DEP tag

Alright- so this is should be a video- but I have neither the time nor the equipment for that- so blog post it is! 

1. Name, Age, and Height?
             Kristin Hingstrum, age 27, 64" (5' 4'')

2. Where are you shipping from?
             I'll be shipping from Davenport, IA, through the MEPS at Camp Dodge in Des Moines, IA.

3. What was your parents' reaction?
             My parents' reaction was phenomenal.  My step-mom has always supported me, but my dad's reaction surprised me the most.  I really didn't expect his overwhelming pride and support for my decision.

4. Ship date, rank, DEP date?
             BMT will begin Jan. 14, 2014.  I'll go in as an E-3 (well, after BMT) due to my college credits.  I DEP'ed on June 26, 2013.

5. Something memorable that happened at MEPS?
             The most memorable parts would have to be my conversations with my roommate (a Navy shipper) and also receiving my DLAB score.  I'm glad I was able to see and hear about the emotions of my roommate before she shipped- I think that will help when it's my turn.  I hope to be as encouraging as she was for me if I end up rooming with a DEPper that night.  When I got my score, my jaw just dropped.  End of story.

6. Best/worst part about DEP?
             The best part of DEP- meeting the other DEPpers and helping each other out.  The worst part- HURRY UP AND WAIT!

7. Something you'll miss while you're at bootcamp?
              I'll miss my friends and family the most, along with this weirdo:

  I shall also miss coffee- a lot.  **edit: I shall also greatly miss my "littles" in dance class- I've helped them grow and learn and I can't even begin to describe how much I'll miss each and every one of them!!!

8. What are you looking forward to?
              I'm looking forward to everything I'll learn at BMT and tech school.  I'm actually looking forward to the gas chamber, as odd as that is- maybe because I'll be more than halfway done at that point?  I'm also looking forward to getting my uniforms- ABU's and Blues- means I'm part of something bigger than myself.  Aim High - Fly - Fight - Win! 

9. How are you preparing for bootcamp?
              I've been reading all kinds of blogs and watching youtube videos- AimHighErin and Kyle Gott have been the most helpful.  I've been chatting with people I've met on the Facebook pages for Air Force DEP and the AF WingMoms- everyone has been helpful and supportive.  Fitness-wise I've been doing the Insanity videos with my step-sister, working on pushups and situps with various apps, and running, running, running.  Did I mention running? 

So, if you are a fellow DEPper- same questions to you!  Make a video or post on your blog if you are as anti-tech as I am ;) 

GRADUATION POST- Looking to the future

Source is here.

I did it!  Or, rather, I will do it, since I haven't even gone to BMT as I type this.  However, I wanted to share with you information about graduation so you will know where to go and what to do!



There are events Thursday through Sunday of WOT 8 (8th week of training)-  Hopefully, I will also have some day passes for the weekend to get off base and eat real food- I mean, spend time with family! 

Here is the official schedule of graduation events put together by AF Wing Moms.  This website also has information about lodging, things to do, travel tips, and a great collection of articles in the "perspectives" section. 

For the OFFICIAL official graduation schedule, you can find it at the USAF BMT  website, as well as a plethera of other information.

If you want to buy swag, this website is great- Basic Training Store.  It is for every branch in the military, too!  Everything from buttons, to coffee mugs, to banners and t-shirts.You can even add MY picture to it (so you'll have to order once I'm there). 

Unlike high school and college graduations, I will not be able to come and find you after the ceremonies.  I shall continue to stand at attention or parade rest until you find me for what's called the "tap out"- you will literally have to find me and tap my shoulder before I can move and hug you.  A great guide for this process is here, my favorite website for all things BMT.  (Really, check out her other posts- AimHighErin.com was part of the inspiration for me to join.)  I may know some wingmen that won't have family coming, or are a day late- I may ask you to tap her out and hug her, too. 

