0430 wake up, and still hurting. Today was the first day of formal PT (Physical Training) – it alternates everyday between running and strength training. Today was the run. I went out with my flight and formed up with them. The first thing the instructor announces is for anyone with a waiver or who can’t participate to fall in behind him. I did along with a few others, and we were sent to the on-campus clinic. The Sergeant who saw me was not allowed to prescribe anything serious – I wanted a medrol dose pack of steroids, but all he gave me was some Naproxen. He said to try that along with a week-long waiver from marching and exercising, and we’ll see how it goes.
I rejoined my flight for breakfast, after which the two WORST days of COT began. This is academic cram week. Our schedule for the next two days is NINE hours of lectures each day with a one hour break for lunch. 0800 until 1800. BORING…
But Tuesday was my flight leader day. I don’t recall a more stressful day in my entire life. I have to march everyone everywhere, and there is always an officer there, correcting EVERY mistake. The more nervous and anxious and uptight I got, the more I forget the proper verbiage and the more they yell and correct you. And if you give the wrong command, you will march your entire flight into the bushes. We watched someone do it! No joke!
I also have to run the classroom. When the Flt/CC walks in, I am at the front and yell, “Flight, Tench-hut!” Not “Class”; not “Room” – those are for DIFFERENT times. And I better get it right. The Flt/CC then walks up to the front, I “left face” to him, salute, and say, “SIR, Papa Flight is ready for inspection” – not “prepared for”… Then he gets up in my grill, looks me up and down, and says, “POST” – I turn to the front in a crisp “right face”, and he checks my back. All this time, the class (shaped in a U) is facing the walls. He then goes and inspects everyone’s front. As he turns the corner back to the front – and EXACTLY BEFORE he turns the corner – I say, “One pace foreword, MARCH!” – everyone takes a pace foreword and he inspects their backs. When he’s done, he says, “Be seated”. You sit, but at attention – until he says, “At ease.”
If I get one word, we do it again. Oy. After that class, each subsequent class begins the same, but without the inspection. And all of this with a spasming back. HATED the day.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Day 8
Uh oh.
Last night I went to bed with my back hurting a little bit. I figured I needed a good night’s rest. The flight decided that the optional 5K run, to be held this morning at 0500, would be mandatory for the whole flight (it would really good to the staff). They pounded on our door at 0445, and when I moved in bed I had a piercing pain shoot up from my lower back. I got out of bed slowly and it was SO painful. But I wasn’t going to let everyone down. It turnes out there is a girl in the flight who hurt her ankle, so we decided to sit it out and be there to cheer them on. When the runners came back, Major Haigh (our flight commander) who had run with them, asked me if I would say a prayer on behalf of Memorial Day. I had ten seconds to think. I said, “This country was not purchased with money, but with the blood of the brave men and women of the US Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedom. Lord, may we always serve as a source of pride to their names and of dignity to their memories.”
We went to breakfast, and I was pretty miserable - there was no one to go see unless I went to the emergency room in Montgomery. I tried to relax as much as I could, I started taking lots of Advil, iced it, laid on my back, etc. Nothing really helped. That was how I spent Memorial Day.
Last night I went to bed with my back hurting a little bit. I figured I needed a good night’s rest. The flight decided that the optional 5K run, to be held this morning at 0500, would be mandatory for the whole flight (it would really good to the staff). They pounded on our door at 0445, and when I moved in bed I had a piercing pain shoot up from my lower back. I got out of bed slowly and it was SO painful. But I wasn’t going to let everyone down. It turnes out there is a girl in the flight who hurt her ankle, so we decided to sit it out and be there to cheer them on. When the runners came back, Major Haigh (our flight commander) who had run with them, asked me if I would say a prayer on behalf of Memorial Day. I had ten seconds to think. I said, “This country was not purchased with money, but with the blood of the brave men and women of the US Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedom. Lord, may we always serve as a source of pride to their names and of dignity to their memories.”
We went to breakfast, and I was pretty miserable - there was no one to go see unless I went to the emergency room in Montgomery. I tried to relax as much as I could, I started taking lots of Advil, iced it, laid on my back, etc. Nothing really helped. That was how I spent Memorial Day.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Day 7
It’s Sunday, and everyone is just totally relaxed. Well, except for the fact that someone pounded on our door at 0555, telling us that there was a screw-up and our DP (Dining Priority) was not at 0721 but 0621. We jumped up and out and marched to the DFAC (Dining Facility) only to find out that our student leadership screwed up, and in fact it was at 0721. But we were already there, so we had to stay in line for an hour. Nice.
We spent the rest of the day reading, studying and drilling, drilling, and more drilling. This week is the tattoo ceremony wherein we are give our “Driver’s License,” in essence permission to march as a flight without the supervision of out flight commander. In addition, I will be the flight leader on Monday (the one who calls all the commands and leads the flight, during instruction, to attention) and I need the practice. We spent hours marching around the practice area – it was awesome. We look TIGHT!
