23 Jul - 24 Jul - Knowledge Bowl and Transition to Blue Thunder

Golf Flight is still going strong, despite a very busy week (per usual). On Tuesday and Wednesday, we took turns participating in a series of leadership exercises - our last graded measurements of COT! By the time we reached Tuesday afternoon, we were pretty pooped, as you can see.

Lt Yourisen, Lt Paciello, Lt Pezel, and Capt Hartley - catching some sleep when they can 

Wednesday afternoon we had a COT Knowledge Bowl. Each flight selected someone to represent them - Capt Bourne did a great job!

Capt Bourne representing Golf Flight in the COT Knowledge Bowl

After the Knowledge Bowl on Tuesday afternoon, we distributed MRE's for Blue Thunder (a series of field exercises from Thursday to Friday). Since we would be off site with no chow hall, these beauties would be breakfast and lunch. And let me tell you, there is nothing like spaghetti and meatballs for breakfast at 0500. (Ew)

Capt Brockman, our logistics officer, distributing our MRE's for Blue Thunder

Mmmm... MRE's

On Wednesday afternoon, we were scheduled for a drill competition. Golf Flight was one of the 9 flights selected (out of over 20 flights) to compete! On our way out to the drill pad, there was another surprise Alabama rain shower that had us all running for cover.

Taking cover during a sudden Alabama rainstorm

Soaked but still having fun!

A rock, paper, scissors competition between Capt Galle and Lt Salmon

After dinner, we loaded up our big green military-issue duffle bags with everything that we would need for Blue Thunder.

Capt Key and Lt Dueitt - these duffel bags are as big as we are!

We waited outside for the other flights to gather up. Silliness ensued.

Capt Key's version of "Embrace the suck."

Lovely ladies of Golf Flight - Lt Paciello, Capt Hartley, Lt Bach, Capt Brockman, Lt Pezel, Capt Turner, and Lt Dueitt

Lt Paciello and Capt Bourne goofing off

Finally, we lined up and marched out! We had about a mile walk to the site where we would spend the night and participate in the different field exercises. These bags get pretty heavy!

All lined up and ready to march to Blue Thunder!

Marching!

Finally, we made it to the site. After a quick briefing from the staff, we found our tents and got settled. These "tents" are pretty large structures with a cement foundation and air conditioning - not too shabby! We had 16 people to each tent - gals only or guys only. We had wooden bunk beds to sleep on, upon which we placed our PT mats and sleeping bags. Then, off to sleep in order to wake up for a full day on Thursday!

We made it to Blue Thunder!