Warrior week: recruits learn basic survival, combat skills during field training - Brief Article

Airman, Jan, 2003

Warrior Week is a weeklong exercise that gives basic trainees a taste of Air Force deployments during the fifth week of Basic Military Training.

Warrior Week was added to BMT to instill a warrior mentality, give recruits the necessary skills to operate in a field environment and provide them with a better concept of Air Force operations.

This training is a mock Air Force deployment where recruits are taught the Law of Armed Conflict, anti-terrorism techniques, self-aid and buddy care, nuclear, biological and chemical prepared-ness, weapons training and teamwork.

The first phase of the exercise begins with trainees going through a mobility line. Trainees process through individual stations to take care of any medical, pay or family needs. This is important since a deployment could last three to six months.

Trainees then "deploy" to a mock air base, set up tents and start their field training. Trainees are taught the basics of using an M-16 rifle and receive marksmanship training at the firing range.

Training continues with the Law of Armed Conflict. These laws govern the actions of military members in a war environment. Trainees learn who is and who isn't considered an enemy and how to legally react to those enemies.

Because the Cold War has ended and because of the increased threat of terrorism, trainees also learn antiterrorism techniques. These techniques give trainees knowledge and insight in terrorist tactics and how to counteract those tactics.

Next, trainees are taught self-aid and buddy care techniques.

These skills include how to properly provide first aid in the field, how to treat and recognize conditions like shock, and care for wounds or illness that may occur during a deployment.

The threat of nuclear, biological and chemical warfare is very real.

To prepare for these threats, trainees are taught to properly don a chemical mask and protective overgarment. They are also taught to recognize and properly mark unexploded ordnances.

Warrior Week ends with a ceremony marking the transition from trainee to "airman."

Each airman is presented with a corn and U.S. lapel insignia signifying their hard work and transition into the world's premier air and space force.