WEEK 6
THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
Here are some of the activities and requirements for Week Six:
– SERE (Survival Evasion Resistance Escape)
– Deployment briefing
– Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training (BEAST)
If you're interested in a more in-depth description of BEAST (and to better appreciate exactly what he went through) here is this from the AF Wingmoms FB Page (Link HERE):
Jobs during BEAST:
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ZONE LEADER
• Selected by BEAST Cadre from the pool of Dorm Chiefs assigned to the Zone.
• Liaison between BEAST Cadre and flight members.
• Responsible for ensuring all assigned tasks are accomplished within the time allocated.
• Report all disciplinary problems to the BEAST Cadre immediately.
BEAST MONITOR
• One trainee per flight.
• Ensure flight members wear the correct uniform and have a neat and clean personal appearance.
• Ensure flight members wear proper footwear in and outside the tent area.
• Brief flight on information and instructions derived by key flight leaders under observation of the BEAST Cadre.
• Report all disciplinary problems by using your chain of command.
• Supervise the behavior of flight members at all times.
• Ensure all assigned personnel are present or accounted for (e.g., hospital and security detail) before lights out.
• Supervise the cleaning of the tent, common use areas and outside areas.
• Conduct daily checks for cleanliness, damage and proper placement of equipment. Elevate problems to the BEAST Cadre.
• Responsible for assigning and ensuring flight members are covering the designated positions:
• Annotate schedules, track team performances, monitor trainee positions and accountability of all assigned personnel in UCC Tent.
• Assist with tent drills.
TACTICAL DEPLOYMENT LEADER (TDL)
• Two trainees per tent. (4 – 6 per flight)
• Accountable for security shifts that the TDT is assigned to cover.
• Assist BEAST monitor in the design and maintenance of the security schedules and response teams.
• Provide TDT Roster to the UCC Tent.
• Brief mission and answer any questions.
• Lead team through mission successfully.
• Keep track of time while deployed.
• Maintain a log of information to be briefed to BEAST Cadre. Ensure the log contains sightings, rescues, tasks completed and OPFOR encounters.
• Ensure assigned personnel are dressed and have all required equipment.
• Perform accountability checks at the end of each day to track completion of mission LEARNING OUTCOMES on each trainee’s BMT (AEF) ID card. Each objective needs to only be checked off once and cards will be collected on Friday.
• Operational Risk Management (ORM)
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (EM) MONITOR
• One trainee per tent. (2 per flight)
• Ensure response teams are proficient and apply appropriate procedures during all exercises.
• Conduct EM tent drills
SELF-AID AND BUDDY CARE (SABC)MONITOR
• One trainee per tent. (2 per flight)
• Ensure response teams are proficient and apply appropriate procedures during all exercises.
• Conduct SABC tent drills.
ENTRY CONTROLLER (EC) MONITOR
• One trainee per flight.
• Assist BEAST monitor in the design and maintenance of the security schedules and response teams.
• Responsible for ensuring those trainees scheduled to perform DFP and report on time, do not miss meals and are relieved on time.
• Assist with the tent drills.
MRE (Meals Ready to Eat)/EQUIPMENT MONITOR
• One trainee per tent. (2 per flight)
Distribute the appropriate number of MREs from Dakota Warehouse or alternate storage facility to each individual assigned to that Zone.
Place MREs inside the backpack until consumed at designated meal times.
Inform your chain of command if a trainee suffers from any type of food allergy or unique dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian, Halal and Kosher), so they can be issued specific type of meals.
Notify your chain of command of any malfunctioning, missing or broken equipment within your tent.
Interior – look at lights, cots, footlockers, sleeping bags, etc.
Exterior – look for holes in air conditioning/heat hose, lace fabric of the tent, zipper broke on entrance to tent, etc.
Responsible for ensuring that all areas have been inventoried. If items are unserviceable or missing, document the discrepancy and notify the BEAST Cadre.
WEAPONS MONITOR
• One trainee per tent. (2 per flight)
• Ensure accountability of all weapons and inform BEAST Monitor or BEAST Cadre of any missing/unaccounted weapon.
• Monitor weapons safety and inform BEAST Monitor or BEAST Cadre of any horseplay/safety infractions.
• Monitor assigned personnel to ensure they are in direct possession of or within one arms length from their weapon. NOTE
• When in the tent and not field stripping weapon, trainees weapon will be placed under their cot resting on X frame, muzzle facing away from center aisle. : when using the latrine, your wingman can take possession of your weapon. Ensure all assigned personnel are in direct possession of or within one arms length away from their weapon at all times.
WAR SKILLS AND MILITARY STUDIES (WSMS)MONITOR
• One trainee per flight.
• Assists the BEAST Monitor in maintaining the security and response team schedules.
