The Smiths

The Smiths

I am through with Commissioned Officer's Training at Maxwell AFB. I finished on Friday. Graduation week had several neat activities.

On Monday morning, we had a 9/11 memorial. One of our classmates, Frank Rella, recounted his experience as a NYC paramedic during that day, and was quite moving. Afterwards, we marched out to the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) exercise--lots of tents. We had 8 flights. Four flights went to the Obstacle Course/Ropes Course/Climbing Wall, while the other four (mine included) were trained in setting up a tent for medical services, taking care of wounds, etc. We then switched for the next day. I also experienced MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). It was . . . . . . . . . interesting. If you are ever given a chance to eat one, stay FAR AWAY from the Beef Patty MRE. Anyway, my flight started out on Tuesday with the climbing wall. I made it up 3/4 of the way up, and then slipped. Bummer. It was probably 3 stories high. Next, while we awaited our turn at the Rapelling Tower, we started the obstacle course. It wasn't that hard. What was hard, however, was what had to be accomplished BEFORE we could rapell down the tower! Clipped in, mind you, we had to walk a telephone pole that was only attached at two ends--50+ feet in the air. I was scared. I was called a "little girl." I'm happy with that! It's quite freaky to walk on a piece of wood that's four stories up, and there is nothing in between! Afterwards, we were allowed to rapell down, which is fun. We then completed the Obstacle Course, and headed out to the Ropes Course. I've never done one before. For those in my family who remember me freaking out over crossing the swinging bridge at Fall Creek Falls, they can be proud of me. I was crossing wires and swinging from ropes that were 3 stories up. The zip line at the end was GREAT! I tried the Tarzan Yell, but wasn't very successful. Oh well . . . . .

On Tuesday night, we had an actual exercise. I was a patient. The whole field hospital was set up (think MASH, only updated and no Hot Lips Houlihand!), and we patients were sent in to receive care. The finale' was the "Mass Casualty Exercise," where the field hospital was inundated with "patients." It was interesting, and while not the real thing, closer than I've ever been, which gave me much to think about.

On the Wednesday morning, we marched back in time to change into our uniform for classes. However, my flight was lucky, because our Flight Commander's wife went into labor (1:20 minutes of labor), and he was unable to have class with us, which gave us time off! He did, however, manage to show up and give us our coins and accomplish some paperwork. That night, Jen and I experienced our first Dining Out. For the uninitiated, a Dining Out includes non-military guests (i.e., spouses), and is a semi-formal time for building esprit de corps. I was the Vice-President, which meant that Jen and I sat in the middle of the ballroom BY OURSELVES!!! It was fun. We had prime rib, potatoes, etc., all of which was very good. We had a grog bowl ("unleaded" for us teetotalers and "leaded" for those non-teetotalers!). It was quite the interesting day.

Thursday was spent doing administrative stuff. The family took a tour of the base, and we then had lunch together and went to the awards ceremony together. I told Sierra I probably wasn't getting any awards, and she wondered what the point of being invited was if I wasn't going to get anything! That night, my flight and family ate at the Miyako Japanese Steakhouse. It was excellent, and we enjoyed our last night together.

Friday was the graduation parade. It was 30 minutes long, and consisted of recognizing the top flight and the top grad. After that, we marched in review past the general and our family/friends. The girls said I looked sharp in my blues and white gloves. I don't know. We practiced hard enough that I HOPE we looked sharp!

Jen and the girls then left to pack up the hotel room while I changed and finished putting stuff together. At last, we were able to get out of town! It was a good feeling to see Maxwell AFB and Montgomery, AL, in my rearview mirror. I have to say--of all of the places I've been and seen, Montgomery ranks as one of the seediest, if not THE seediest.

So, now we are heading to WYO. More on that this weekend.