Graduating Field Training, Maxwell 4 2009

Taps

Day is Done... Gone the Sun

From the Hills

From the Lakes

From the Sky

All is well... Safely Rest

God is Nigh

Training Day 1

- One of the Hardest things I ever did was to leave my beautiful family, just two weeks earlier my wife and I had our second child Conner James Maxwell Loden. Driving to Maxwell was nerve racking and the craziest roller-coaster ever. Upon arriving at the AirForce Base my friend Cadet Birstch and I took a little detour around trying to find the correct location. After finding the Richety Center, we soon found out that this was the final destination. As we both exit the car, not a second later the D.I. (Drill Instructor) was closing in fast! Yelling from 50 to 60 yards away, we understood him loud and clearly. " This ain't Camp Cupcake, get over here now, MOVE MOVE MOVE!!!!" We both picked up our 60lb packs, About half way to the D.I. and the Richety center, Cadet Birstch reliazed that he left his papers (Orders) on top of the car. This was a prime opportunity the D.I. was looking for.. A Single Cadet, leaving his Wingman. " Do you understand the importants of Wingmanship? Go back and help him! NOW! " Totally confused as wether to come of go or go and come, I stood still. Silently still. At this time the D.I. was like 10 paces away and I was like... ok its game face time. So I droped my bags and prepared to salute him. As my hand went up his mouth was blazing. "You do not salute me, I am not an Officer!" If I could understand him clearly from 50 yards I definenlty got an ear full 10 paces away. About this time my friend came running back with his papers and bag and he knew not to salute him from my mistake. So after another ear full we both line up for in-processing... at the position of attention we are told to read our manuel, get our money ready and not to move. Talk about confusion. Do you want us to get our manuels? Our Money? or Not to Move?... That was a reoccuring headache. (Being told three things and trying to figure out which one they actually want.) So during in-processing my passport photos were thrown away by accident. andI got reemed for that later on in the day. So... after a lot more yelling and no time to do anything.. I finally was told which flight I belonged to. It was Golf Flight Griffens. I placed my bags into my room and started to unload when other members of my flight started to fall in and report to our Field Training Unit Commander. Maj. Feil. After a few mishaps reporting in, because of nerves (8x) I finally reported in and had a few more minutes to unpack, get sheets and blankets, laundry bags, flash lights, ponchos, and everything else I would need. When I thought I had some time to sit down... hugh mistake.. No Smoking or Joking, Sitting, or laying down. 110% engaged all the time! So its about time now to have dinner and let me tell you.. When your mind is all a mess and chow is in front of you... you have no problem with eating. The only thing is you have 10min to eat and you better make sure everything is off your plate.