Was not fake, nor racist. This is the way it was then. I came through basic training in the Air Force at the same time in 1981 and Tech School at Lackland Air Force Base, and while not funny then, I roared with laughter watching this documentary.
I don't know who your DI's were "Stan Holewa", but I had TI's in the AF who were no more than E-5's and E-4's, so there is now way they had any kind of experience in anything. I remember our squad leader when we graduated basic was going to become a TI. Absolutely no experience in the military at all. The DI's just got a little lost for words because the cameras were on them and in their faces. PVT Johnson had no respect for what they were trying to teach her. Basic Training is about following the rules, learning the military ways, and of course the physical part. Alot of what goes on is mental. The girls that are so common in the documentary are the ones that stayed in the most trouble or did something that drew attention to themselves. PVT Johnson was lazy and didn't care if she was there or not, and Alves, (OMG) where to start with her. The documentary only shows a glimpse of how things were then. During this time, Reagan had just become President and things were really starting to change for women in the military. At 10:50 into the documentary the girls were sitting around complaining and PVT Tutin started talking about the individuality and clicks going on with different girls; that's what basic training is for; to try and establish a cohesiveness and respect for authority while integrating into a new way of life. I think PVT Tutin may have just been a little embarrassed because the cameras were in her face.
For the poster who said with all the crying they should have entered the Air Force. LOL we had the same things going on at the time. I remember one girl who cried almost every night.
Best decision I ever made was to stay in the military. I retired in 2001 after 20 years.
Basic Training has changed drastically since this time for the men and women. I hear they have crap like time outs if the trainee is getting too stressed. WHAT? And I don't think they go on road marches in boots anymore, they get issued tennis shoes.
OMG I could go on and on and would love to see the parts that were cut out and what happened to some of these girls/women. I was 17 year old girl going in and 38 year old woman when I retired.
What a hoot! Thanks for the memories!