I also wrote our flight’s cheer. Remember, we are Papa Flight and our entire class is COT 10-04:
Pappa Smurf is old and short
Fat and cute and blue
Pappa John makes pizza pies
Delivered fresh to you
Pappa Bear left porridge that was
Way too hot to chew
(yelling)
And Pappa Flight rules 10-04
We’re Air Force, through and through
(flight leader): WHO’S YOUR DADDY?
(flight): PAPA FLIGHT!
We spent the rest of the day reading, studying and drilling, drilling, and more drilling. This week is the tattoo ceremony wherein we are give our “Driver’s License,” in essence permission to march as a flight without the supervision of out flight commander. In addition, I will be the flight leader on Monday (the one who calls all the commands and leads the flight, during instruction, to attention) and I need the practice. We spent hours marching around the practice area – it was awesome. We look TIGHT!
I also wrote our flight’s cheer. Remember, we are Papa Flight and our entire class is COT 10-04:
Pappa Smurf is old and short
Fat and cute and blue
Pappa John makes pizza pies
Delivered fresh to you
Pappa Bear left porridge that was
Way too hot to chew
(yelling)
And Pappa Flight rules 10-04
We’re Air Force, through and through
(flight leader): WHO’S YOUR DADDY?
(flight): PAPA FLIGHT!
Day 5/6
Today was a big day. Eligibility in the Air Force officer corps requires, among many other things, a certain level of physical fitness. While I had already passed my test in March (see the first blog entry), COT requires one at the end of the program. However, they administer one at the beginning, called a PTB (physical test baseline), with the dual goals of a) seeing who needs a LOT more work over the next 5 weeks, and b) determining a baseline from which fitness goals can be set. Unfortunately, I pretty much stopped working out after Pesach, when I got a bad bout of gout (Hey, that rhymes!). I was dreading this test! 0430 I was up and by 0445 we were downstairs formed up with our mats and flashlights, ready to march out to the track.
It began with a short warm up (more on that later). We were each paired with a member of our neighboring flight, Oscar. My partner, 2nd Lt Tate, held my legs while I did my sit ups. Unfortunately, the lack of working out showed, and I only did 35 (I had been up to 55). Then we did push ups, and once again, I fell below my previous number, doing 35 instead of 45. Then it was time to run. Each pair was made up of a faster runner and slower. Guess which one I was? My job was to cheer on and shout out the lap times to my partner. That boy was FAST. He did the 1.5 miles (six laps) in 9:40 minutes. Then it was my turn. I had never run on a track in my life. I decided to take it easy for the first few laps, to see how things would develop. Amazingly, I was barely breathing hard by the fourth lap. By the time I rounded the final turn on the sixth lap, I decided to go all out and sprint as fast as I could. I ended up finishing at 13:25, 30 seconds faster than my last official test in March. Woohoo!
The rest of the day consisted of classes, and with me running back and forth to the chaplain’s office and the Sqaudron Commander’s office, trying to make final Shabbos arrangements. It turns out there is a Conservative kid here (a JAG) who was going into Montgomery on Saturday for services, and wanted to join me on Friday night, as well.
Friday afternoon, I was given permission to go eat dinner earlier than my flight. The flight had a DP (Dining Priority) of 1821 (6:21 pm for you civilians), which meant realistically getting into the Dining Hall by 1830 and out by 1850. Shabbos was starting at 1927, and I needed to shower, shave, get my stuff together, and pick up the other guy at his dorm. I was allowed to go eat at 1800 along with my roommate (did I mention that, unless you have a waiver, you are never allowed to walk anywhere without a wingman?) and got to my room in time to get ready.
I had a spectacular Shabbos. I had a waiver to go to the RAC (religious accommodation room) without a wingman – but my roommate, the LDS (Mormon fellow) said he wanted to go with me. I got my food stuff together (remember that I had already eaten dinner, and there is no place to really prepare food there. This was more of a symbolic dinner) and we detailed to the other dorm to get the other Jewish kid, and from there to the RAC. When we got there, my roommate (2nd Lt Coombs) realized he couldn’t go home alone – so he stayed.
I expected to do a quick davening, followed by Kiddush, Hamotzi, a little something to eat, and that would be it. Well, we walk into the devotional room, take our siddurs, and this Conservative kid says, “Yedid Nefesh?” Oh, well. I figured this is why I am chaplain. I am here to take care of the spiritual needs of the airmen, and he clearly wanted to have a “Shabbat Experience.” We did a beautiful Kabbalas Shabbos, singing everything, followed by a slightly quicker Maariv. We sand Shalom Eleichem, Eishes Chayil, I projected through the ether a Bracha to my boys, made Kiddush and Hamotzi on Matza, and we feasted on tuna and Matza and NutriGrain bars. We sang Zemiros, I explained all of this to my roommate – and we ended up being there for over two hours. Awesome.
