Listen carefully

Senior Master Sgt. Steve Betancourt, 96th Medical Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, directs Joshua Santos, a recruit in the delayed entry program at Duke Field, on paying close attention to following instructions while maintaining military bearing and discipline. Sergeant Betancourt, a former military training instructor of four years, volunteered during the April unit training assembly to give DEP recruits a taste of what they will experience upon arriving at basic military training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The DEP maintains contact with recruits awaiting their ship date to BMT while ensuring they are in compliance with the Air Force Reserve standards. It also gives recruits the information and motivation to have a smoother transition from civilian to military life. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Jon McCallum)

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Close your eyes

Senior Master Sgt. Steve Betancourt, 96th Medical Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, commands recruits in the delayed entry program at Duke Field to close their eyes and imagine stepping off a bus at basic military training as they enter a fenced volleyball court. Senior Master Sgt. Betancourt, a prior MTI of four years, volunteered his time during the April unit training assembly to speak to recruits in the delayed entry program and give them a taste of what they will experience in their first few hours arriving at basic military training, Lackland AFB, Texas. The program maintains contact with recruits awaiting their ship date to BMT while ensuring they are in compliance with the Air Force Reserve standards. It also gives them the information and motivation to have a smoother transition from civilian to military life. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Jon McCallum)

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Mom looks on

A mother stands outside the gate surrounding the volleyball court at Duke Field as her son, a recruit participating in the delayed entry program, receives instruction on military bearing and the position of attention from Senior Master Sgt. Steve Betancourt, 96th Medical Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base. Sergeant Betancourt, a former military training instructor of four years now assigned at Eglin AFB, volunteered during the April unit training assembly to give DEP recruits a taste of what they will experience upon arriving at basic military training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The DEP maintains contact with recruits awaiting their ship date to BMT while ensuring they are in compliance with the Air Force Reserve standards. It also gives recruits the information and motivation to have a smoother transition from civilian to military life. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Jon McCallum)

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Get 'em up

Senior Master Sgt. Steve Betancourt, 96th Medical Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, commands a group of recruits at Duke Field to raise their hands high to prepare them to stand at the position of attention. Sergeant Betancourt, a former military training instructor of four years, volunteered during the April unit training assembly to give DEP recruits a taste of what they will experience upon arriving at basic military training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The DEP maintains contact with recruits awaiting their ship date to BMT while ensuring they are in compliance with the Air Force Reserve standards. It also gives recruits the information and motivation to have a smoother transition from civilian to military life. (U.S. Air Force photo /Senior Airman Jon McCallum)

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Hey, you, trainee

Senior Master Sgt. Steve Betancourt, 96th Medical Squadron. Eglin Air Force Base, calls out a specific recruit participating in the delayed entry program at Duke Field. Senior Master Sgt. Betancourt, a prior MTI of four years, volunteered his time during the April unit training assembly to speak to recruits in the delayed entry program and give them a taste of what they will experience in their first few hours arriving at basic military training, Lackland AFB, Texas. The program maintains contact with recruits awaiting their ship date to BMT while ensuring they are in compliance with the Air Force Reserve standards. It also gives them the information and motivation to have a smoother transition from civilian to military life. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Jon McCallum)

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Recruits get basic training 'preview'

Published April 22, 2009

Listen carefully

Close your eyes

Mom looks on

Get 'em up

Hey, you, trainee