The Air Force Basic Military training has made some drastic changes to the training over the last 8 years. When I signed up in 2002 BMT was only 6 weeks long (not including what is known as "zero week" Now in 2013 Air Force BMT consists of 8 weeks of training and still has the "zero week".
Towards the end of training in 2002 the 5th week of training was "warrior week". This week long training consisted of firing the M-16 and the obstacle course. At the end of the training we were lined up and presented with our Airman's coins and were now officially Airman and no longer trainees. The line before communication "Sir/Ma'am trainee (insert last name) reports as ordered" became "Sir/Ma'am Airman (insert last name) reports as ordered". Those new airman that were confused and still called themselves trainees were threatened to go back a week of training.
Currently in 2013 warrior week is now known as "Beast week". The week of training consists of the same type of training but the trainees are no longer awarded an airman's coin and are not allowed to call themselves airmen until after retreat.
Another change is the structure in which base liberty and town pass is granted. When I went through training Our last week consisted of Saturday retreat followed by base liberty and the following day we were given a town pass. Currently BMT trainees have retreat on the last Thursday of training followed by base liberty. Friday Saturday become town pass days and Sunday is a Base liberty day with your family unless your flight has earned the achievement of honor flight. In that case Sunday is another town pass day.
So although training is longer, trainees are allotted more time to spend with their families before they are sent out to their respected technical training schools.
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