Curriculum

According to the Air Force website, this is the expected curriculum and schedule:

Our curriculum is broken down into several areas.

-DRILL AND CEREMONIES:

We are going to teach you marching skills. This is the most effective method of moving a large mass of people from one area to another. In addition, it reinforces self-discipline, teamwork and leadership. We will give you the basic skills and expect you to practice them. Everyone must be able to effectively march (lead) a flight in drill.

-HEALTH AND FITNESS:

We cover the importance of maintaining a good physical fitness program. You will participate in a daily aerobic/anaerobic program. A fitness test will be administered near the end of training. You’ll be required to pass the fitness test to graduate with honors. Additionally, you will participate in several outdoor leadership laboratories requiring physical fitness.

-COMMUNICATION SKILLS (CS):

We will familiarize you with various forms of military correspondence and provide you opportunities to write military-style documents. Besides military correspondence, we will instruct you on the basics of military briefings and thus, you will be given the opportunity to give a short briefing.

-PROFESSION OF ARMS (PA):

You will learn proper military customs and courtesies, military dress and grooming standards for the proper wear of the uniform, the nature of the military profession with an emphasis on Air Force Officership, and the importance of professional relationships.

-MILITARY STUDIES AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES (MS):

You will learn the structure of the Department of Defense including the Department of the Air Force. You will also learn the concept of the Expeditionary Aerospace Force - the Air Forces guiding vision for how we are organized, trained, and equipped to deploy and sustain our aerospace forces for military operations overseas. As part of the International Security Studies, you will learn about the Air Force role in Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW).

-LEADERSHIP STUDIES (LS):

This is the largest portion of our curriculum. You will study various leadership styles, problem solving techniques, and management tools. You will then have an opportunity to put some of them into practice during our many practical leadership exercises. Additionally, you will be trained in the importance of the Air Force Officer Honor Code as well as the Air Force Core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.

The “sample” schedule below will give you an idea of a typical summer training day. Physical conditioning will always be in the morning, but may be conducted inside.
0515-0615: Physical Conditioning
0615-0800: Personal Time and Breakfast
0800-1200: Training/Academics
1200-1300: Lunch/Student Wing Activities
1300-1700: Training/Academics
1700-1800: Evening Meal
1800-2200: Trainee Group Activities/Meetings 2200-2330: Personal Time or Sleep

2330           : Lights Out

Okay, I'm not going to lie - while I was very excited for the last few months, I am beginning to get a bit... anxious! I keep thinking of other Jewish chaplains I know who have gone through it, and I tell myself, "If that putz could to it, I certainly can!" (for those unfamiliar with the Yiddish, putz, you're on your own...)