For the rest of the day, my roommate was simply unbelievable. Throughout the day, knowing that I was unable to do things like turn on or off lights or pay for my meals, he didn’t hesitate to step up—often anticipatorily—to help me out. For example, I forgot my cell phone alarm was still set for 0600. When it went off on Saturday, he jumped out of bed to turn it off, knowing I could not, and did so graciously. When a fellow flight member entered our room to get my haircut clippers, he immediately stopped what he was doing to get them from my drawer, anticipating what could have been an uncomfortable pause/discussion about why I could not get the clippers out. For the three meals during the day, he unhesitatingly paid for my meals and signed me in. There are countless such examples that occurred throughout the day. Finally, at 2015, when he could have been doing anything he wanted, he volunteered to detail with me back to the RAC
I had a relaxing Shacharis in my room, and after lunch, Coombs and I ended up having a 4 ½ hour discussion about Judaism and Mormonism. It was just fabulous. I don’t remember the last Shabbos I enjoyed so much. Havdalah brought Shabbos to an end, but the long Memorial Day weekend had just begun!
It began with a short warm up (more on that later). We were each paired with a member of our neighboring flight, Oscar. My partner, 2nd Lt Tate, held my legs while I did my sit ups. Unfortunately, the lack of working out showed, and I only did 35 (I had been up to 55). Then we did push ups, and once again, I fell below my previous number, doing 35 instead of 45. Then it was time to run. Each pair was made up of a faster runner and slower. Guess which one I was? My job was to cheer on and shout out the lap times to my partner. That boy was FAST. He did the 1.5 miles (six laps) in 9:40 minutes. Then it was my turn. I had never run on a track in my life. I decided to take it easy for the first few laps, to see how things would develop. Amazingly, I was barely breathing hard by the fourth lap. By the time I rounded the final turn on the sixth lap, I decided to go all out and sprint as fast as I could. I ended up finishing at 13:25, 30 seconds faster than my last official test in March. Woohoo!
The rest of the day consisted of classes, and with me running back and forth to the chaplain’s office and the Sqaudron Commander’s office, trying to make final Shabbos arrangements. It turns out there is a Conservative kid here (a JAG) who was going into Montgomery on Saturday for services, and wanted to join me on Friday night, as well.
Friday afternoon, I was given permission to go eat dinner earlier than my flight. The flight had a DP (Dining Priority) of 1821 (6:21 pm for you civilians), which meant realistically getting into the Dining Hall by 1830 and out by 1850. Shabbos was starting at 1927, and I needed to shower, shave, get my stuff together, and pick up the other guy at his dorm. I was allowed to go eat at 1800 along with my roommate (did I mention that, unless you have a waiver, you are never allowed to walk anywhere without a wingman?) and got to my room in time to get ready.
I had a spectacular Shabbos. I had a waiver to go to the RAC (religious accommodation room) without a wingman – but my roommate, the LDS (Mormon fellow) said he wanted to go with me. I got my food stuff together (remember that I had already eaten dinner, and there is no place to really prepare food there. This was more of a symbolic dinner) and we detailed to the other dorm to get the other Jewish kid, and from there to the RAC. When we got there, my roommate (2nd Lt Coombs) realized he couldn’t go home alone – so he stayed.
I expected to do a quick davening, followed by Kiddush, Hamotzi, a little something to eat, and that would be it. Well, we walk into the devotional room, take our siddurs, and this Conservative kid says, “Yedid Nefesh?” Oh, well. I figured this is why I am chaplain. I am here to take care of the spiritual needs of the airmen, and he clearly wanted to have a “Shabbat Experience.” We did a beautiful Kabbalas Shabbos, singing everything, followed by a slightly quicker Maariv. We sand Shalom Eleichem, Eishes Chayil, I projected through the ether a Bracha to my boys, made Kiddush and Hamotzi on Matza, and we feasted on tuna and Matza and NutriGrain bars. We sang Zemiros, I explained all of this to my roommate – and we ended up being there for over two hours. Awesome.
For the rest of the day, my roommate was simply unbelievable. Throughout the day, knowing that I was unable to do things like turn on or off lights or pay for my meals, he didn’t hesitate to step up—often anticipatorily—to help me out. For example, I forgot my cell phone alarm was still set for 0600. When it went off on Saturday, he jumped out of bed to turn it off, knowing I could not, and did so graciously. When a fellow flight member entered our room to get my haircut clippers, he immediately stopped what he was doing to get them from my drawer, anticipating what could have been an uncomfortable pause/discussion about why I could not get the clippers out. For the three meals during the day, he unhesitatingly paid for my meals and signed me in. There are countless such examples that occurred throughout the day. Finally, at 2015, when he could have been doing anything he wanted, he volunteered to detail with me back to the RAC
I had a relaxing Shacharis in my room, and after lunch, Coombs and I ended up having a 4 ½ hour discussion about Judaism and Mormonism. It was just fabulous. I don’t remember the last Shabbos I enjoyed so much. Havdalah brought Shabbos to an end, but the long Memorial Day weekend had just begun!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Day 4
Drilled again from 0500 until 0730. Went to breakfast where I was told by a captain that he was working on getting me kosher meals. After breakfast I was forming up and didn’t salute a passing captain, who turned around and tore me a new one. I learned the first lesson of military answers. Always say loudly, “SIR, NO EXCUSES.” They NEVER want to hear “I’m sorry” (they don’t care) and they certainly don’t want to hear a reason.
