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0750 MDT
I'll start with some
Admin Notes Today.
Squadron Names
If memory serves the squadron names are:
A - Aggressors; B-
Barbarians; C - Cobras; D - Demons; E - Executioners; F -
Flying Tigers;
G - Guts; H - Hellcats; I -
Interceptors; J - Jaguars
I'll double check this over the next day or two.
Video Clips
Some folks are reporting they do not see the video clips
when the click on them. They only hear audio. I
don't know what that could be. The files are .mov
using QuickTime. Other than holding your Ctrl button
when you click on the link to ensure the window opens up on
top, I don't know what is preventing some computers from not
showing the video portion. If any computer savvy
person has solved the problem, let me know.
AOG ID Numbers
If you need your AOG ID number to register as a First
Time User on our
www.usafa.org, please do the following:
(1) Call (719) 472-0300 between 0730 MDT and 1630 MDT and
ask for it;
(2) E-mail
Marty.Marcolongo@aogusafa.org and write "Need AOG ID.
My name is John Doe. My basics's name is Michael Doe."
If you keep it that short, I can answer the requests faster.
Meaning of "Flight
Drill"/"Flight Time"
Remember that Squadrons are broken down into Flights.
So, if you read that there is "Flight Drill" that means the
Flights are practicing their marching. If you read
"Flight Time", it means the Flights have time to work on the
items the cadre think their individual flights need to work
on. "Flight Briefings" mean the Flights are getting
some type of briefing.
0900 MDT
A parent said he could access
them because saves them to his computer (with the right
click method I mentioned a few days ago) and he has
Quicktime on his computer. This could work for those
of you who get audio only. It's probably playing
through another media player on your computer.
Since it is a free download from APPLE, that may be an
option for some of you.
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/win.html.
1015 MDT
I heard someone ask how squadrons are chosen.
All I have ever heard is that the Academy has a computer
program they run that magically assigns cadets to squadrons.
So, if I was generated to be in Squadron 1 during the
Academic Year, that means I am assigned to Squadron A for
Basic.
I'm sure there are a lot of "computery" factors involved.
For example, as I thought about it, what if Squadron 20 had
a lot of cadets leave at the end of their thirdclass
(sophomore) year? That would mean that squadron would
be smaller than other squadrons during the next academic
year. Do they (1) increase the number of new
thirdclass cadets coming in; or do they (2) make up the
difference with new fourthclass cadets coming in?; or (3)
both?
If I can someone on the staff, I'll ask. But I think
I'll have to ask the personnel folks.
I'm going to try to get up to
the Terrazzo during the transition to lunch. I want to
see if they are forming up and marching to lunch.
1035 MDT
Still stuck at the desk.
On the schedule, PT stands for Physical Training.
Where they dress up in the gym gear (Shorts and USAFA
T-shirt), and they do their stretching, push-ups, sit-ups,
etc.
1310 MDT
A number of people have mentioned the Academy
site www.usafa.af.mil
has been down for a while. I'm getting the same thing
when I go there. I'm trying to track down there
webmaster contact info to report it.
1320 MDT
I got up to the Terrazzo in mid-briefing, so my access was
limited at first. But again I was able to find people
practicing drill. I'm sure by now you all are starting
to hate drill. But imagine what it's like for the
Basics. Aiiiiieeee! Squadron F again.
1340 MDT
You'll want to check back here later. I
went into Mitchell Hall (Dining Hall) for lunch and got some
photos in there.
1415 MDT
Here are basics coming out of Lectinars after Core Values
Training 2, just before lunch.
1430 MDT
Here's a Basic in Mitchell Hall giving me the
evil eye.
"Are you eyeballing me? Get your chin in and look
straight ahead, mister."
1500 MDT
Ok. Here is extreme verbosity.
Let's talk about Mitchell Hall.
The Squadrons form up before lunch over in front of
Fairchild Hall. When the music starts, they march past
the Chapel Wall (so the tourists can see), and then they
march in front of Sijan Hall towards Mitchell Hall.
