<p>Missmuff - it's getting close to starting the countdown for I-day.</p>
<p>"getting close"? St. Patty's Day is 100, if I counted right.</p>
<p>Uhh... 2010 that is a bunch of CRAP! 2011 PUT OUT! Are you kidding me? I know in 37 our upperclassmen were sooo proud of us!! Not to mention right now WE ARE THE BEST SQUAD IN THE WING! I got my training NCO's prop and wings! I don't understand where most of you are coming from. I'm sure we did just as much as you guys did, maybe even more.</p>
<p>You didn't read the whole thread, did you?</p>
<p>I know, gasdoc! it's finally getting into my head that I won't be here next year! I'm completely excited, but it hasn't really hit home until recently. :D
One tough year coming up...</p>
<p>Where most of us are coming from? We are watching and closely interacting with all of you during recognition, that's "where we're coming from". Mark40, you have no basis for those statements whatsoever. I can GUARANTEE that you did not do "even more" than we did. My squad had a 1 hour briefing that they slept through take the place of a one hour high intensity training session that we had last year. You courses were indoors and a lot different than last year (read: easier). 2011 was extremely disappointing as a whole, I still maintain that. It looks like every upperclass is "sooo" proud of you at the end because they are being nice after being jerks. </p>
<p>Wow, congrats to you, your Training NCO deserves more respect than any other upperclassmen! Oh wait... just because YOU may have "put out" doesn't mean your class has a good attitude or that they "put out". </p>
<p>I'm telling you from the perspective of an upperclassmen, having spoken to countless numbers of my classmates and other upperclassmen that as a whole, we (upperclass members of the wing) were disappointed to varying degrees with your performance.</p>
<p>Still you are done and what's done is done. Be happy that you have your prop and wings, and try not to take your priveledges for granted.</p>
<p>haha ok</p>
<p>I guess somebody is a little bitter about not being greeted on the terrazo.</p>
<p>That's the problem with most cadets. You give them a little power and they think they are on top of the world. </p>
<p>But anyways, like you said, what's done is done. We may have been disappointing, or not "good enough" for your standards, but at least we won't be known as the class who cheated...</p>
<p>Mark40, you obviously haven't read what I've been reading. Way to go. I'm not bitter about not being greeted on the t-zo. I'm disappointed in your poor performance and I'm disappointed that in the future I may have to serve and fight next to some pretty mediocre individuals. At least you aren't as bad as '08, you got that going for you.</p>
<p>And again, it's easy for you, a fourth class cadet who just got destroyed for 3 days, to say that I'm letting the "power" get to my head...but I'm really not. I'm stating the facts, and they are that your class let down many upperclassmen during recognition. And yes, that is a general thing for your ENTIRE class. </p>
<p>As far as the cheating goes, THAT cannot be attributed to our entire class, any way you look at it. The actions of a tiny minority do not represent the entire class. </p>
<p>The majority of your class (at least in my squad and a couple other squads I am aware of) performed mediocre at best in recognition. They aren't just my standards, they are the standards of the Air Force Academy. When 100% of your four degrees fail the stand up MISERABLY, something is wrong.</p>
<p>I guess someone is a little bitter that all upperclassmen don't bow at the waist when you walk past now because you now have a pair of prop and wings.</p>
<p>Missmuff - you and the rest of 2012 will make us equally proud. Funny but I think redhead started last year's countdown as early as 6 to 7 months out but all of sudden I-day, BCT, Acceptance Day, Parent's Weekend, the entire football season, Thanksgiving break, the first semester, Christmas break, 100s night, and Recognition are in the rear view mirror. I remember how impressed I was meeting Hornet and G4C last year and part of me cannot believe that my appointee from last year's CC orientation has reached this milestone already. In the end time flies though there will always be days it may not seem that way.</p>
<p>mark40:</p>
<p>If you EVER call me and my classmates cheaters again, you will regret it. Don't stoop down to the level of attributing scandals to an entire class. It doesn't befit anyone in the military, let alone the Academy, to sink down to that level.</p>
<p>On a happier note, it's time to start preparation for 2012. I'm definitely looking forward to basic training...if any of you 2012ers end up in Interceptors C-flight...get your game faces on, cause it'll one heck of a ride. ;)</p>
<p>Demons A-Flight here. I'll be here waiting on I-Day!</p>
<p>i'll be waiting anxiously for yall ;-)</p>
<p>im ready to be a 4* instead of a 4.5* as some call it here =p</p>