Also, I know I have sent out messages to people asking if they'd like to come to graduation.  I'm not looking to build a cheering section (but, hey- that'd be great), but I need some info if you do want to come.  The Air Force will do background checks on all adults attending, so I would need your full name, DL # and state issuing, and your birthdate.  You can give me your info and not come, since it is a long time from now and schedule for next week can be tough.  It is simply easier to add on to the list now rather than at BMT. Which brings me to another point. Whatever you do, DO NOT SURPRISE YOUR AIRMAN AT GRADUATION. There are countless stories of Airmen missing their families for entire days because they weren't planning on them being there- so they might join other wingmen or simply go off to do their own thing only to find out later (we won't have our phones) that people were here for them. 

**I go to BMT on January 14, 2014, and should graduate the weekend of March 13, 2014. 

How are you doing?

What will it be like when I'm gone?  How will I feel?  More importantly, how will you feel? 

My friends' feelings on me being in the Air Force

 

**Plug**- A1C Kyle Gott has an absolutely wonderful YouTube channel.  Check out the video about how his friends felt about him being in the Air Force and being away for so long.  He has other videos, too, about his family and other experiences in the Air Force.

My Mother's perspective on me being in the Air Force

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section, as well.  Do you have any concerns or questions?  I started this blog to help me stay connected with you, my friends and family.  I'll ramble on here as much as I do in person, maybe if I get tech savy I can start some videos, too... but that won't be in the near future. :) 

Physical Conditioning: Getting Ready

In attempts to prepare for the PT requirements of BMT, I have begun a semi-regimen (it's not exact nor a science quite yet).  Starting June 2013 I began doing the Insanity DVD's with my step-sister.  Oh. My. Goodness.  I couldn't walk normally for a week, and parents of my dance classes would laugh at every cringe- some understood my pain.  BUT that's not all PT is- there is running, also!  Oh glorious running... not.  I have never been a runner.  My fastest mile time in high school was 10:13, I get bored running on the track, and when I listen to music I get way off beat because I start dancing in my head and my body is used to counting and moving with the music.  I have also been told I run like a clydesdale (I'm very grounded- I also use this as an excuse for my poor leaps, yet awesome tap sounds).  It doesn't make a whole lot of sense- I am good with cardio workouts- I even taught BodyJam classes (like Zumba but not as Latin).  My body simply seems to be against running.

Which was fine until I enlisted.  Now I have to run, and run within a time limit.  Along with other requirements, the bare minimum is to run 1.5 miles in 13:56 or less (for females). Doesn't seem that bad, right?  I'm sure it isn't if you are used to running. 

Well, to help with my running I downloaded the C25K app and began following that.  That little voice on the app is far too chipper- she mocks me, I swear!  I haven't been following that as religiously as Insanity, but semi-regularly.  Slowly, my running is showing improvements.  I've read some articles to help with breathing and pace... now I need speed!  My 1.5 miles is under 14 minutes, so that's a plus.

My next step: I just signed up for the Lagomarcino Cocoa Beano 5K in Moline, IL.  Now I'll have a goal to work towards, and a fleece after!  (I like warm things.)  Another perk: motivation.  It's something I've been struggling with since being in the DEP.  My brother is the one who suggested I run it, and I hope to get some other people involved, as well.  When I lack motivation now, I've been able to find other people to help me out, either through the facebook page or people I've just met.  Pretty awesome support :) 

 

The Philosophy Behind it All

Many people have asked me why I joined the Air Force, and understandably so for many reasons.  I've been told I don't seem "military" (is that a compliment or not... I haven't decided), there's a war going on-didn't I know that?, and that I just don't seem like I could take orders.  I've also heard some choice comments of: I'm doing it to get a man (seriously?) I already have a degree- why join? It's pointless; and I apparently will turn into a heartless killer following orders.     

Yeah, I guess that's as far from "military" as it gets...

 

Depending on who was speaking, I ignored some comments and remarks.  Others I took more to heart or felt a "jolt" when they said it.  It was as if that person (no names for a reason) had no faith in me whatsoever.  This person who knew me so well really thinks that?  Instead of believing that person, though, I took on the challenge, "Well, I will prove him wrong!"  Mostly, though, I felt the urge to explain my reasons and hope to expand these limited views on reasons and results of joining the military. 