• Responsible for taking and reporting accountability for mandatory lesson “Introduction to the Code of Conduct.”
Inform a member of the BEAST Cadre if there are trainees on site that have not had this Block I.
Take attendance prior to the video and inform BEAST Cadre of any missing trainees.
• Report to BEAST Cadre anyone that is not present for any portion of the four days of mandatory training.
• Assist with the tent drills.
POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ZONE LEADER
• Selected by BEAST Cadre from the pool of Dorm Chiefs assigned to the Zone.
• Liaison between BEAST Cadre and flight members.
• Responsible for ensuring all assigned tasks are accomplished within the time allocated.
• Report all disciplinary problems to the BEAST Cadre immediately.
BEAST MONITOR
• One trainee per flight.
• Ensure flight members wear the correct uniform and have a neat and clean personal appearance.
• Ensure flight members wear proper footwear in and outside the tent area.
• Brief flight on information and instructions derived by key flight leaders under observation of the BEAST Cadre.
• Report all disciplinary problems by using your chain of command.
• Supervise the behavior of flight members at all times.
• Ensure all assigned personnel are present or accounted for (e.g., hospital and security detail) before lights out.
• Supervise the cleaning of the tent, common use areas and outside areas.
• Conduct daily checks for cleanliness, damage and proper placement of equipment. Elevate problems to the BEAST Cadre.
• Responsible for assigning and ensuring flight members are covering the designated positions:
• Annotate schedules, track team performances, monitor trainee positions and accountability of all assigned personnel in UCC Tent.
• Assist with tent drills.
TACTICAL DEPLOYMENT LEADER (TDL)
• Two trainees per tent. (4 – 6 per flight)
• Accountable for security shifts that the TDT is assigned to cover.
• Assist BEAST monitor in the design and maintenance of the security schedules and response teams.
• Provide TDT Roster to the UCC Tent.
• Brief mission and answer any questions.
• Lead team through mission successfully.
• Keep track of time while deployed.
• Maintain a log of information to be briefed to BEAST Cadre. Ensure the log contains sightings, rescues, tasks completed and OPFOR encounters.
• Ensure assigned personnel are dressed and have all required equipment.
• Perform accountability checks at the end of each day to track completion of mission LEARNING OUTCOMES on each trainee’s BMT (AEF) ID card. Each objective needs to only be checked off once and cards will be collected on Friday.
• Operational Risk Management (ORM)
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (EM) MONITOR
• One trainee per tent. (2 per flight)
• Ensure response teams are proficient and apply appropriate procedures during all exercises.
• Conduct EM tent drills
SELF-AID AND BUDDY CARE (SABC)MONITOR
• One trainee per tent. (2 per flight)
• Ensure response teams are proficient and apply appropriate procedures during all exercises.
• Conduct SABC tent drills.
ENTRY CONTROLLER (EC) MONITOR
• One trainee per flight.
• Assist BEAST monitor in the design and maintenance of the security schedules and response teams.
• Responsible for ensuring those trainees scheduled to perform DFP and report on time, do not miss meals and are relieved on time.
• Assist with the tent drills.
MRE (Meals Ready to Eat)/EQUIPMENT MONITOR
• One trainee per tent. (2 per flight)
Distribute the appropriate number of MREs from Dakota Warehouse or alternate storage facility to each individual assigned to that Zone.
Place MREs inside the backpack until consumed at designated meal times.
Inform your chain of command if a trainee suffers from any type of food allergy or unique dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian, Halal and Kosher), so they can be issued specific type of meals.
Notify your chain of command of any malfunctioning, missing or broken equipment within your tent.
Interior – look at lights, cots, footlockers, sleeping bags, etc.
Exterior – look for holes in air conditioning/heat hose, lace fabric of the tent, zipper broke on entrance to tent, etc.
Responsible for ensuring that all areas have been inventoried. If items are unserviceable or missing, document the discrepancy and notify the BEAST Cadre.
WEAPONS MONITOR
• One trainee per tent. (2 per flight)
• Ensure accountability of all weapons and inform BEAST Monitor or BEAST Cadre of any missing/unaccounted weapon.
• Monitor weapons safety and inform BEAST Monitor or BEAST Cadre of any horseplay/safety infractions.
• Monitor assigned personnel to ensure they are in direct possession of or within one arms length from their weapon. NOTE
• When in the tent and not field stripping weapon, trainees weapon will be placed under their cot resting on X frame, muzzle facing away from center aisle. : when using the latrine, your wingman can take possession of your weapon. Ensure all assigned personnel are in direct possession of or within one arms length away from their weapon at all times.
WAR SKILLS AND MILITARY STUDIES (WSMS)MONITOR
• One trainee per flight.
• Assists the BEAST Monitor in maintaining the security and response team schedules.
• Responsible for taking and reporting accountability for mandatory lesson “Introduction to the Code of Conduct.”
