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November 6, 2008 · Air Force Training instructors had their hands full teaching the new recruits how to march in formation. 18-year-old trainee Richard Lacato from Philadelphia was still getting used to his new environment.
“I was kind of shocked. I always knew I was going to do it, but I was still shocked. And now that I’m actually here – and then we got off the bus and they started yelling – and I was like I am actually here – wasn’t like I was dreaming or nothing – but it’s a happy feeling – I like being down here – I always wanted to join the Air Force,” said Lacato.
But these recruits will be the first class to receive new and improved combat instruction. The Air Force has expanded its basic training program from six and a half weeks to eight and a half weeks. The new curriculum includes a combat training simulation called the Basic Expeditionary Airmen Skills Training or BEAST. Colonel Edward Westermann is the commander for Air Force Basic military training. He helped design the new program.
“We need to give our young men and women who are entering into the Air Force some enhanced warrior skills – to give them enhanced expeditionary skills – so that we send them down range to places like Iraq and Afghanistan – that they’re going to be capable – more capable of handling those challenges that they’ll face,” said Westermann.
Most of the combat instruction will take place in the last few weeks of basic. This first class is expected to graduate in January.
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