like it did when I was there. I didn't recognize anything. Thanks for sharing. The worst ass chewing I've had in my life was there. I was standing on a corner waiting on the red light to change, with my hands in my pockets. Three female offices in a blue VW bug stopped and ripped me for about 5 minutes. I'll never forget that ass chewing lol. The base seems much larger now than when I was there. About the only thing modern looking we had when I was there were 3 hot meals a day in the chow hall.
Was there in June of '75. When I came back in '79 for recruiter school, a big change to be walking through there as an NCO instead of a basic trainee, LOL.
Arrived at Lackland 28DEC60. Sat around twiddling thumbs threw NY Eve and Day. Entered flight 1 of '61. We're are all the WWII Barracks..lol. Don't recognize anything. At 18:05 I see an overpass that might have been the one that at that time had signage "Gateway to the Air Force" if memory serves. Maybe not I seem to recall the bridge being wider and flatter. What is ECAT (?). I was going into Electronics, finished BMT at Keesler.
Barracks 5560; January 1965. Was on the back fence line of Lackland and across the fence was training facility for K-9s. Sgt Vivaldi was Basic Trng T.I. I remember him so vividly standing on a foot locker, stating: "You may be 20, you may be 25 and you may be 35, but you better count em'" Referring to his stripes. Tough dude, but he made men out of us in a few short weeks. You never forget your T.I. from 'Basic'. God bless him wherever he is!!
I spent 7 month total at Lackland beginning in Jan. 1967 going thru Basic and Air Police School. Got a short leave after A.P. School then came back Sentry Dog Training School. I was lucky that after dog school I got to pick my next base assignment which put me 2 hours from home, Little Rock AFB, plus I got to take the dod that I trained with me because they needed a dog and a handler there. Then, in June of 1968, I was back there to pick up a new dog and go thru a combat training school along with about 75 other dog handlers before heading to Thailand to help in establishing the Sentry Dog program at the various six bases we had there supporting the Viet Nam War. With the exception of the first few weeks of basic, I really enjoyed my time at Lackland. It’s so hard to believe that was 55 year ago and it has changed completely. So many awesome young men and women have been thru there who were trained to defend our nation in some way.
just got the pcs orders yesterday and i'll be there beginning of aug its gonna be pretty weird coming back to this place as operational and not have mtis all up in my face haha 😅
You better drop and give me 100 now rookie. You better kiss my heels and say you love fish sticks with jelly or else you know what happens sir yes sir hiyyaaaa!!
I miss going on base, my dad used to work here and bring me as a kid. Before he passed away last year we visited the golf course in 2021 and went to the BX a couple of times. I hope to visit again soon and maybe I’ll even make my own video there.
After my HS graduation in 1964...3 weeks later i was off to join the USAF..Lackland AFB looked much different...the viet nam war was in full swing..the training was tough..the summer heat was unbearable...but i made it ...
I remember those windows in the old dorms that were above the wall lockers. After arriving at like 0200 and finally going to "sleep" we were rousted at 0500 and I remember the top bunk I had faced those windows and it was dark and I remember thinking....that can't be outside...that's gotta be another room or something...there's no way they're getting us up w/so little sleep. How wrong I was....no regrets....none. The USAF was great. 1989-2011
At the beginning of the video you passed where they do the blood draw and immunizations now, usually at the beginning of BMT, now trainee's aren't even allowed back in that area
Went thru Sept 1967.Nothing left from that era! Too bad they didn't save one of the late 40's barracks, two stories, bunk beds and floors like glass!! Thought the two striper driving the blue Air Force locomotive had the best job anywhere..Can still hear "Here we go again-marching down Bong Avenue"
They actually did save one and they moved it behind the Air Force museum. When I went to the museum while there the guy told us a story on how he had to fight to save one.
@@rtox99 Wow! You’ve been everywhere I’ve been, it seems! First, it was Waycross, our hometown! Now, it’s Lackland AFB! I did my 6 weeks of basic training (BMTS, as you know) there in March of 1976, Squadron 3706, Flight 0257! I see those multistory barracks are still there! I was a squad leader …don’t know if they still have that. We were in the old wooden barracks somewhat across from the multistory brick ones you drove by, or somewhere near abouts there. I went on to Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois near Champaign for a few months of training on T-38 training jets, and from there on to tours at Kadena in Okinawa and Castle in Atwater and Merced California as a pneudraulics mechanic (hydraulic and pneumatic systems; flight control systems, brakes, flaps, ailerons, vertical stabilizer, etc.) on F4 fighters, C-130 cargoes at Kadena, and B52 Bombers and KC-135 Tankers at Castle AFB, etc. And if you think you’ve got nostalgia right now …just imagine what 47 years of nostalgia hits you with all at once 47 years later….! Amazing! Great work, my friend! Thanks!
