<p>I’ll still be around a few more days, but I didn’t want to wait until the last minute to post this in case you all had any questions before I left. I’m leaving early Tuesday to go to Europe with some classmates from the Academy and will not be back until after your BCT starts.</p>
<p>After BCT, please come back at some point and give your obervations of how it went, what you learned, and your overall perceptions of it, as I’d like to know how you all do.</p>
<p>As I mentioned in another thread, I’m planning on leaving the forums shortly after your BCT ends, due to my lack of direct connection with Academy life.</p>
<p>For those of you who wanted to know about Recognition, I decided against showing you the entire Recognition slideshow that I made. However, I significantly shortened it to about 5 minutes. Almost all of the contents of Recognition was removed, but I left two of the last events of it: Run to the Rock and the time surrounding prop and wings (excluding the actual ceremony). I want you to see how happy “my kids” were at the completion of it and how close they are to each other - some edivence that four degree year is something to be proud of. <a href=“http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7015728112682656702[/url]”>http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7015728112682656702</a></p>
<p>In the end… everything you go through at the Academy will be worth it… :)</p>
<p>Also, I made some pictures from my graduation available. There are only a few I put online, but I thought I’d share them. One of the pictures was taken at Olive Garden shortly before my commissioning ceremony with other cadets from all 4 classes (but predominently 4 degrees). Another one shows the pinata that some of my four degrees and good (upperclass) friends got for me (filled with gummy bears, confetti, and red glitter). I also have a picture of myself with the officer that commissioned me (the Dean, a Brig Gen) as well as the 2 people who pinned on my lieutenant bars: my dad and one of my former basic cadets (who chose me to pin on one of his 4 degree boards after BCT). <a href=“http://noordinarymoments.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album04[/url]”>http://noordinarymoments.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album04</a></p>
<p>UNcynical,
Thanks for posting your grad photos. All this time I had a suspicion as to your true identity, now you have confirmed it. I am the father of one of your BCT kids from last summer. You were "the source", as your dad put it, of some much appreciated photos of our cadet. Congratulations on your graduation, enjoy your trip to Europe and we wish you the best as you begin your AF career.</p>
<p>ciafad - It's such a small world! I definitely know who you (and your son) are. When I was packing my things before graduation, I actually came across a really nice note you wrote me. Thank you. :)
Also speaking of it being a small world, I be in Illinois for about a year (at Scott AFB) before going to pilot training.</p>
<p>Regarding the slideshow, I forgot to mention - It does have sound. Also, more importantly, due tot he quality of the version I uploaded, it's best viewed by its original size. Double size is okay, but be sure to click "smooth video." These controls are accessed by clicking the arrow in the lower right corner of the player.</p>
<p>I checked out ur facebook earlier today and was admiring all your fun grad pix. :) We're going to miss you UNcynical! Keep in touch whenever you can! Am I still an 'honorary' child? ;)</p>
<p>UN, you gotta be so proud. Just when you think life doesn't get any better than this, it does!! Congrats to you. You are awesome to "take care" of the kids & parents here. Safe travels & big adventures!! </p>
<p>I gotta say though, the pinata was dead already & still beating it? Poor pinata.... Nobody make her mad. Geez.</p>
<p>UN - your contribution to the CC AF forum has been wonderful. I will miss you candor. Thanks for sharing your pics. It is always nice to see the face of the person at the other end of the thread. Enjoy the next chapter of your AF life. AND A BIG THANK-YOU FOR SEARVING OUR COUNTRY!!!!</p>
<p>Uncynical,
I'm am writing using my daughters login, and want to thank you. The posts you have made helped the whole family know she is making the right decision. Over the past couple years she has been preparing heself for the marathon that is admission and more. I had concerns about the environment at the Academy becuase of the recent troubles. I contacted an old Commander who graduated with Gen. D. because of the changes she and Gen. Regni were instituting, and was assured it was the right moves for the Academy. I saw your clip from recognition and it reminded me of a letter we recieved from a doolie who just finished. The experiences she shared with our duaghter only strengthend her desire to attend. I know you and the other Red hats made an impression, and bonded the class of '09. Good Luck to you and enjoy Scott it is OK in the summer but really cold in the winter.
Potterfans Dad.</p>
<p>You should consider writing about your experiences. It is a shame that the only books available about cadet life are Kelly Flynn's and the like.</p>
<p>UNcynical,
That is so neat that you are going to Scott. When do you have to report? We used to live close to there about 14 years ago. Now we're about 2 hrs from there but we still travel to STL quite often. You should find plenty of things to do in STL. If you venture into the interior of IL, look us up and we'll show you around. If you need anything while you are in the state, let us know, we'd be glad to help. I'll forward our contact info to your father. Enjoy your 60 days of leave.......you've earned it.</p>
<p>Thank you for sharing your milestone with me and thank you for helping me to understand in some ways why my son chose the path he did. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you in your future endeavors and enjoy Europe! I will miss your threads--they gave me the unique insight into USAFA and why you kids are all so special. </p>
<p>It's been my pleasure to share the insight I have with the class of '10.</p>
<p>I do encourage all of you in '10 to come back here after BCT when you get a chance to reconnect, even just temporarily. Also keep in mind that as the months go by, more members of the class of '11 will be coming here and asking some of the same questions you did, so if you find some time (which I know you will have very little of), come back and help them a little. :)</p>
<p>I am leaving in about 4 hours (after getting a couple hours of sleep) for Europe and will not be back until the beginning of July, so this should be my last post.</p>
<p>My parting thoughts for you before you inprocess are as follows: Enjoy the time between now and then, come physically and mentally prepared, realize that this will be like nothing you've done before (unless you have prior military experience), understand how important a positive attitude and willingness to learn will be, acknowledge that your entire class is a team and will need to act like as such, and know you can all make it if you're truly dedicated to meeting the challenges that are laid before you. Also, don't forget the reasons why you decided to come and maintain the same motivation and genuine excitement you all possess right now (not just through BCT but through your entire time at the Academy).</p>
<p>Congratulations to you and best of luck to you in your Air Force career. (I suspect you won't need the luck, though.) </p>
<p>You have been one of the best sources of solid information not only for AFA, but also on the service academy experience. I hope my own daughter (no longer a plebe) who is at West Point develops the leadership you have demonstrated. You're already the example we can think of when we talk about the outstanding, committed graduates of service academies.</p>
<p>You'll like being at Scott. Just remember that St. Louis isn't the only city in the area. You could easily learn to love Chicago.</p>