So- starting from the beginning let's follow my thought process on joining and the philosophy behind it (what?  I have actual, logical reasoning behind this decision?- who knew!).  I had never before intended to join the Air Force, or any other branch of the military.  I remember a call in high school from an Air Force recruiter to whom I literally laughed about the idea of me enlisting.  Joke's on me!  My stepmother is actually the one that gave me the idea to look into the Air Force again during the spring of 2013.  My hours had just been reduced dramatically from my "main" parttime job, I had been trying for a while to find a fulltime job unsuccessfully, and I was dissatisfied with the living from paycheck to paycheck for 4 years since graduating college- College!  I'm a college grad who is struggling with what to do.  I need to pay off student loans, so I didn't want to go to grad school to incur more.  The whole job thing put a damper on paying off the current loans.  Quite frankly, I was sick of it.  Am sick of it.  People around me with no goals made it so easy for me to ignore my own.  I wasn't moving forward- I was stuck.  Dormant.  Lethargic.  hmmm.  Air Force you say?  If you read this entry, you will see how nervous I was about talking to the recruiter and going through that process.  What I love most about the Air Force after speaking to the recruiter and researching on my own has to be the core values:  Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do.  If you read through them, you will see exactly what I've been missing in my civilian work and home life.  On top of that, since DEPping in, I have joined multiple groups on Facebook devoted to the Air Force- DEP, AFWingMoms, and a group for women in the Air Force.  The support is phenomenal.  Any questions, concerns, worries- everything can be addressed and you have instant friends and acquaintances who just want to make your journey better/easier/supported. 

But, I'm getting a little off topic.  So:  more on the philosophical reasoning behind joining the Air Force.

Yes, I sit and pondered all this by the window.



 

 

While at Saint Mary's, I took an Intro to Philosophy course.  We studied the history, famous philosophers, and how we could apply that knowledge to our decisions today.  I couldn't tell you a lot of details right now, but the gist is what is important.  The lesson that stuck with me most was the idea of keeping/taking what you need to survive and pass on or share anything extra to those who need it.  Don't buy all the luxury items, spend time doing things that aren't beneficial to anyone else, etc.  I catch myself thinking about this a lot.  I live paycheck to paycheck, but do what I can for others- donate when I can and participate in for-charity auctions, that kind of thing.  What else is there, though?  The Air Force is another answer to this philosophical question.  I will be able to use my skills, experiences, intelligence, and training to benefit those around me.  I can provide a positive impact on the world- a measurable one, at that.  Positive impact is something I strive for, especially when I work with my dance students, college students, or my friends' children.  Though very nervous for BMT, I hope that I can have a positive impact on my fellow wingmen, particularly the younger ones who may be more nervous than I am. 

 

The benefits of the Air Force will be wonderful, as well.  I can't say I didn't consider them at all, but they were not a main push for my enlistment.  The ability to get a second bachelor's degree and a master's is quite exciting- I am a lifelong learner.  :) 

 

When I broke the news to one of my prior-military students he laughed in my face, "Enlisting?! Get ready for a pay cut!"  Actually, no it's not, but thank you for thinking you know more about my financial situation than I do and assuming that I haven't studied the ranks of pay already.  I was also pushed to go officer by several people.  Again, thanks for the input but I know myself, what I'm currently capable of (both as an officer/applicant and during the process of application- hectic time!), and what I want to get out of my career in the Air Force.  Enlisting gave me the best option for now, and I'll pursue different opportunities as they present themselves. 

 

If anyone reading this is considering joining the military, I'll end this post with this advice:  Make your own decisions.  You will certainly hear many opinions and ideas, and yes, they will have an effect on you.  But do your research, think carefully about your goals, make a pro/con list (I made several- I was obsessed), and in the end make the best decision for YOU.  Don't do it just for the benefits or the money, because you may not enjoy your experience if you enlist for the wrong reasons.  Take those rose colored glasses off and research/think/debate/consider all you can!   

 



 

Source here.



 

What about while I'm at BMT???

I know all of you are asking, "Kristi, how can I stay in touch with you while you are gone?"

(At least, I'm pretending you are all asking me that, or thinking that, or just curious.)