Today we began the serious acedemic part of the program. We were given thousands of pages of reading material and told that we would be taught in the next 4+ weeks what they normaly teach ROTC and BOT (Basic Officer Training) in 3-6 months. We would be “drinking from a fire house,” as our Flight Commander (Flt/CC) Major Haigh likes to say.
I went to speak to the chaplain assigned to COT to discuss my issues – kosher, Shabbos, access to the RAC to daven, etc. Wonderful man.
Ate dinner, did homework, and began worrying about the PT benchmark test tomorrow…
Today we began the serious acedemic part of the program. We were given thousands of pages of reading material and told that we would be taught in the next 4+ weeks what they normaly teach ROTC and BOT (Basic Officer Training) in 3-6 months. We would be “drinking from a fire house,” as our Flight Commander (Flt/CC) Major Haigh likes to say.
I went to speak to the chaplain assigned to COT to discuss my issues – kosher, Shabbos, access to the RAC to daven, etc. Wonderful man.
Ate dinner, did homework, and began worrying about the PT benchmark test tomorrow…
My desk, with my government-issued laptop and my personal commissary.
My bed (no one uses the top - it's just two to a room with two bunk beds...)
BOT cadets standing in formation.
BOT cadets marching in formation. We look sort of like that, but not as crisp yet, and not in our service uniforms (we wear ABUs, or fatigues).
Day 3
My new official wake up time is 0430. Yeah. We were in the hallway and ready to fall in at 0450 and went downstairs where we were met by a screaming drill instructor, wanting to know why we were dragging. We began learning the first elements of drilling. Drilling is the process of marching by which you efficiently move large numbers of people from one place to another. It is not NEARLY as easy as it looks! And it’s that much harder at 0515! We drilled for an hour and a half, and then went to breakfast. Meals are done – the first week, at least – in what’s called tight meals. That means that after you get your tray, there is a very specific way you have to file to the table. At the table, there are positions 1, 2, 3 and 4. You stand at attention until 4 says, “Be seated.” 2 and 3 pass a napkin to 1 and 4, everyone waits until everyone has had a chance to say a prayer, then 4 says, “Enjoy your meal.” Then you can eat. But you cannot talk. Or look around. You can only sit on the front 2/3 of the chair, with your feet flat in the ground and your elbows off the table. Then the race begins. The first two to finish get up and leave, and the last two have to collect the dirty plates and trays and carry them to the tray carriers. Very relaxing.
I have discovered that the yogurt here is kosher, as are the pre-packaged cereals. They also have fruit and NutriGrain bars, so I’m golden. Lunch and dinner are tuna (which I bring), yogurt, fruit, NutriGrain bars, and an occasional treat of an ice cream cone. How long is this program, again? Oh, did I mention that everyone MUST drink three glasses of water at every meal?
We went to the auditorium and were addressed by the lead Phys Ed (PT) instructor. He explaied what would be expected of us on Friday when we do our benchmark physical test (push-ups, sit ups, and 1.5 mile run). We then had a class in Customs and Courtesies (saluting, etc.) followed by a class in uniforms. I knew I had 10 minutes until the next activity, so I rushed up to the RAC and davened real fast, making it down just in time for us to march out for more drilling lesson, this time Directional Turning.
Following lunch, we all returned to the auditorium, where we were to meet our flight commanders. A word about the structure will be helpful. All of us are a class (Class 10-04). The class is divided into three squadrons (Falcons, Guardians, and Griffins). The squadrons are broken into flights, made up of 15-16 students. They are named by the alphabet, so the entire Class is made up of 19 flights, Alpha through Sierra. I am in Griffin squadron(YES! Gryffindor!! The Sorting Hat rules!!!!) and in Papa flight. Each flight has a Flight Commander (Flt/CC), who is an officer and a member of the staff. Yeah, the staff that has been screaming at us since we got here. They teach their flight all of their small classes (as opposed to the large auditorium classes) and he is their “den father,” in essence.
The program commander invited all of the Flt/CCs to come up front, and after introducing each one and their accomplishments, he announced, “Commanders, meet your flights” at which point they all JUMPED forward screaming, “Grab your things, Get up, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!” We were FREAKING OUT! In the midst of all this, a major walks through the madness and calmly and quietly says, “As you were – wait until all of these people leave.” No screaming, no yelling. What was going on?
When the auditorium emptied, he told us to follow him, and we walked upstairs to our flight room (our class room), which happened to be around the corner from the RAC where I daven each morning. When we got in, he asked us, “What is the difference between me and everyone else you saw down there?” We all said he wasn’t screaming and yelling. He explained that while he respects his colleagues, he disagrees with their approuch. He believes that this is primarily an academic program, and you don’t learn when you are scared. Rather, he wants us to do the right thing and perfrom out of a sense of pride and respect rather than fear. I literally thanked God.
We then divided out the jobs for the flight. The main person is the FOIC (flight officer in charge) – he is the flight’s president, in essence. I am one of the only two captains, but I am not eligible because chaplains are not allowed any leadership roles. We are advisors, not leaders. Additionally, we have education officers, saftey officers, drill officers, social officers… you get the idea. I am the Standardization Officer. Everything we do here has to look exactly the same. The books on our desks must be EXACTELY the same. Even the pens must be in the same place, and all facing the same direction. When we march with our flashlights on our hydration packs, they must face the same direction. It is my job to ensure that everything we do is exactly uniform.
