Graduation

So, I was incredibly relieved that Warrior Week was finally over, because I was convinced that I was going to be recycled that week (my flightmates said I was crazy for thinking that, but then again, I was constantly worried about something). But we weren't out of the clear yet!! The week after that was our final PT evaluation (which I was completely not ready for) and our end-of-course test, which as academic monitor I had to make sure everybody was prepared for it. That week my TI gave me CQ runner duty as often as she could so I spent the whole time typing up quizzes for everyone to do. And it was kind of fun, actually, although maybe only half the flight did them, and a couple people who really needed to study flat-out refused to.

Meanwhile I half-heartedly tried to do extra push ups every night because I knew they were my weakest. We got some extra running because most of the girls had problems with their run times (I was the opposite...). Anyway, I miraculously passed the PT eval, although I barely made it for push ups and sit ups (so sad).

I think we did the end-of-course test the day after our PT eval. Everybody passed which I was happy about, although I was disappointed that we didn't do better than our brother flight. At tech school I found out that there were usually a few people who failed the test in each flight, so I felt a little better about it later.

Our last week was easier but a lot more nerve-wracking because TIs were still trying to find ways to get you recycled. Then there was stuff like open ranks and drill eval (which I barely remember). BUT ANYWAY. On Thursday we did the Airman's Run. They said it was 3 miles but I seriously doubt it. We had practiced it a lot slower but on the day of we were being paced by somebody else. I felt really bad for our guidon bearer (she tripped a few times) and she had to carry the guidon while we were running. I was a little disappointed because my dad, brother, and Jim weren't there to see the run, but oh well.

After that we had the coin ceremony, which for the band flights kind of sucked. I didn't even get my coin from my TI. And we messed up the playing pretty badly, but the band director didn't really get pissed at us for whatever reason. And after THAT... I knew my dad, Kevin, and Jim were supposed to arrive sometime after that but I was panicking because I didn't have a way to contact them. Also I forgot my phone card at the dorm. Luckily my flightmate's husband let me borrow their cell phone... So we were finally able to meet up. My dad only commented on how dark my skin had gotten. I can't even remember what we did that day... we had to stay on base so there wasn't much to do. I think I may have eaten a lot of pizza or something like that.

The day after that was graduation, which again, for band flights, kind of sucked because we don't get to march on the bomb run. So we just kind of stand in the middle and play, and we're so far away that nobody can really see us. And we had actually gotten Honor Flight, but they don't really mention it when you're the band flight. They don't even mention you at all when they talk about Honor Flights, because the band guidon bearer can't go up there to receive the streamer. Man, we didn't even have our guidon with us, even though we'd received a couple of other streamers. So that was disappointing. But then again, most of us were just happy to be graduating!

After that, we marched from the band hall back to the squadron where our families and friends were waiting for us!! I probably had more tears in my eyes for that than I did for the actual graduation ceremony. I showed the dorm to the guys (my dad kept wondering how come they didn't let us just throw crap everywhere or ride bikes around to get to places, wtf). My TI stopped us on the stairs on our way out and scared the shit out of me, but she was all smiley and introduced herself to my dad. I was too speechless to do anything, really.

We went to Sea World and also the Riverwalk. San Antonio seems like an interesting town so I'm a little sad that I didn't get to see more of it. I hated the humidity but that crap was NOTHING compared to Mississippi, which I would soon discover!

Jim stayed an extra day after my dad and brother. We wanted to go to Chick-Fil-A but we forgot that it was closed on Sundays. So depressing! It was really sad to see him go when he dropped me off back at the base, but I was thankful that anyone came to see my graduation anyway.

I spent the rest of that day frantically cleaning out my lockers/drawers and packing my bags to get ready for my departure to Keesler AFB that night!