My middle son and I, he just graduated Basic

[Critch]

He graduated last week and is now at Sheppard AFB, TX now, getting ready to start medic school...

He has a lot more ambition than his old AMMO dad..

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[Bill Hollinger]

Wow, you must be very proud! Congratulations to your son. Fine looking lad!

[Tired Retired]

Congrats to you both!!! Always good to see the next generation picking up the torch of freedom. May he have a long, successful and SAFE career.

- and that came from a retired NAVY guy!

[Dave]

Two strips now to graduate basic? Wow, not in my day ( 1953, Sampson AFB, NY) What are the two ribbons for? National Defence and ??

[Critch]

National Defense and the blue one is a training ribbon. Trevor has a two year degree and he's an Eagle Scout, either one would have gotten the two stripes.

I got one stripe out of basic for being the dorm chief...Things have changed so much. AF Basic is 8 weeks now, modeled after Army Basic...they are issued a rifle the first day and learn to take care of it...

I pretty much learned how to fold underwear and cuss....I was already good at listening.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Congratulations to both of you!

You have much reason to be proud of your son Sir!
It's true things have changed in all branches of the modern military and individuals must possess intelligence, education, computer savvy, physical ability, and self motivation in order to earn their stripes.

Young men such as your son are few and far between these days Critch.
Being a great parent has much to do with it. I know your son will do well in the military and in anything he peruses in life - Be proud of your own accomplishment.

(Now get back to folding those 'undies!' )

~ Harlan

[stonewall56]

Congratulations to you and your son. Wow, three major accomplishments! Two year degree, Eagle Scout and graduating Air Force basic training.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

Brings back memories. Never got any ribbons to go on the Ike jacket. In fact it wasn't until Gulf War one that I recieved my national defence ribbon! And that was in the ANG!! LOL

[browningautorifle]

Congrat's to both of you. After having done 35 years myself, I look at these young guys and wonder what it's going to look like to them after that long. I know things are not even close to what I started with. By the way, is that a Fairchild Boxcar you're standing beside?

[Dave]

In my day AF basic was 12 weeks and you got one stripe out of basic and the ND ribbon. Just one day on the rifle range with M1 carbine. After that additional stripes were based on 'time in grade' and performance in your MOS. Got additional stripe out of technical school, 9 months. Had to wait 2 1/2 years for the third stripe, after passing a verbal review before a board of officers and hi-enlisted ranks and a written test.