After dinner, we went back to the dorm. From this point forward, once we leave our dorms in the morning, we are not allowed back until after dinner. We had a flight meeting, and I was asleep by 2330.
I have discovered that the yogurt here is kosher, as are the pre-packaged cereals. They also have fruit and NutriGrain bars, so I’m golden. Lunch and dinner are tuna (which I bring), yogurt, fruit, NutriGrain bars, and an occasional treat of an ice cream cone. How long is this program, again? Oh, did I mention that everyone MUST drink three glasses of water at every meal?
We went to the auditorium and were addressed by the lead Phys Ed (PT) instructor. He explaied what would be expected of us on Friday when we do our benchmark physical test (push-ups, sit ups, and 1.5 mile run). We then had a class in Customs and Courtesies (saluting, etc.) followed by a class in uniforms. I knew I had 10 minutes until the next activity, so I rushed up to the RAC and davened real fast, making it down just in time for us to march out for more drilling lesson, this time Directional Turning.
Following lunch, we all returned to the auditorium, where we were to meet our flight commanders. A word about the structure will be helpful. All of us are a class (Class 10-04). The class is divided into three squadrons (Falcons, Guardians, and Griffins). The squadrons are broken into flights, made up of 15-16 students. They are named by the alphabet, so the entire Class is made up of 19 flights, Alpha through Sierra. I am in Griffin squadron(YES! Gryffindor!! The Sorting Hat rules!!!!) and in Papa flight. Each flight has a Flight Commander (Flt/CC), who is an officer and a member of the staff. Yeah, the staff that has been screaming at us since we got here. They teach their flight all of their small classes (as opposed to the large auditorium classes) and he is their “den father,” in essence.
The program commander invited all of the Flt/CCs to come up front, and after introducing each one and their accomplishments, he announced, “Commanders, meet your flights” at which point they all JUMPED forward screaming, “Grab your things, Get up, MOVE, MOVE, MOVE!” We were FREAKING OUT! In the midst of all this, a major walks through the madness and calmly and quietly says, “As you were – wait until all of these people leave.” No screaming, no yelling. What was going on?
When the auditorium emptied, he told us to follow him, and we walked upstairs to our flight room (our class room), which happened to be around the corner from the RAC where I daven each morning. When we got in, he asked us, “What is the difference between me and everyone else you saw down there?” We all said he wasn’t screaming and yelling. He explained that while he respects his colleagues, he disagrees with their approuch. He believes that this is primarily an academic program, and you don’t learn when you are scared. Rather, he wants us to do the right thing and perfrom out of a sense of pride and respect rather than fear. I literally thanked God.
We then divided out the jobs for the flight. The main person is the FOIC (flight officer in charge) – he is the flight’s president, in essence. I am one of the only two captains, but I am not eligible because chaplains are not allowed any leadership roles. We are advisors, not leaders. Additionally, we have education officers, saftey officers, drill officers, social officers… you get the idea. I am the Standardization Officer. Everything we do here has to look exactly the same. The books on our desks must be EXACTELY the same. Even the pens must be in the same place, and all facing the same direction. When we march with our flashlights on our hydration packs, they must face the same direction. It is my job to ensure that everything we do is exactly uniform.
After dinner, we went back to the dorm. From this point forward, once we leave our dorms in the morning, we are not allowed back until after dinner. We had a flight meeting, and I was asleep by 2330.
Day 2
[Merciless pounding on the door] “WAKE UP!! YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO BE OUT IN THIS HALLWAY!!!!” That was what greeted me at 0430. For those readers with a Yeshiva background, think of the Vecker from HELL!! I jumped out of bed, threw on my clothes, washed my hands, and stood in the hallway… while I wasn’t the first one out, at least I wasn’t the last. We were allowed to come back inside to brush our teeth, shave and grab all of our important documents… did I say we were given four minutes? We stood at attention in the hallway for another five minutes waiting for stragglers, and then were marched on to the parade ground. We all stood in front of the reviewing stand, where Lt Col Ackerman (Jewish??), the commander of COT, addressed us. At the end of his words, a blue line of lights appeared at our feet and we told to step across it, symbolizing our stepping “into the Blue,” into the world of the Air Force. We filed into the bleachers, where we were given a boxed breakfast - and almost all of it was kosher! NutriGrain bar, box of cereal (Rasin Bran Crunch, thank you very much), an apple, milk, orange juice… biggest breakfast I’ve had in a year! Then we lined up to pick up our MRE’s for lunch (we would not be dining in the DFAC), which is when I discovered they had no Kosher MRE. More on that later.
