I saw a video clip of an Air Force Military Training Instructor saying that by the end of our basic training, Airmen are in better shape than U.S. Marines. Watching this man make the statement that Air Force basic training is harder than Marine Corps basic training was really surprising to me as an Airman. Our training is definitely challenging, but it doesn’t quite compare to the intensity of Marine Corps recruit training.

Watching this MTI make that statement was disappointing. On behalf of many thoughtful Airmen, I want to clarify that this doesn’t reflect our true perspective. I hope he was just repeating something directed from above, because his body language suggested he lacked confidence in what he was saying.

I spent months training alongside Marines before shipping out for basic training. I got to learn their routines and was fully prepared for their intense training. I also spoke with different recruiters and eventually chose the Air Force. If you want to read more about why I switched branches, you can find it here!

Here’s a simple example of how our training differs. When Drill Instructors work with Marines, they run beside their platoons and lead cadences. During Air Force basic training, we never ran together as a group. Our runs were generally about two miles on a set road path, done individually at our own pace while the Training Instructors rode bikes to monitor everyone. That felt very different.

I haven’t been through other branches’ basic training, so I can’t speak for them, but I do know Marines run a lot more and almost always with their Drill Instructors. They also have more incentive training focused on physical exercises like push-ups or mountain climbers, which we didn’t experience as much. When we were given corrective tasks, it was usually kitchen patrol, which was exhausting because of the hours and lack of sleep but didn’t really improve fitness.

Our boot camp was challenging in its own way, and I faced my own difficulties, especially early on before adjusting to the environment. But comparing our Air Force physical training to the Marine Corps’ feels inaccurate. The MTI who made this claim should reconsider their statement, whether it was personal opinion or something they were told to say.

I’d even argue that training with Marines while still in the delayed entry program was more physically demanding than all of Air Force basic training combined. The psychological and emotional challenges are different, and while those aspects were tough, they still don’t compare to Marine Corps training. This perspective isn’t meant to diminish any branch, but just to be honest about the differences.

I’m proud to be an Airman, but I’m also realistic. Air Force boot camp is not as physically intense as Marine Corps boot camp. It’s important to recognize the differences and not make claims that don’t match the experience.