Airmen live, learn warrior ethos
SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) --
Airmen going through basic training are focusing on living and learning what it means to be combat-ready.
This education centers on Air Force warrior ethos -- strengthening an Airman's mind, body and spirit.
"The warrior ethos has always been a part of an Airman's character, but some people may have lost sight of it," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "This warrior ethos exhibits a hardiness of spirit, and moral and physical courage."
The Air Force's newest warfighters are learning from day one the importance of warrior ethos. Basic military training instructors, like Tech. Sgt. Daniel Wheeler, are making sure this combat mindset is being understood.
"We are trying to change the mindset that our trainees have coming in," Sergeant Wheeler said. "They have the impression that we are a chair force. We are trying to change that assumption and show them that we are warriors, just like the rest of the services.
"In order to get the trainees to not freeze and flee (in combat) is to give them training," said the basic military training instructor, or TI. "So the ethos we present, such as the Spartans did, is to emphasize that training. We have to get deep into their hearts and minds because that's where the ethos comes from."
And this message is coming through as loud and clear as a TI's voice in a basic trainee's ear.
"I didn't expect this level of intensity," said Airman Jeffrey Harrell, a basic trainee. "It is important that we get this level of training because it may end up saving my life or somebody else's life in the future."
But the warrior ethos won't end for these new Airmen after graduation from basic training.
"Everybody in my flight is proud of where we come from," said the trainee from Belding, Mich. "I'm extremely proud to be here. I bragged to all of my friends back home that I was coming to basic training. I can't wait to go back and tell everyone that I'm an Airman."
(Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee from the Air Force News Agency contributed to this story.)
This education centers on Air Force warrior ethos -- strengthening an Airman's mind, body and spirit.
"The warrior ethos has always been a part of an Airman's character, but some people may have lost sight of it," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "This warrior ethos exhibits a hardiness of spirit, and moral and physical courage."
The Air Force's newest warfighters are learning from day one the importance of warrior ethos. Basic military training instructors, like Tech. Sgt. Daniel Wheeler, are making sure this combat mindset is being understood.
"We are trying to change the mindset that our trainees have coming in," Sergeant Wheeler said. "They have the impression that we are a chair force. We are trying to change that assumption and show them that we are warriors, just like the rest of the services.
"In order to get the trainees to not freeze and flee (in combat) is to give them training," said the basic military training instructor, or TI. "So the ethos we present, such as the Spartans did, is to emphasize that training. We have to get deep into their hearts and minds because that's where the ethos comes from."
And this message is coming through as loud and clear as a TI's voice in a basic trainee's ear.
"I didn't expect this level of intensity," said Airman Jeffrey Harrell, a basic trainee. "It is important that we get this level of training because it may end up saving my life or somebody else's life in the future."
But the warrior ethos won't end for these new Airmen after graduation from basic training.
"Everybody in my flight is proud of where we come from," said the trainee from Belding, Mich. "I'm extremely proud to be here. I bragged to all of my friends back home that I was coming to basic training. I can't wait to go back and tell everyone that I'm an Airman."
(Staff Sgt. Jeremy Larlee from the Air Force News Agency contributed to this story.)