I went through Basic Training in Feb-Mar 1982. Little did I know at the time I would experience 3 major deployed operations (Desert Shield-Desert Storm-Enduring Freedom) during my 20-year career. Nor, did I realize this service would leave me 100% disabled. However, the Air Force and V.A. have treated me very well during these years. I'm very thankful.
Rock bay i was there in feb-march 1982 what squadron
@@briancarman4066 If, I remember correctly, it was 3708.
I went through Lackland in December '75 thru January '76. I was also squadron 3708.
I went thru Aug 1982 BMTS 3723 Flight 430. Photo of my flight is posted on the USAF website
www.bmtflightphotos.af.mil/Portals/20/Flight%20Photograhs/1980s/1982/91%20-%20November/091125-F-1982A-164.jpg
What did you do to get a 100% disabled vet?
August 1990 arriving with no reception center straight off the bus.
It is truly amazing that young people go through this process which seems at the time unbearable but I still think about today as the best time of my life 💗
Honorable Discharge 1990 to 1994
Wow, Lackland sure has change since I started BMT in the Fall of 1973!
Thanks for the tour of Lackland. I went through BMTS beginning Feb 8th, 1984. Man, things have changed on the base, that's for sure. Did my Tech School at Chanute AFB, IL where I had lived at 10 yers prior for 3 yrs when dad was stationed there. I left the service after 2.5 yrs with 10% service connected disability. Could I have stayed in? Possibly, but it probably was in my best interest to separate. That being said I have very fond memories of my brief stint in the service. I was a 463-L Mechanic (K-Loaders and Forklifts) out of Dover AFB. Many DTYs along the East Coast. Performed a Body Escort for a fallen Airman. Had a C-5 recalled from practicing Aerial Refueling over the Atlantic Ocean to take me, as the sole passenger, to Cherry Point MCAS, to build a Wide Body Loader for a mission that had to get done the next morning on an emergency notice. Still, this Army/Air Force Brat left nothing on the table during his time in the service.
Time flies, went to training in 2014 & it feels like I went 20 yrs ago
Halfway to 20
Thank you for your service
Damn bro, I bet you saw the Disneyland dorms being constructed during your time at BMT in 2014.
Lowkey I want to visit Lackland when I come to San Antonio. I was there this summer for BMT, graduated in July 2024. I was in 331st TRS, the Wolfpack!
I was there from August to September 1979. BT was only 6 weeks long ( 3723d BMTS ). We wore OD cotton uniforms and white and blue name tags. It was very humid there. I passed out twice. I would like to try it again.🙂. Looks like the base has changed a lot. Looks like most of the dorms we where in are now gone. Good video.
Loved being in the Air Force!
Wow! I always wondered what would happen to the original 331st training complex. Man seeing that building brought back memories. It’s sad to see all blocked off feels like I was in that building yesterday!
Thanks for this, I also lived in Jailhouse too it was bad then with the mold lmao. Some dorms were blocked off. Then the mold incident happened funny thing is we complained then too.
I went through OTS at Lackland in 1968. It looks nothing like it did when I was there. I didn't recognize anything. Thanks for sharing. The worst ass chewing I've had in my life was there. I was standing on a corner waiting on the red light to change, with my hands in my pockets. Three female offices in a blue VW bug stopped and ripped me for about 5 minutes. I'll never forget that ass chewing lol. The base seems much larger now than when I was there. About the only thing modern looking we had when I was there were 3 hot meals a day in the chow hall.
Was there in June of '75. When I came back in '79 for recruiter school, a big change to be walking through there as an NCO instead of a basic trainee, LOL.
I went through in 74. Dorms actually looked the same unless they are used for something else now, Thank you,sir!
There are only 2 training squadrons that are in the old dorms now
Arrived at Lackland 28DEC60. Sat around twiddling thumbs threw NY Eve and Day. Entered flight 1 of '61. We're are all the WWII Barracks..lol. Don't recognize anything. At 18:05 I see an overpass that might have been the one that at that time had signage "Gateway to the Air Force" if memory serves. Maybe not I seem to recall the bridge being wider and flatter. What is ECAT (?). I was going into Electronics, finished BMT at Keesler.
Barracks 5560; January 1965. Was on the back fence line of Lackland and across the fence was training facility for K-9s. Sgt Vivaldi was Basic Trng T.I. I remember him so vividly standing on a foot locker, stating: "You may be 20, you may be 25 and you may be 35, but you better count em'" Referring to his stripes. Tough dude, but he made men out of us in a few short weeks. You never forget your T.I. from 'Basic'. God bless him wherever he is!!
