Posted on Aug 12, 2014
TSgt Terry Hudson
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Recently I heard that the MTI's aren't even allowed to yell at trainees any more. I've heard a lot more timeout cards, random base liberty and a lot more. What are your thoughts? Do you think this is affecting the people wanting to volunteer for MTI Duty?
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SrA Edward Vong
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It really depends on "too soft". As most Airman are not "combat Airman", the needs of the Air Force may be a little different from the other branches. Therefor the yelling and screaming and pushups may be considered unnecessary in my opinion. For combat Airman though, they go through different training afterward, so they get "additional" training.

Now I may have joined when it's a bit more laxed than before, but MTIs were still yelling and screaming and had me on my face. Did I mind? No. But neither do I mind new troops not getting the same training as myself. The only thing that I feel should be taught is respect to the chain of command and leadership. That is the key point that is important, because of Airman don't respect their leaders, then the Air Force will fail.
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SSgt Michael Smith
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In my opinion, the Air Force in general has gone too soft. Unfortunately, some of that reason is from the bad publicity we got from the MTI sex scandals. When I went through basic a little over 4 over years ago, my MTI would get face to face with me and yell at me to the point of which I could smell his breath. lol. Did it stress me out? Hell yeah it did! But thats what its supposed to be for! To see how someone will react in a stressful environment. You're not gonna have someone to save your butt on the battlefield or be able to whip out a stress card and crying stop it when the enemy is inflicting combat in your direction. This is supposed to be the military! This new generation is too entitled and thinks they should have everything handed to them. Its actually quite disturbing to know that these people are going to someday be responsible for how my children grow up.
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SSgt Senior It Security Analyst
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I'm pretty sure that's not true.

The timeout cards have always been a myth.

But regarding your underlying question, the BMT course is lacking in a lot of team building, discipline and respect for those in authority over you.
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TSgt Terry Hudson
TSgt Terry Hudson
11 y
It's been confirmed on the whole timeout card myth. But because of the radar on MTI now they're scared! On top of that they have so many restrictions no cursing or yelling! Now it's up to the Supervisors to put the military respect for leadership into new troops!
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SSgt Senior It Security Analyst
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11 y
The timeout card was a rumor started by some Army personnel back in the 80s or 90s. I remember doing a bit of research on it. But the yelling from MTIs still happens. My wife attended BMT during the height of the whole MTI rape scandal. They were still yelling and cursing then.
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TSgt Terry Hudson
TSgt Terry Hudson
11 y
A couple brand new airman have confirmed that yelling no longer happens!
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TSgt Terry Hudson
TSgt Terry Hudson
11 y
Maybe certain squadrons are allowing MTI's to do it!
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CPT Senior Instructor
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Like a marshmallow. But then again it is the Air Force. They probably play some cruel mental games on them.
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TSgt Terry Hudson
TSgt Terry Hudson
11 y
I doubt it! I hear a lot of the new airman are very disrespectful! Feeling entitled to respect!
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SGT Richard H.
SGT Richard H.
11 y
LOL...yes, horribly cruel games.
"Airman, if you don't get in step, you won't be allowed to watch 'teen wolf' tonight!"
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CPT Senior Instructor
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11 y
O' the horror.
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SSgt Computer Systems Analyst
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I've heard a lot about the time out cards and I've compared and contrasted basic training experiences with some of the newer airmen in my shop..From what they've told me, if a MTI is yelling at you, or you're being put in a situation that's too stressful and you need to take a breather, that you can pull a timeout card. I think that's pretty sad because I was under the impression that BMT was supposed to stress you out of your old civilian ways and build you into a new hard charging airman. As far as this having an impact on people wanting to volunteer for MTI duty, I'll have to say it does. My original plan when I enlisted 3 years ago was to make Staff and volunteer to become an MTI. But now that I've made staff, my feelings have changed. My MTI talked to us on a personal level about how passionate he was about the job and how much it meant to him to have a lasting impact on someone's life and career. Seeing him light up as we transitioned from trainees to airmen really made me want to experience that feeling for myself. But after all of the sexual assault cases, and the direction that this "new BMT" seems to be heading in, I'm completely uninterested at this moment.
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TSgt Terry Hudson
TSgt Terry Hudson
11 y
I feel exactly the same. I dnt want to do it anymore because it's to soft! I'm almost ashamed of that too!
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MSgt Section Chief, Mission Defense Team
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11 y
I'm about to start automatically downvoting people for spreading Stress Card rumors. I talked to my guys today and they confirmed that the whole "time-out" card is not a thing. The stress card is simply a card with the numbers of some support agencies on base one can talk to; it's not something you can throw in an MTI's face to get them out of your face.

