TD-2 Down.

Before I start I want to state that I typed this on an iPhone. I apologize in advance for typos or short sentences, but its too tedious to be eloquent when typing on this thing. I was going to update the TD-0 post, but I'm too tired and that day was a blur. 

I will, however, take a moment to explain the the class structure. Class 13-07 is broken down into3 squadrons. I am in squadron 1, the Goldhawks. The hoyas and tigers are the other two. There are four flights in squadron 1. Imin flight 1-10. Much of our activities are done as a flight, including sitting in our flight room and memorizing stuff from a small book we must have on us (in a particular way depending on which uniform we have on- standardization is huge). We are always " in our knowledge" at the position of parade rest reading from these books when waiting outside the bathroom, for a briefing to begin, etc. it's futile sometimes though when you're that toted. I must have read the Air Force vision statement fifty times yesterday and retained about three words of it. Anyway, all our classroom instruction will take place in our flight room. 

 It's training day 2 now. Yesterday we woke up at 0430, and had to post outside our doors immediately. I don't really remember much else other than getting back at 2200 and having to type a memo before lights out. I sent it in at 2302, two minutes after lights out. I didn't catch anything for it today, but might at some point. Lesson learned- if you get something done after lights out, send it in at lights on at 0430 the next morning. Anyway, we did a physical fitness test today. I did well- too well I think. I wanted to not stand out too much. I ran the 1.5 mile run in 8:43. My fastest time ever. Not bad considering I hAve only slept for about 7 hours in the last two days. Hopefully there's room to improve.  After that we showered and changed into airman battle uniforms for the first time. We worked on marching for a few hours on the drill pad. I forget what we did after that, but I'm sure it included a ton of getting yelled at for doing stuff no one told you how to do. Had a breifi g from the Chaplin, and then another one from an MTI ( military training instructor, an enlisted drill sergeant). He was very good and entertaining. Much better that when he's watching us march someplace and sees someone mess up. 

Anyway, we got to eat our second meal in the dining hall for dinner. Too bad because MREs are actually pretty tasty. 

After dinner we were matched back to our flight rooms. We never walk anywhere outside- we only march as flights and only when escorted by an OTS upperclassman. If we can demonstrate the ability to march on our own we will earn that privilege in a few weeks. 

We lined up in the hall at attention by squadron and then had to call knowledge for a half hour. That's where an officer trainee (OT) sounds off and the squadron states whatever it was were supposed to yell. Today's objectives for knowledge was the Air Force mission, OTS mission and Air Force vision, along with a quote of the day. 

We're now back in our rooms and I'm trimming and burning threads off my ABUs. Demerits get handed out starting Monday and I want to minimize the number I get. Below is a picture.  

So far I'm finding this exciting, but its starting to wear everyone thin. The lack of sleep and constant activities is pretty demanding. 

TD-0 Complete.

It's about 10:30pm. I just got back to the room. I drove over from the hotel with another guy. We arrived at about 1. We checked in, got issued reflective belts, attaché cases, and camel backs. Once enough offs did that we were run, with luggage, to the dorms. When we got to the dorms we were greeted by yelling, and we had to quickly drop our stuff off. It's lights out so I gotta run but ill complete this entry when I have more time and a keyboard (this is hard on an iPhone. 

Flying instead of driving

During the three hour drive from where I live in Saratoga to my parents house in Pleasantville, NY I thought to myself "Why the hell did I think driving from NY to AL would be a good idea?"  I promptly called the unit's travel agency and booked a flight for Tuesday evening, as that was the cheapest flight (not that I'm paying for it).  I'll stay in a hotel in downtown Montgomery, AL on Tuesday night, get some breakfast with some future classmates, and show up at the base in the afternoon.

I spent a nice weekend at home with my family and friends, and drove back up to Saratoga on Monday (Memorial Day).  I've been having a problem with my cell phone; specifically, it sucks. While I was home I fixed that and upgraded from a flip phone to an iPhone 5.  This should enable me to share much more of my experiences since I will be partially cut off from the outside world.  Unlike basic training, officer trainees are allowed to have cell phones and use them after scheduled military training (0500 to 1700).  Since my gov't issued laptop wont have access to my Google account (which is how I write this blog) the cell phone should help.

Since I'm flying I have to fit everything into two bags, and an attache.  Come to think of it, even if I were driving I would have to do the same since everything has to be carried in one trip.
Believe it or not, everything I need is in that picture. Two sets ABUs, two sets short sleeve blues, 1 set service blues including service coat, 1 lightweight blues jacket, 4 sets physical training uniform, 1 set privilege uniform, 3 sets of civilian clothes, toiletries, all necessary footwear, and all accessories such as belts, nametags, etc.  I was surprised how it all fit into one large suitcase and a standard issue nylon duffle bag.

Leaving Town Today

I'm leaving Saratoga today.  I plan on spending a weekend with my family and friends down in Pleasantville before driving to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL.

Yesterday I completed outprocessing at Westover.  For those unfamiliar with the military, whenever you leave a base you have to outprocess.  This entails visiting a bunch of organizations on base such as finance, medical, family support, training, personnel (military version of HR), and probably a few more I forgot.  They make sure you have everything you need, and give you an envelope to bring with you to give to the next base you arrive at.  When you arrive at the new base you inprocess, which accomplishes the opposite of outprocessing.

I stopped at the base exchange and picked up the last of the uniform items I need.  I think, in total, I only spent about $300 on uniforms.  The unit picked up the other $1500.  I'll try to post a picture of all the stuff when I get home and lay it all out.  It's going to take some creative packing to arrange it in a way that allows me to carry everything at once.  Once I leave my car I wont see it again for several weeks; everything has to go in one trip.