McConnell trainee on track to graduate BMT

Published May 20, 2013
By Master Sgt. Brannen Parrish
931 Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND -- The 931st Air Refueling Group's newest Airmen is on course to graduate Basic Military Training, here.

Trainee Trejon Hill, of the 357th Training Flight, 322nd Training Squadron, will become McConnell Air Force Base's newest Airman when he marches across the parade grounds during the Airman's Graduation Parade, May 24.

Hill said he has several close family members who are retired or are serving in the military which gave him insight prior to leaving for basic military training.

"I was pretty much a military brat, so I was expecting what I've gone through," said Hill who will be assigned to the 931st Maintenance Squadron in the Fuels Section after graduation.

According to Hill, the Developmental Training Flight, an Air Force Reserve Command program that prepares new recruits prior to BMT, played a role in helping him get to the final week. Due to the relatively short time between Hill's enlistment and his departure for BMT, he only had one opportunity to attend one DTF assembly but the time was beneficial.

"We ran the mile and a half. We did push-ups, sit-ups, and a little bit of classroom work, going over dress and appearance and what to expect here at basic training," said Hill. "So we had a good idea about what to expect when we arrived at basic training."

Hill said his reasons for enlisting transcend personal benefit but if he could do it all over, he probably would have taken Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps classes in high school and joined more quickly.

"As far as the military goes, I joined to serve my country; that hasn't changed," said Hill. "If I could I probably would have taken ROTC classes in high school instead of waiting and I probably would have joined right out of high school instead of waiting."

Hill said his family was supportive about his decision to join the Air Force Reserve and they plan to be in San Antonio to see him march across the parade ground.

"They were ecstatic when I signed the enlistment papers," said Hill. "My family will be here."

Hill said he has a message for his family and his future supervisors at the 931st MXS.

"I would tell my family that I'm making them proud, and I am looking forward to seeing them," said Hill. "I'd tell the people at my unit that I'm ready to get to work."