<p>Wow, mark40. Considering how immature your statements are, it's hard to believe you just completed Recognition, a tradition that makes you take several steps back to objectively look at what you've committed yourself to and something that makes you grow up a little more. Great respresentation, I'd say.</p>
<p>Anyway, 2012-- definitely start preparing right now. It's never too early. You'll definitely be able to say that you were glad to start preparing early. Run in your boots, break them in... I'm glad I did. I didn't get a single blister. Just do a lot of things that deal with endurance more than strength. A lot of stuff here (especially the PFT) doesn't really deal with strength, but it deals primarily with endurance and how long you can just go.</p>
<p>and with mark40s statements, our point is proven. some people do not understand the purpose of freshman year or recognition, and probably never will.</p>
<p>yikes, looks like the cadre are as excited as prospective basics! :)</p>
<p>truly, i know i sound like a broken record, but i cannot even believe orientation is almost here with i-day just around the corner! it seems like yesterday was the first day of high school.</p>
<p>Just make sure you keep that enthusiasm. Through basic, through the freshman year and beyond. Though it may seem as if the cadre are out to get you, they definitely love to see enthusiasm, and you'll be that much better off.</p>
<p>missmuff-- Orientation was one of my favorite moments ever. Enjoy it. And I agree with Patriot, keep the enthusiasm high. It's what will get you through this place. Cynicism is so rampant that it's easy to get sucked in and become one of the bitter ones. I'm cynical at times, I'll admit that. But nearly every night when I'm in my bed falling asleep, I know I wouldn't be anywhere else.</p>
<p>That is so true about enthusiasm and cynicism, rtb. Sometimes I would catch myself hating this place, but then realize the extraordinary things I've been able to do and what I can do in the future.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>More than anything else, I'd say Recognition was a humbling experience, especially after theme rooms. I don't want to say any more and spoil things for 2012, but Friday night definitely involved some reflection and recommitment. I don't understand, mark...</p>
<p>Anyway, time really does fly. I can remember seeing our current three degrees at the orientation dinner last year, still grinning from ear to ear from having finished Recognition and being able to wear civies off base. I can remember seeing four degree life in April and thinking how awesome it would be. Now, all of a sudden, post-Recognition life is here. I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt as I type this, and when I get up to go to class tomorrow, I'll being walking and talking with my backpack on my shoulders. After 261 days, that is cool. And equally as amazing, 2011 is already 18.4% of the way to graduation, according to the ever-popular Donut of Misery. It's absolutely incredible how fast this year has gone. 2012, keep your chin up even when it gets rough: it's all worth it, and the end will be here before you know it.</p>
<p>I still can't believe it's over.</p>
<p>To address mark40's nonsense:
Many 4 digs met my standards and expectations. Some excelled and others pushed themselves to their limits (so much so that we were worried they might injure themselves). However, there were those who failed to prove their worth. Some did not push themselves. Others displayed poor attitudes. I never would expect to hear a 4 dig backtalk during recognition! Some violated direct orders from our AOC. That is simply unacceptible. Then, I had another squad's 4 digs break before I could even start an exercise. They could (or more likely would) not get their feet off the ground to start flutter kicks...rediculous.</p>
<p>2010 earned our wings...and we ran out some of those who did not. One poor 4 dig, last year, was trained by my class. We did not want him here, and he did leave. All three upperclasses worked hard to ensure your class was challenged. Perhaps you noticed the upperclassmen leading the exercises during training sessions? Maybe you realized that we went to bed later and woke up earlier than you...? Several of my squadmates literally had the snot kicked out of them (about a dozen times) just to present a more realistic theme room. They were bruised and bleeding by the time their theme room was done...all to give your class a better presentation.</p>
<p>Power-hungry?! Do you even realize who you are talking about? CC members went around giving candy to basics and 4 digs, to make their days a little better. We host appointees and plan dinners to help future cadets get a better idea of USAFA.<br>
...and you know what...I avoided correcting a lot of 4 digs this year, and I regret it. I helped to set low expectations and lull 4 digs into an attitude of accepting mediocre performance. The upperclassmen who really make a difference are the ones who set and enforce high expectations. Maybe you will understand this one day.</p>