The rest of the afternoon was my first lesson in the great military tradition of “Hurry up and wait.” We went to have our blood drawn, filled out emergency survivor forms (who gets the insurance and my body should I die. Good morning to you, too!) and then… unrinalysis. I stood in line for over two hours (reading the study manual, of course - See Day One) to get my bottle. Then, I had to be escorted into the rest room where an officer had to watch me do my “bidness” into the jar. That’s right, he actually said, “Angle towards me so I can see what you are doing.” Dude! You can’t use your imagination?? It was 1045 when I was done, and I finally got the courage to ask someone if I could do my morning prayer services. They immediately got me over to the chaplain’s office, and we had a wonderful chat. I was allowed to go back to my room and get my Teffilin, and I brought them to the private “devotional” room (RAC – Religious Accomodation Center). It was great! They had a “Jewish” box, with ArtScroll siddurs and Chumashim, kiddush cups, havdalah sets – they even had a pair of REALLY nice Tefillin!
The rest of the afternoon was my first lesson in the great military tradition of “Hurry up and wait.” We went to have our blood drawn, filled out emergency survivor forms (who gets the insurance and my body should I die. Good morning to you, too!) and then… unrinalysis. I stood in line for over two hours (reading the study manual, of course - See Day One) to get my bottle. Then, I had to be escorted into the rest room where an officer had to watch me do my “bidness” into the jar. That’s right, he actually said, “Angle towards me so I can see what you are doing.” Dude! You can’t use your imagination?? It was 1045 when I was done, and I finally got the courage to ask someone if I could do my morning prayer services. They immediately got me over to the chaplain’s office, and we had a wonderful chat. I was allowed to go back to my room and get my Teffilin, and I brought them to the private “devotional” room (RAC – Religious Accomodation Center). It was great! They had a “Jewish” box, with ArtScroll siddurs and Chumashim, kiddush cups, havdalah sets – they even had a pair of REALLY nice Tefillin!
Day 1
Someone told me that I would be yelled at the minute I parked my car; I thought they were joking. NOT! After driving for 5.5 hours, I pulled into Maxwell Air Force Base in Motgomery AL at 3:00 PM – where it was 95 degrees Fahrenheit in MAY. I saw the signs for COT in-processing and followed them, and when I drove around the bend I saw people already lined up in formation. I parked in the first spot I saw (turned out to be a staff person’s space) and hustled to the staging area. The first guy I saw – a big dude with a high-and-tight haircut, sunglasses and a drill hat (yeah, the kind you see in the movies) – yelled at me, “SIR – do you have any luggage?” I responded, “Yes, sir.” He yelled back, “Do you want me to get it for you, or should I send a servant? Get your things, leave them on the picnic table, and get in line!” I ran back to my car, grabbed my backback, dragged my wheeled duffel bag abd wheeled suitcase down the sidewalk… which abrubtly ended, leaving me to drag these two kosher food-laden bags across the gravel until I got to the tables. By the time I got in line, I was sweating like a glass of iced tea in Memphis. Which sounds really good right about now.
We were taken inside into a pseudo-air conditioned room for stage one of in-processing. I stood at attention for an hour and a half. No joke. When it was finally my turn, I had to go through stations: checking in, getting our keys and access codes, paying for our MRE’s (meals, ready to eat) for when we are out in field, etc. At each station we were yelled at regarding how we addressed the staff people, what we answered, what we were wearing. I was weighted (four pounds heavier than my scale said that very morning – who knew my wallet and clothes weighed that much?) and my height was measured (I seemed to have grown an inch!) and my waist was measured, as well (I seemed to have gained an inch there, as well. At least I’m consistent). All of this was done with interminable waits, all at attantion, and constantly being yelled at.
We were finally allowed to bring our luggage to our rooms and unpack. I have a wonderful roommate, a 24 year old Latter Day Saints member and soon-to-be doctor named 2d Lt Bryce Coombs. I am rooming with a guy my son’s age! The rooms are nice enough; think Motel 6. After unpacking we had to report to the D-FAC (Dining Facility) for dinner. That’s where my first in-your face dress-down occurred. The COT website clearly stated to bring $40 in cash to pay for meals the first week. However, they took that $40 to pay for MRE’s (see above). When we were in-processing, they told us we needed $50, not $40 – but there is no ATM on the immediete campus, so I didn’t get any more money. As a result, when we got in the chow line, I just walked through with an empty tray. An officer swaw me and started yelling at me that I have to eat. I tried to evade by explaining that that my diet doesn’t allow me to eat this food. He called my bluff and said, “You mean you can’t eat anything here? Are the apples and oranges not kosher?” I had to confess that I had no money. “And when did you discover that you had no money?” “Sir, during in processing” (Unlike the movies, every sentence – EVERY sentence – MUST begin with the word “Sir” – except for, “Yes, sir” or “No, sir”. It’s “Sir, thank you,” not “Thank you, sir.” And they WILL call you out EACH time you screw up). “And did you tell anyone that you didn’t have any money so we could have addressed the problem?”
“No, sir.” All of this within earshot of the State of Mississippi. You get the idea. I sat in the mess hall drinking a protein drink that I snagged on the way out of my room. Boy, did I look like an idiot.
