the saga continues……. 

Well, it’s Sunday and I got some much needed rest last night, almost 8 hours.  Wow, you never think about sleep when you are getting it regularly, but start dropping down to 5 hours a night and go-go-going all day and you will.  So anyway, right before bed last night, our drill honcho came up to me and informed me that I was flight leader the next day.  Not too big of a deal since it is Sunday, all I have to do is march the flight to meals and kinda keep tabs on everyone and everything.  Doing it during the week is much worse because you have to interact with the FTO’s.  Who don’t like you anyway, so screw-ups make them even more like a drop of sunshine. 

            Yesterday or the day before, I can’t remember (the days blend here), I was select for Squadron Commander while the upper-class is gone to VW (Vigilant Warrior, an outdoor 3 day exercise).  It is an honor to be selected, especially having no prior military service, however, what it really does, is create more work for me.  AND, if that weren’t enough, I have to report twice a day to all of the FTO’s boss, which if you’re smart, you’ll realize that if the FTO’s are bad, their boss is a ball of joy.  Permission to use sarcasm, sir?   Needless to say, I will have my reporting procedures put to the test and I will probably end up with about 600 demerits.   Oh well, it’s all good, you can’t fail out of the program for demerits, but you CAN get their eyes on you for good/bad behavior. 

            I had a haircutting party last night.   It was funny since I’ve never cut anyone’s hair before (except my own, all shaved), so I had fellow OT’s in here, saying stuff like “yeah Burckhard, just fade it a little bit”.   Heheheh, yeah sure, here ya go…..oops, don’t worry I can fix that………DOH!   Anyway, it’s nice to have a little fun sometimes.  The first 10 days, fun will be something that you are scared to have, trust me.  But as you get more and more comfortable and learn more about the system (which it is), you can at least relax a little bit.  Some members in my flight are having a hard time with everything and we are constantly trying to help them get ready for the upcoming weeks, however, there is only so much that you can do for someone before they have to just get it together and do it themselves.  I’ll be rooting for those individuals.

            Before I forget, for those non-prior service members who are coming here, please (no one told me) have your uniforms clipped, if you have some of them.  Go through, and clip off all little strings that could possibly show.  Tug on them a little to see if they will give anymore out, then use fingernail clippers and clip them off.  It is a long tedious process, but you’ll thank yourself later.  Also, gets the toes and heels of your boots shiny.  The shine will extend approx. 2-3 inches from the tip of your toes, almost until the lacing starts (not too big of deal exactly).  Get a few coats of “Kiwi” on there to save yourself and your flight-mates some hassle later.  They do NOT need to be mirrors, if they are, you will only get demerits for not helping those who didn’t shine their boots as much.  Ask some prior service members about the “Burning Technique”.  It takes practice, and you can screw your boot up, but it is a fast way to a shine.   These are just FYI’s, if you don’t have uniforms or boots, don’t worry, you’ll do all of this when ya get here. 

            Some basic info:  The dorms are nice, you clean them all day.  Not enough sleep here.  Chow is very decent, except you have to drink four glasses of water with EVERY meal and there is little or no time to eat.  Everything here is procedures.  There is a procedure for everything.  Learn your OI’s (book in your room), it is the key to freedom.  Learn to iron BEFORE you get here.  You shave everyday.  Bring cough drops, altoids, and some vitamin c hard candy (supplement for hard candy, cause you cant have any here).   BE flexible.  Be ready to learn.  Be ready to be confused.  Be ready to be directly corrected, in a non-sugarcoated way.  Be ready for 4 minute showers.  Do NOT have a 1000 yard stare.  Be ready for heat.  Be ready for sweat.  And most of all be ready for things to go wrong…………..they always will, so BE FLEXIBLE AND SMART.

That will be all, sir/ma’am.