While at BMT, trainees (that's me) will not have a lot of time for communication.  Absolutely no texting, emailing, photo-sending, snapchatting, tweeting, facebooking, smoke-signalling, morse coding, etc.  Phone calls are few and far between (IF our flight is good and performing well), and timed.  I'll get 10 minutes (or so I hear-I'll update once I actually experience this) to plug in, turn on cell phone, and make a call.  Here is the factsheet on cell phone use at BMT.  I will have a call list- probabaly family first, going on to the next person if no one answers.  I have already decided that if a wingman doesn't have a phone, I will be sharing so my time will be even shorter. *Just heard we'll each get 10 minutes :)  Love how helpful past BMT-ers are!

From this source.



Letters- ah, I hear we will be living for mail call.  Mail call and mealtime.  Please send letters.  I don't have an address yet.  I'll know when I get there and the night I get there I believe I make a call to let my family know what it is.  I'll be barking it- I believe it will be a rather rude phone call so maybe let the machine get it?  My plan is to give my parents access to facebook so they can post my address so everyone can see.  I'll say this now- please write!  Even if it's a postcard- anything is grand.  Well, except for...

THINGS TO NOT SEND TO BMT:

• Care packages including any kinds of food.  We open packages in front of our MTI (Military Training Instructor), and they don't take kindly to food being sent.  I'll either make myself sick trying to eat everything in whatever time limit they set or MTI's will take it.  Please don't send anything food related while I'm at BMT (Tech school will be another matter :) ) 
• Anything personal- unless I ask for it like shampoo or hair gel (apperently tough to get the right kind), I can get what I need at the BX or the mini-mall. 
• Anything large and difficult to store.  I will have a drawer and a wall locker- that's it.  No trunk like they show in the movies- anything I receive I will need to be able to stash away neatly.  If you have pictures to send, it's recommended to upload them on a word document so you can print out multiples and they fold up nicely :) 
• FOOD- I can't stress this enough.  I've heard horror stories.  I'll get chewed out and made to throw perishible items away... unless the MTI's come up with a better plan. 
• Nothing tacky/gushy/funny/cute- make it tasteful, people.  I don't want MTI's to know me for my mail!  If you look at the Q&A provided by AF WingMoms, some MTI's may encourage you to fill letters with glitter and confetti (as per their sense of humors)... DON'T DO IT!!! Please!
• No gifts, even if I'm there over Christmas.  I will not have a lot of packing room as I go straight to tech school after graduation weekend.  If you come to graduation, feel free to bring anything then, but please bear in mind I may ask you to ship it to me at tech school (nope, no address for that yet). 

Questions?  If in doubt, KISS- Keep It Simple, Sister.  Really, I'll love getting letters and cards from you- Please don't be offended if I don't return the favor.  We aren't scheduled "writing home time" and I'll probably use what time I can for study and sleep.  If you don't hear from me, keep sending!  I'll be better able to reply at tech school, where I'll have a little bit more free time. 

You may also be able to find pictures of me (or at least of my flight/brother flight/squadron) on the Facebook site for the Air Force. By me, I mean possibly a photo of me in a group of my flight or during training. Sometimes they post photos on the USAF BMT facebook page, or there may be some info on the AFWingMoms page. There will also be a group for my training squadron and flight, which you will be able to search for once you get my information. The AFWingMoms site/facebook page will be extremely helpful in searching for this and any other information. They have weekly Q&A sessions with former MTI's, recruiters, and other Air Force personnel. They also update on what happens in each WOT (Week of Training), so you will know what I'm going through!

*Immediate disclaimer- I may not be emotionally able to communicate the way I normally would with you.  If you get a phone call, please bear with me as I have no idea what type of emotional state I will be in.  If you get a letter, not only will you be one of the lucky few, but it will probably be disjointed as we will not have time to write a whole letter- it will be time I steal before bed or if the MTI is feeling gracious. I will probably also be exhausted, and will not want to relay a whole week of training to you. If I'm not communicative, start blabbing! I may not want to talk, but my ears will be VERY good at listening by then and hearing about your day may be just what I need.  It may be the case that you can't get me to shut up, but as I have no idea, I'd love it if you can be prepared, too.  Maybe anytime you think of me, write down where you were and why and keep that list by the phone.