Inform a member of the BEAST Cadre if there are trainees on site that have not had this Block I.
Take attendance prior to the video and inform BEAST Cadre of any missing trainees.
• Report to BEAST Cadre anyone that is not present for any portion of the four days of mandatory training.
• Assist with the tent drills.
* * * * *
BEAST Excellence
Basic Expeditionary Airmen Skills Training (BEAST) takes place during week 6 of BMT. BEAST is a simulated combat deployment exercise in which trainees are responsible for securing a zone in the simulated country of "THOR". The zones are called "Reaper", "Predator", "Sentinel" and "Vigilant". There are multiple flights assigned to each zone. During BEAST week each zone will be graded on the various scenarios they will encounter, activities they are asked to perform and their overall motivation. At the end of BEAST week the BEAST instructors will award BEAST Excellence to the zone that out performed all others. Points are awarded to the flights based on their ranking during BEAST week, with the flights earning BEAST Excellence getting the most points. These points will be used towards the flights earning Warrior Flight or Honor Flight. The flights that earn BEAST Excellence do not get any special privileges for winning but they do get bragging rights for beating out all the other flights.
HERE is a slideshow of WOT 6 pictures!!
I know that's a ton of information, but I figured maybe it'd help you understand the sort of pressure and responsibility that this week brought the airmen!! They were basically put into a deployment type setting and were supposed to "fend for themselves" by relying on each other and being a united FLIGHT! It's highly anticipated and usually what most scares the hell out of them and excites them at the same about the entire BMT experience!
To start off the week, my husband called me for his "pre-beast" call on Sunday around 3:30 in the afternoon. We got to speak for about fifteen minutes and he seemed in amazing spirits. He was hyped for the week to come - told me they were bused off to the "BEAST grounds" at 6am Monday morning and would arrive back on base late afternoon on Friday. Since I'll probably not get any news from him at all this week, I asked him a bunch of questions to help me prepare for the trip. I asked what foods/junk foods he wanted the most, to which he answered "Peanut M&Ms, skittles, and GIANT oatmeal pies!" I'll add that to the other things I'll be taking just for him and hopefully he'll be fully satisfied!! He also had me reassure the family members who'd be attending that he was looking forward to seeing them and spending time with everyone. After I got off the phone, and as I was about to go sit down for dinner, I received an email confirmation for my reservation at Gateway Villa - the full-kitchenette TLF (Temporary Lodging Facility) on base. I didn't think I was going to get a spot for us because I'd heard they were full, but I guess because I'd been emailing with the manager over the Inns of Lackland, he held a spot for us and we totally go the hook up! I am SO STOKED and hoping and praying that our reservation doesn't get bumped for an active-duty military member/family. I'll keep a positive attitude and pray everyday!!
Monday... the only day I got a letter. It was a very nice thing to come home from work to, but that was ALL the communication I got from him... until Saturday (but we'll get to that in a minute!). On Tuesday I went to the Army Reserve Center off Bell Rd. in Nashville and got my DoD ID made, which was quite a rude and annoying process, but it's done so I'm thankful!! I'm now the proud owner of a black and white photo where my eyebrows look nonexistent!! But I'm just glad to have it!! Afterwards I headed over to the TriCare office, but they weren't very helpful either - much more friendly but they were under the impression that I should wait to take care of my insurance until the hubs get stationed and go to the local office on base. Whatevs, I just wasn't in the mood to be indignant so I said thanks, took my brochures, and left.
Now to Saturday - around 3pm I got a phone call from my wonderful husband (which only lasted 15 minutes, just like all the others) and it made the entire crappy week wash away. I always hate that we don't get more time to talk, but it is what it is and it'll change soon!! I pretty much monopolized the conversation (what else is new?! LOL) and ran out of time before we knew it. I got all my questions answered and shared all the news with what happened to me and he didn't get a chance to say much. Oh well, can't change it now - I'll just make more of an effort to LISTEN next time!! Just knowing he's on the other end of the call makes me so jittery that I can't stop talking :) But there's only 12 more days left until I'm in his arms again and it can't come quickly enough.
Until next time...
Now to Saturday - around 3pm I got a phone call from my wonderful husband (which only lasted 15 minutes, just like all the others) and it made the entire crappy week wash away. I always hate that we don't get more time to talk, but it is what it is and it'll change soon!! I pretty much monopolized the conversation (what else is new?! LOL) and ran out of time before we knew it. I got all my questions answered and shared all the news with what happened to me and he didn't get a chance to say much. Oh well, can't change it now - I'll just make more of an effort to LISTEN next time!! Just knowing he's on the other end of the call makes me so jittery that I can't stop talking :) But there's only 12 more days left until I'm in his arms again and it can't come quickly enough.
Until next time...
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