Thank you for serving
I spent 7 month total at Lackland beginning in Jan. 1967 going thru Basic and Air Police School. Got a short leave after A.P. School then came back Sentry Dog Training School. I was lucky that after dog school I got to pick my next base assignment which put me 2 hours from home, Little Rock AFB, plus I got to take the dod that I trained with me because they needed a dog and a handler there. Then, in June of 1968, I was back there to pick up a new dog and go thru a combat training school along with about 75 other dog handlers before heading to Thailand to help in establishing the Sentry Dog program at the various six bases we had there supporting the Viet Nam War. With the exception of the first few weeks of basic, I really enjoyed my time at Lackland. It’s so hard to believe that was 55 year ago and it has changed completely. So many awesome young men and women have been thru there who were trained to defend our nation in some way.
Thank you for your service
BMT 3273 FLT 035 in Jan-Feb ‘83…a lot certainly has changed since then…still brings back memories
Nice video. I went through there in 1972 (3709 BMTS). It changed a lot.
I was there 1970 3708 BMTS. A lot has changed!
2019 for BMT and currently stationed here
Dec. 17, 1982; only lasted 23 days BMT. Got to me psychologically, 3709 BMTS/Flight 600. TI was SSGT Randall.
did you ever go back and try again?
@rtox99 I could not go back in due to my discharge being an "entry level seperation".
just got the pcs orders yesterday and i'll be there beginning of aug its gonna be pretty weird coming back to this place as operational and not have mtis all up in my face haha 😅
You better drop and give me 100 now rookie. You better kiss my heels and say you love fish sticks with jelly or else you know what happens sir yes sir hiyyaaaa!!
I miss going on base, my dad used to work here and bring me as a kid. Before he passed away last year we visited the golf course in 2021 and went to the BX a couple of times. I hope to visit again soon and maybe I’ll even make my own video there.
After my HS graduation in 1964...3 weeks later i was off to join the USAF..Lackland AFB looked much different...the viet nam war was in full swing..the training was tough..the summer heat was unbearable...but i made it ...
I remember those windows in the old dorms that were above the wall lockers. After arriving at like 0200 and finally going to "sleep" we were rousted at 0500 and I remember the top bunk I had faced those windows and it was dark and I remember thinking....that can't be outside...that's gotta be another room or something...there's no way they're getting us up w/so little sleep. How wrong I was....no regrets....none. The USAF was great. 1989-2011
I was born here way back in 1973. My dad was stationed there. I have to see it it person soon.
At the beginning of the video you passed where they do the blood draw and immunizations now, usually at the beginning of BMT, now trainee's aren't even allowed back in that area
I’ll be there feb 22nd!
Best of luck to you.
Ant questions?
good luck
@@rtox99just seen this! I actually graduated BMT and tech school already. Thx for posing the video.
I was there back in Dec. 1990.
LAFB basic Flight 1349, 3706 SQ, 29 Nov 1970, Then Tec school for SPSQ.
This base is a whole another city
Basically a military base is like some small town/city so theres like shops (PX), gas stations, etc
Sq 3705 ... flt 1157 Oct 8 1974 The closest building to the fence....
Went thru Sept 1967.Nothing left from that era! Too bad they didn't save one of the late 40's barracks, two stories, bunk beds and floors like glass!! Thought the two striper driving the blue Air Force locomotive had the best job anywhere..Can still hear "Here we go again-marching down Bong Avenue"
They had them in November 1976 because we were housed in them
They actually did save one and they moved it behind the Air Force museum. When I went to the museum while there the guy told us a story on how he had to fight to save one.
Where is it located? Open to the public?
I didn't pass the physical. 😢
I went thru basic there in 1970. Wow...looks deserted. Where is everybody?
Probably in their dorm this was filmed right before it got dark
@@rtox99
Wow! You’ve been everywhere I’ve been, it seems! First, it was Waycross, our hometown! Now, it’s Lackland AFB! I did my 6 weeks of basic training (BMTS, as you know) there in March of 1976, Squadron 3706, Flight 0257! I see those multistory barracks are still there! I was a squad leader …don’t know if they still have that. We were in the old wooden barracks somewhat across from the multistory brick ones you drove by, or somewhere near abouts there. I went on to Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Illinois near Champaign for a few months of training on T-38 training jets, and from there on to tours at Kadena in Okinawa and Castle in Atwater and Merced California as a pneudraulics mechanic (hydraulic and pneumatic systems; flight control systems, brakes, flaps, ailerons, vertical stabilizer, etc.) on F4 fighters, C-130 cargoes at Kadena, and B52 Bombers and KC-135 Tankers at Castle AFB, etc. And if you think you’ve got nostalgia right now …just imagine what 47 years of nostalgia hits you with all at once 47 years later….!
Amazing! Great work, my friend! Thanks!
ah yes, home.
1978
Thank you for your service
3707 FLT 222 1977
June 21st
Good luck to you
Opsec
Nope. This was recorded 3 years ago.
I put this video up a couple yrs later to avoid opsec
@@rtox99 as long as you C.O.C is tracking, up to you. Hope the views are worth it.
@@robertjud388 weirdo