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JBSA News
NEWS | Oct. 30, 2009

A year later, BEAST gets rave reviews

By Mike Joseph 37th Training Wing Pubilc Affairs

When the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training course opened last December, followed closely by basic military training expansion to 8.5 weeks, Air Force officials had high expectations.

The combination of the two programs has been so successful it may send leadership looking for new adjectives to describe that success.

"I think the BEAST is running exceptionally well," said Col. Shane Courville, 737th Training Group commander. "It has met and exceeded all the expectations of the Air Force.

"The practical application of the BEAST reinforces everything we've taught them in the classroom. It's helping shape our Airmen into warrior Airmen."

Positive feedback from Airmen that have been through the combined programs is running over 95 percent. "Finally, we can apply what we've been learning" is the common thread from the respondents.

In addition to giving trainees a week of the sights, sounds and emotions in a deployed situation, flexibility of the BEAST allows real world scenarios to be incorporated quickly.

"We monitor real world events and the programs are flexible enough we can make changes and modifications to teach the latest techniques," said Colonel Courville.

One of the greatest dangers not only to Airmen, but all military, in Iraq and Afghanistan is improvised explosive devices. As enemy tactics change with planting and hiding IEDs, the BEAST has adapted and followed suit.

"They are trying to get creative in how they set IEDs off," Colonel Courville said. "We are teaching the trainees to recognize signs (and be ready for anything)."

Phase 2 of the BEAST officially opened Oct. 28 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Office space for instructors and a medical facility for initial medical care were unveiled, replacing old wooden structures.

A dining facility to serve hot meals and an overhang area for gathering up to 1,000 trainees for group meetings are also a part of Phase 2.

Colonel Courville's vision for the future includes additional areas like a rubberized track, rubber underneath the overhang for group physical training and a loudspeaker system that can be heard in all four of the BEAST's zones along with computer integration among the zones.

Meanwhile, officials are still receiving feedback from downrange supervisors about the BEAST. And if their feedback is as positive as the Airmen's, new descriptive adjectives for the BEAST will be in order.