<P> Trainees that sustain injuries or illnesses that disrupt their training are transferred to the Medical Hold Flight . Once they are again medically fit, the trainee will generally return to their prior training squadron as part of a flight currently at an equivalent place in the training cycle that they left . </P> <P> Basic Military Training is an eight - and - a-half - week cycle of training which begins with the receiving phase (also known as zero week) and ending with graduation . </P> <P> Inbound trainees are transported to Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base . Upon arrival at Lackland, trainees will be assigned to a Squadron and a Flight . Trainees will then be rushed up to their dorm rooms where they will be given a bed and a wall locker (Personal Living Area or PLA) that they will take care of for the next eight and a half weeks . They will also be briefed on meal time procedures in the Dining Facility (DFAC) and other essential ground rules that will apply throughout the duration of Basic Training . </P> <P> As the initial uniform issue is not until the following Thursday or Friday, trainees will be required to wear civilian clothes for at least one full day . During this period, trainees will be referred to as a "Rainbow Flight" or simply as "Rainbows" because of the flight's bright and varied clothing . In order to break in their new boots, trainees will alternate wearing sneakers and boots with their newly issued uniforms until the end of Zero Week, earning them the nickname "Sneaker Weekers" or "Baby Flights". After first clothing issue, civilian belongings and baggage will be secured and stored for the remainder of BMT . </P>

How long are you in basic training for the air force