http://www.snopes.com/military/stresscards.asp
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SSgt Health Services Management
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I personally have wanted to be an MTI for some time now, but with their hands being so tied and only being able to do so much, it makes i hard for a MTI to enforce the adaptation from civilian to soldier. I too have heard from new airman about time out cards, no yelling, and more liberty. These airman talked as if BMT was no big deal and they had all the time to hang out and that MTI's didn't stay late at night. This made the airman the way they are which in my view is not good enough. I went in with the mental attitude of "get told something, do it, don't ask questions". I am not as willing to volunteer for MTI duty because yelling instills fear more than talking at a regular tone with them to teach them right from wrong. None the less i would still do MTI duty and learn ways to properly train airman out of their civilian ways to make them successful. Have you spoken to any new airman about their experiences and contrasted how they differ from yours?
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TSgt Terry Hudson
TSgt Terry Hudson
11 y
No i haven't talked to any of the new airmen yet. I've talked to a former MTI though. I also heard from a friend of mine the same thing about new airmen questioning them, basically feeling entitled. I guess its now our place, the older airmen and supervisors to remind them, they aren't entitled to anything. More importantly their place as a Junior enlisted member. This will be a hard task though, they haven't really been broken in. You know, have that military mindset. Oh well! I have a line number so I'll be supervising soon.
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
MSgt (Join to see)
11 y
I always tried Instilling a little Marine Attitude into my subordinates under me. They never made excuses they just accomplished the task. Pretty proud of my guys, they where a good team. Proper guidance and mentoring can go a long way. So don't give up on your goals. Lead by example and mold, mentor and guild those under you. It's all part of being a good NCO.
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SFC Mark Merino
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Army ignorance.....MTI??
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TSgt Terry Hudson
TSgt Terry Hudson
11 y
Air Force Drill Sergeant
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TSgt Terry Hudson
TSgt Terry Hudson
11 y
Military Training Instructor is what it stands for.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
11 y
Brother, I'd say that is a guaranteed hells yes. I see a lot of salty hard-chargers getting dinged left and right. If you make someone cry they might throw you in the brig.
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SSgt Health Services Management
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11 y
Yes, USAF BMT is too soft. From when i was there with all of the stuff going on, it has turned into boy scout retreat with time out cards from what i have heard. All of the new Amn coming in seem to think they can question everything and don't have to follow chain of command.
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SrA Explosive Ordnance Disposal
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Basic training isn't too soft. It is exactly what it is, "Basic Training". It's designed to take everyone from where they came from and teach them to adhere to a set of standards. If you are in a career field that needs you to be "tougher" then trust me, that member will learn that at their next level of training. Usually when people from different branches sit around arguing about who's basic training was harder was because that was to date the hardest thing they've had to do. Not to disrespect anyone on here but you'd never hear a Navy Seal or a Green Beret sit around and argue who's basic training was more difficult. Everyone should take a page from someone else's notebook and quit arguing about pointless/meaningless topics.
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AB Command & Control Battle Management Ops
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It's is too soft , don't get me wrong it kinda sucks but .... It need to be harder
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LTC Operations Officer (Opso)
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They have rifles???
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