When they get to Mitchell Hall, they alternate between
entering through the East or West doors.
So, Squadron A enters through West, B though east, and so
on.
When they begin approaching the doors, the squadrons will
often begin a chant. Sometimes it is Squadron
specific. Sometimes it is about the Class.
I'll put up a clip later so you can hear one.
Here are the basics in the back of a squadron entering
Mitchell Hall.
Once the basics get inside, they walk single file to the
back of Mitchell Hall (south side) and go to their Squadron
tables. I'll put a clip later showing them heading to
their tables.
Until then, here is a dark picture of Basics walking to the
tables. They are waving their caps as they continuing
chanting.
When they get to their
tables, the cadre sit at the Head of the Table. That
cadet is the Table Commandant. That's the person large
and in charge.
Here is a table. Nice red tablecloth for their class
color. The plates are turned down. When you sit
down, you turn your plate over.
The three basics at the end of the table are loadmasters.
They are in charge of pouring drinks before people take
seats. If basics are not pouring drinks, they are
studying knowledge or spouting off knowledge. I'll put
up a clip later.
Here are the Basics filling the glasses.
When everyone is at their tables, they will be directed over
the loudspeaker to take seats. Once they sit down, the
wait staff delivers the food to the loadmasters, who then
pass it to the Table Commandant. Once the cadre are
served, the platters are sent down basic by basic until
everyone is served.
1550 MDT
I just activated tomorrow's schedule.
We're definitely into the "Groundhog Day" syndrome.
Each day seems just like the one before. The big
change is "Teach SAMI Procedures" that occurs in the
evening. SAMI is translated as Saturday AM Inspection
or Saturday Morning Inspection.
Ah, the fond memories amongst graduates of prepping your
room for hours in order to receive the type of room
inspection you see in the movies. (White gloves and
all). Where else but an Academy can you be waiting at
1AM for a buffer to buff your floor to give it that
sparkling shine.
The Basics will be learning how their room should look and
what occurs during the inspection.
1555 MDT
Mitchell Hall Photos
1620 MDT
FYI - The Academy Website
www.usafa.af.mil seems
to be back up.
1645 MDT
Time for the Clips
Clip 034
(Cadets marching - 15 secs)
Clip 035
(Cadets marching - 14 secs)
Clip 036
(No faces - Wider view of Basics marching to tables in
Mitchell Hall - 10 secs)
Clip 037
(Close- up of Basics at Table. Shows person passing
the milk/Basics spouting knowledge - 25 secs)
Clip 038
(Giving knowledge - Sounds like Code of Conduct - 10 secs)
Clip 039
(More passing of liquids - wider angle - 11 secs)
Clip 049
(Core Values Quote by 3 cadets - 12 secs)
Clip 052
(More knowledge - 08 secs)
Clip 053
(More knowledge - 10 secs)
Clip 061
(Basics get to table and stow gear under seat - 14 secs)
Clip 067
(Some Barbarians approach their seats with their chant "Big
Bad Barbarians" - 46 secs)
Clip 070
(Boring wide angle of squadrons marching in front of Chapel
Wall on way to Mitchell Hall - 09 secs)
Clip 071
(Squadron B marching into Mitchell Hall - 17 secs)
Clip 072
(Squadron D - marching into Mitchell Hall - 27 secs)
Clip 073
(Squadron F marching into Mitchell Hall - 29 secs)
Clip 074
(Squadron H marching into Mitchell Hall - 28 secs)
Clip 075
(Squadron J marching into Mitchell Hall - 23 secs)
Clip 082
(Odd Clip. First, it sounds like Squadron G is
chanting, "Bloody Guts, Save the Day". Then, your hear
the Commander say "Group Ten Hut". Then "Group, At
Ease". Then "Group, Take Seats". - 44 secs)
Clip 083
(Sounds like Interceptors doing their chant - 18 secs)
1720 MDT
Rain and thunder again.
Phew! Wife and children, I'm coming home! Yes,
I'm bringing work home with me....
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