We were dismissed early, and I went back to my room to study (we have to carry a rules manual around all the time, and during any “at-ease” while waiting in line you BETTER have it in your hands studying, or a passing officer will stop and quiz you). I took the opportunity to finally eat a can of tuna… I showered, changed and went to sleep…
We were taken inside into a pseudo-air conditioned room for stage one of in-processing. I stood at attention for an hour and a half. No joke. When it was finally my turn, I had to go through stations: checking in, getting our keys and access codes, paying for our MRE’s (meals, ready to eat) for when we are out in field, etc. At each station we were yelled at regarding how we addressed the staff people, what we answered, what we were wearing. I was weighted (four pounds heavier than my scale said that very morning – who knew my wallet and clothes weighed that much?) and my height was measured (I seemed to have grown an inch!) and my waist was measured, as well (I seemed to have gained an inch there, as well. At least I’m consistent). All of this was done with interminable waits, all at attantion, and constantly being yelled at.
We were finally allowed to bring our luggage to our rooms and unpack. I have a wonderful roommate, a 24 year old Latter Day Saints member and soon-to-be doctor named 2d Lt Bryce Coombs. I am rooming with a guy my son’s age! The rooms are nice enough; think Motel 6. After unpacking we had to report to the D-FAC (Dining Facility) for dinner. That’s where my first in-your face dress-down occurred. The COT website clearly stated to bring $40 in cash to pay for meals the first week. However, they took that $40 to pay for MRE’s (see above). When we were in-processing, they told us we needed $50, not $40 – but there is no ATM on the immediete campus, so I didn’t get any more money. As a result, when we got in the chow line, I just walked through with an empty tray. An officer swaw me and started yelling at me that I have to eat. I tried to evade by explaining that that my diet doesn’t allow me to eat this food. He called my bluff and said, “You mean you can’t eat anything here? Are the apples and oranges not kosher?” I had to confess that I had no money. “And when did you discover that you had no money?” “Sir, during in processing” (Unlike the movies, every sentence – EVERY sentence – MUST begin with the word “Sir” – except for, “Yes, sir” or “No, sir”. It’s “Sir, thank you,” not “Thank you, sir.” And they WILL call you out EACH time you screw up). “And did you tell anyone that you didn’t have any money so we could have addressed the problem?”
“No, sir.” All of this within earshot of the State of Mississippi. You get the idea. I sat in the mess hall drinking a protein drink that I snagged on the way out of my room. Boy, did I look like an idiot.
We were dismissed early, and I went back to my room to study (we have to carry a rules manual around all the time, and during any “at-ease” while waiting in line you BETTER have it in your hands studying, or a passing officer will stop and quiz you). I took the opportunity to finally eat a can of tuna… I showered, changed and went to sleep…
Friday, May 21, 2010
Curriculum
According to the Air Force website, this is the expected curriculum and schedule:
Our curriculum is broken down into several areas.
-DRILL AND CEREMONIES:
We are going to teach you marching skills. This is the most effective method of moving a large mass of people from one area to another. In addition, it reinforces self-discipline, teamwork and leadership. We will give you the basic skills and expect you to practice them. Everyone must be able to effectively march (lead) a flight in drill.
-HEALTH AND FITNESS:
We cover the importance of maintaining a good physical fitness program. You will participate in a daily aerobic/anaerobic program. A fitness test will be administered near the end of training. You’ll be required to pass the fitness test to graduate with honors. Additionally, you will participate in several outdoor leadership laboratories requiring physical fitness.
-COMMUNICATION SKILLS (CS):
We will familiarize you with various forms of military correspondence and provide you opportunities to write military-style documents. Besides military correspondence, we will instruct you on the basics of military briefings and thus, you will be given the opportunity to give a short briefing.
-PROFESSION OF ARMS (PA):
You will learn proper military customs and courtesies, military dress and grooming standards for the proper wear of the uniform, the nature of the military profession with an emphasis on Air Force Officership, and the importance of professional relationships.
-MILITARY STUDIES AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES (MS):
You will learn the structure of the Department of Defense including the Department of the Air Force. You will also learn the concept of the Expeditionary Aerospace Force - the Air Forces guiding vision for how we are organized, trained, and equipped to deploy and sustain our aerospace forces for military operations overseas. As part of the International Security Studies, you will learn about the Air Force role in Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW).
-LEADERSHIP STUDIES (LS):
This is the largest portion of our curriculum. You will study various leadership styles, problem solving techniques, and management tools. You will then have an opportunity to put some of them into practice during our many practical leadership exercises. Additionally, you will be trained in the importance of the Air Force Officer Honor Code as well as the Air Force Core values: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence In All We Do.The “sample” schedule below will give you an idea of a typical summer training day. Physical conditioning will always be in the morning, but may be conducted inside.
