What I remember most about Basic Training is arriving at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas and checking in at a place that looked like a bus station. We were all sitting with our luggage when a lady with taps on her shoes approached. She said " you b*****s get your s**t and come with me!" We all looked at each other and watched her walk away. She returned and repeated what she had stated earlier, but this time it was louder. She turned and walked away. Again, we remained seated, confused and not sure what to do. After all, the lady hadn't said hello or properly introduced herself to us. She marched back toward us with those taps ticking and with a roar like lion said, "YOU B*****S GET YOUR S**t AND COME WITH ME!" Now, I dont know what was going through the minds of the other recruits, but I was following her no matter where she was going, out a window, off a cliff, etc... I was scared! We all followed her after that. She was our Training Instructor (T.I.).

My fondest memory in Basic Training is marching and Airman Lyons. No matter how hard she tried Lyons could not stay in step when we marched. Lyons was very tall, so her head bouncing in the opposite direction of everyone elses, when she was out of step, was very obvious. The T.I. was constantly yelling, "Lyons, get in step!" and she would, but it only last for few seconds and her head would be going against the grain again. One day the T.I. address the rest of saying we had all somehow managed to get out of step, except for Lyons and had us change step march. In the dorm, we worked with Lyons on her marching and she improved, but she still got yelled at from time to time for getting out of step throughout Basic Training. On Graduation Day were standing outside getting ready for the big day when a group of new recruits marched by. Just then, their T.I. yelled "Lyons, get in step!" Lyons even laughed because it wasn't her this time. It must be a Lyons trait.

I hate needles, so my worst memory of Basic Training is standing in line, single file with a nurse on each side of me administering vaccinations or shots. One by one, we got our shots in each arm and moved up to the next set of nurses with needles ready and waiting. I carefully watched the reactions of the Airmen in front of me to get an idea of how painful the next set shots were going to be. I had never before or since had so many shots at one time in my whole life. It's been a long time ago, but I remember that day well.