05 January 2003,

            First journal entry of the new-year and I am ready to do the final push to be tweet complete.   I have a lot left to do (Final Contact, Instrument, and Formation checkrides) but it all happens relatively quick from here (I think).   I have done the math and I only have 11 more simulator rides, and 40 more tweet rides.   I will, barring sickness or failure, be tweet complete in about 10 weeks. 

            It is a little bit odd to think that I might already be so close to being done with something that I have looked forward to for so very long.  Everything I have done for the last year and half has been to fly the Tweet.  Yes, you can argue that it has been to get my wings and yes, that is my ultimate goal, however it all started with being focused on the T-37.  I am very, very excited about going on to the T-1.  It looks like a such a cool plane and it will be comfortable to fly (so I am told).  No more upside down, g-pullin’, nonsense.  Those things are fun, but I prefer more transport type flying.  We will see.  Enough of the nostalgia for the Tweet, that I haven’t even finished yet. 

            Well, we started our 2^nd to last academic class for the T-37.   Navigation.  It will mainly be focused on how to find needed information for a cross country, as well as the en-route structure of flying.  I think it will be very cool to learn this stuff and I am excited to be close to completing academics.  Approximatley one month from now, academics will be finished.  Wa-hoo!

            On a different note, it is kind of interesting to see everyone modifying their flying goals.  Some people who really wanted fighters or transports have become wishy-washy and are not really sure what they want, whereas some of the people who really just want to be pilots have firmed up exactly what type they want to be.   It is very neat to watch them grow and make the decisions that they think will best serve them in the future.  Either way, the Air Force still benefits. 

            For future reference, if you go to UPT, there will be people in your class that need your help, that need you to clear up some confusion, or just need a helping hand.   It is definitely in YOUR best interest to help those people.  IF you can teach someone something, then you are only making yourself better.  Don’t be a dick, and think you know everything, because you won’t.  But you can help your fellow flight-mate and the Air Force at the same time.  If you step on your flight-mates because you want to finish first in your class (to get the plane that YOU want), your flight-mates will know and you will be the one who ends up suffering.  Also, no one likes and asshole, so don’t be that guy/gal. 

            To continue with that topic, you probably will have someone, or two, or whatever in your flight that you don’t like (maybe that no one likes).  Just remember, they may not be your friend, they may not deserve to be there (in your opinion), but they ARE there and the Air Force wants them to graduate, your job is to help.  However, do not carry someone who does not put forth the effort on their own.  If they try, they deserve your help, if they don’t then they have made that decision, not you.

            The absolute coolest thing about pilot training is……….well yeah, ok, the flying, but the 2^nd coolest thing is your companionship.  People have a unique way of bonding through stress and difficulties.  I am so glad to be a part of that will my “dawgs”.  I don’t like everyone and I am sure everyone doesn’t like me, but when you’re in pilot training that really doesn’t matter too much because you are all in it together.