0515-0615: Physical Conditioning
0615-0800: Personal Time and Breakfast
0800-1200: Training/Academics
1200-1300: Lunch/Student Wing Activities
1300-1700: Training/Academics
1700-1800: Evening Meal
1800-2200: Trainee Group Activities/Meetings 2200-2330: Personal Time or Sleep
0515-0615: Physical Conditioning
0615-0800: Personal Time and Breakfast
0800-1200: Training/Academics
1200-1300: Lunch/Student Wing Activities
1300-1700: Training/Academics
1700-1800: Evening Meal
1800-2200: Trainee Group Activities/Meetings 2200-2330: Personal Time or Sleep
2330 : Lights Out
Okay, I'm not going to lie - while I was very excited for the last few months, I am beginning to get a bit... anxious! I keep thinking of other Jewish chaplains I know who have gone through it, and I tell myself, "If that putz could to it, I certainly can!" (for those unfamiliar with the Yiddish, putz, you're on your own...)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Preparing to go
Let me introduce myself. My name is Rabbi Joseph (Joey) Friedman. My last congregational position was in Norfolk, VA - I left in June 2005 - and moved back to Memphis, TN. After a series of business setbacks, my wife and I decided I would go to Law School and pursue what had been a dream for a very long time. The only problem was the reality of getting out of school at the age of 49 with a boat-load of student loans, something that was very disconcerting to say the least. I friend of mine - former Air Force officer - suggested I consider the Tennessee Air National Guard as a way to help offset my tuition expenses; after all, they provide very attractive incentives for chaplains, as they are in dire need for those billets to be filled.
I met with the recruiter, and was right away confronted with hurdles. The military has age requirements, weight requirements, fitness requirements... and I wasn't meeting any of them. Specialized officer positions - JAGs, doctors, etc. normally have a cut-off of 42 years old. I was already (at the time) 45... Well, we got a waiver for that, as the military REALLY needs chaplains (the drop dead cut-off is 47, unless you are a Catholic priest - then, you can be older than God! They are DESPERATE for priests!). For my age and height, I need to be below 186 lbs. Problem was I was about 210! Oh - and did I say that I had never seriously worked out a day in my life? The military has minimum running, push-up and sit-up requirements that scared the living daylight out of me...
There is no greater motivator than money - so I got work. Between June 1 and the middle of August, I dropped 25 pounds, and began doing intensive cardio at home. By the time of my entrance physical, I was 183 pounds, and was running/walking 30 minutes every day. After a series of interviews and meetings, we worked out all the requirements and on Dec. 17, 2009 I was sworn in to the Tennessee Air National Guard as a Chaplain (Captain). On March 16, I completed my first PT (physical test) during which I did 36 push-ups, 33 sit-ups and ran 1.5 miles in 13.55 minutes (I am now up to over 50 sit-ups and about 40 push ups - and I run about three miles every day).
There are two courses that are required for my duty: COT (Commissioned Officer Training) and Basic Chaplain. The first is 5 weeks long, and the second in 6 weeks long. I have 24 months to complete them both. On Monday, May 24th, I depart for Maxwell Air Force base in Montgomery, AL for COT. I will have to deal with the fact that I keep a strictly Kosher diet - and the Air Force doesn't! I am also Sabbath-observant, which has its own share of challenges. But I am comforted by the fact that I am certainly not the first Orthodox rabbi to go through COT (although I may be the oldest - I will need to look into that!!).
I hope to update this blog on a regular basis with a record of the experience and the concomitant challenges - and I hope to add pictures, as well. Please leave comments if you are so inclined - I will be nice to get the feedback!
Off we go into the wild blue yonder... Shalom!
I met with the recruiter, and was right away confronted with hurdles. The military has age requirements, weight requirements, fitness requirements... and I wasn't meeting any of them. Specialized officer positions - JAGs, doctors, etc. normally have a cut-off of 42 years old. I was already (at the time) 45... Well, we got a waiver for that, as the military REALLY needs chaplains (the drop dead cut-off is 47, unless you are a Catholic priest - then, you can be older than God! They are DESPERATE for priests!). For my age and height, I need to be below 186 lbs. Problem was I was about 210! Oh - and did I say that I had never seriously worked out a day in my life? The military has minimum running, push-up and sit-up requirements that scared the living daylight out of me...
There is no greater motivator than money - so I got work. Between June 1 and the middle of August, I dropped 25 pounds, and began doing intensive cardio at home. By the time of my entrance physical, I was 183 pounds, and was running/walking 30 minutes every day. After a series of interviews and meetings, we worked out all the requirements and on Dec. 17, 2009 I was sworn in to the Tennessee Air National Guard as a Chaplain (Captain). On March 16, I completed my first PT (physical test) during which I did 36 push-ups, 33 sit-ups and ran 1.5 miles in 13.55 minutes (I am now up to over 50 sit-ups and about 40 push ups - and I run about three miles every day).
There are two courses that are required for my duty: COT (Commissioned Officer Training) and Basic Chaplain. The first is 5 weeks long, and the second in 6 weeks long. I have 24 months to complete them both. On Monday, May 24th, I depart for Maxwell Air Force base in Montgomery, AL for COT. I will have to deal with the fact that I keep a strictly Kosher diet - and the Air Force doesn't! I am also Sabbath-observant, which has its own share of challenges. But I am comforted by the fact that I am certainly not the first Orthodox rabbi to go through COT (although I may be the oldest - I will need to look into that!!).
I hope to update this blog on a regular basis with a record of the experience and the concomitant challenges - and I hope to add pictures, as well. Please leave comments if you are so inclined - I will be nice to get the feedback!
Off we go into the wild blue yonder... Shalom!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)