The Talk

Before going to basic training, there are a few things one should do and know. First of all, you have to know your reporting statement. It is very dull and you have to say it every time you talk to someone of higher rank than you, especially your TI (Training Instructor.) When they ask you something, or you need to ask them something, the first thing you have to say is: "Sir (or Ma'm if it's a woman), Trainee -insert last name- reports as ordered." So, if you had a male TI and you're last name was Smith, you'd have to say, "Sir, Trainee Smith reports as ordered." Simple, easy, and something you have to say all the time in basic. You don't really say it once you graduate BMT, though.
Second, remember the Airman's Creed and the Airman's song. The song is long and you'll be forced to sing it nearly every morning in Basic Training, as soon as you wake up. You can read it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_U.S._Air_Force_(song)

Now, the Creed is a bit shorter than the song and easier to remember. It is also a very new thing to the Air Force. With all the traditions of the Air Force, it still felt like something was missing. So, in 2007, the Air Force Chief of Staff and the Air Force Chief Master Sargent (Which are the highest ranks you can go for enlisted and officer) decided to issue a Creed for all Airmen. It goes:

I am an American Airman.
I am a warrior.
I have answered my Nation's call.

I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice.
My Nation's Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,
And I will not fail.

Pretty sweet, huh? Imagine thousands of BMT trainees all reciting this at the same time. It is going to be so great. Another thing that you should probably know are the Air Force Core Values. Three lines, really easy.

Integrity First
Service Before Self
Excellence In All We Do

That's it. It's just the basic set of values to live by. The Core Values are pretty serious and are taught to everybody; enlisted, officer, active, reserve, or whatever you may be. The values are supposed to remind Airman what it takes to get a mission done and meant to inspire Airman to do our best at all times.
Next, you might want to learn the phonetic alphabet. I know, I know. So much to learn, it makes your brain ache. Oh, well. The phonetic alphabet is really easy, anyway. For every letter of the alphabet, there is a word that correlates to it. This helps when sending messages through the radio or talking on the telephone so that "eavesdroppers" don't really understand what's being said. It also helps when some letters or words sound really similar to others so that there is no confusion if transmission is a little garbled.
A = Alfa/ Alpha
B = Bravo
C = Charlie
D = Delta
E = Echo
F = Foxtrot
G = Golf
H = Hotel
I = India
J = Juliett
K = Kilo
L = Lima
M = Mike
N = November
O = Oscar
P = Papa
Q = Quebec
R = Romeo
S = Sierra
T = Tango
U = Uniform
V = Victor
W = Whiskey
X = X-ray
Y = Yankee
Z = Zulu

So, if you wanted to say Army, you'd say "Alpha Romeo Mike Yankee." Easy. Now, you don't have to memorize all this stuff if you don't want to. I'm just saying, going into Basic Training is WAY easier when you already know all these things than if you go in without knowing them. It's nice to know the enlisted and the officer rank structure, too (what the officer pins and the enlisted stripes stand for.) You will get taught things like that in Basic, but knowing early makes it better than going in and cramming all this stuff in at once on top of the mental beat down that your TI gives you, with all the screaming and insults, and the physical beat down with all the crazy running, push ups, sit ups, and endurance all day long.
Speaking of physical beat down, you might want to get in shape before Basic. Not saying you have to be a body builder or go out and start trying to run a marathon, but you should at least put forth an effort to get fit. Try walking every day, then a brisk walk, then a jog, and maybe throw in a few sprints every once in a while. Ride a bike. Lift weights. Something so that you aren't going to pass out or throw up your first week at Basic Training.
Try job shadowing. If you know what you want to do in the Air Force, then find out about your job. Go talk with someone who has the job you'll be doing. See where the nearest AF base is and see if your recruiter can set up a time for you to visit. Learn as much about your career as you can. You'll be doing that job for a while, so you'll want to be prepared for the facts of exactly what you'll be doing. People who do that job have plenty of experiences to tell you about that will show what you'll do. You'll be surprised at what some of the Airman have to say.
Finally, one thing that you should almost definitely do before going to Basic Training for the Air Force is have The Talk. Sit down with your family and tell them that you're going into the Air Force. Tell them what you want to do, tell them why you want to do it, and give them all the facts. Give them a good idea of what the Air Force is really like because you going into the Air Force will effect them. If you're in high school or college, sit down with your parents or guardians or even your siblings. As an adult, you should tell your spouse or your girlfriend/boyfriend that you joined. If your family is moving with you to a base, you better tell them now rather than after Basic Training. Your family loves you (hopefully) and needs to understand what you're doing with your life and why. It's for the best to tell the people you love that you've sworn in for the Air Force. It will definitely make you feel better once you say something. If you have anyone in your family or circle of friends who was in the military, ask them questions. Get good advice. It'll be worth it.

Feel free to ask me anything.

Trainee Elizabeth, US Air Force