CDI SP 13

The day every cadet was looking forward to! Combat Dining In. This year's CDI was at Naval Station Great Lakes at the Port O' Call dining center. Cadets expressed their warrior spirit through war paint and they prepared for the day ahead. CDI began with the posting of the colors, followed by the National Anthem and then the Invocation and toasts. Following that was the recognition of the commissionees and then lunch, which featured an outstanding meal of crispy fried chicken, beans, cookies and other assorted foods. However, the cadets weren't looking forward to the meal as much as what was coming afterwards. The president of the CDI, C/Col Keane, with the help of the vice, C/Maj Syring, did well to stir up the cadets emotions as they searched for any breaking of the rules of the mess. The cadets knew that any wrong doing could have them sent to the grog, and the grog soon followed. Finally, the tradition of the grog began with the commissionees lining up to put their food items that most represented themselves into the grog and create a brew to test those who are called upon it. This year's grog included items such as water, gatorade, starbuck's coffee, relish, spray cheese, barbecue sauce  Korean barbecue sauce and the infamous ghost chili pepper sauce. Many cadets that day had the unfortunate task of tasting the grog, myself included. It is unclear if there was a record broken, but I believe it would be right to recognize C/Col Ruter for his fearless efforts as he took upon the grog eight times. After the grog was officially closed, skits were next on the schedule. From standardizing a flight with crutches, rapping about life as an AFROTC cadet, conducting a faulty ORI, and calling cover for your vehicle when you halt at an intersection, all could agree that the skits were certainly entertaining. Congratulations to Delta Flight on their winning skit and my deepest regards to Alpha Flight for their grog treatment thereafter. CDI came to a close shortly after the inspiring words from Lt Col Colin Wooten, Commander of the AROTC Rolling Thunder Battalion. Lt Col Wooten taught us about the worth of the military working as a whole and of staying on track with our moral compass. May his words help us cadets in our goal of becoming officers in the Air Force. The CDI of 2013 will definitely be one to remember for years to come.

LLAB 11 SP 13

Saturday, 6 April 13. The double-header plus one. This day proved fruitful in many ways for those cadets who dedicated their Saturday weekend to attending three AFROTC events. Not only was LLAB on the schedule that day, but MULLAB 2 and RWD (Rising Warhawk Day) was also featured. To begin, LLAB 11 was a review of training for the cadets at Det 195. Instead of being retaught by the trainers, GMC taught GMC the procedures of an ORI, FDE, dorm maintenance, and road guard procedures. This not only boosted comradery between the GMC, it also helped to strengthen previous knowledge. With LLAB 11 out of the way, no time was spent in getting ready for MULLAB 2. During this time, road guard procedures and dorm maintenance were further reinforced, as well as a refresher on flag courtesies and procedures. Then with MULLAB 2 over and to end the day with a bang, Rising Warhawk Day was officially commenced. Unlike your normal LLAB experience, RWD really took cadets out of their comfort zone and had them think on their toes as they recalled upon all that they were taught. RWD was no training session, it was a continuous test and evaluation on what cadets knew. To heighten the tension, the POC used their finely tuned skills at picking out the smallest descrepancies in the GMC cadets and informed the cadets of such with intensive yelling. All in all, LLAB 11, MULLAB 2, and RWD was an outstanding success and any cadet who attended definitely went home that day with improved skills.

LLAB 10 SP 13

Welcome back cadets from Spring break! Wasting no time, the cadets pulled their long-sleeve blues from the closet and got them looking sharp for LLAB 10, JROTC shadow day. This LLAB forced GMC to feel like their fellow POC cadets for part of the day as they were actively trying to execute Reveille and Retreat procedures while working with less experienced JROTC cadets. It proved a challenge but the GMC displayed their ability to cope with change and still maintain the Core Value of "Excellence in All We Do". The day then proceeded with various briefings on the U.S. Flag by the GMC which went over proper display, when it is used, etc. LLAB 10 also proved a big day for 3 top-notch cadets of Det 195. C/3C Danczuk, C/4C Nakanishi and C/4C Nebel were all selected for and awarded AFROTC scholarships which will help pay for school and binds them in an Air Force Contract. Congratulations to those 3 outstanding cadets!

LLAB 8 SP13

LLAB 8. Warrior Day. A day of friendly rivalry, teamwork, strength and excellence. LLAB 8 found cadets at Keating gym preparing for a day of challenges. It all started with a quick stretch and then a warm up run around the gym to loosen muscles and get us ready for the events ahead. The majority of LLAB 8 consisted of a rotation between a jodie competition, a warrior knowledge competition and PT. The other rotation involved two teams going head-to-head in volleyball where the correct formation and verbiage drove the game. Following the volleyball game was a relay competition where cadets tested their sprinting, burpee jumps, duck-walks and bear crawling skills. LLAB 8 was wrapped up by a cool-down stretch and an unexpected bearing competition. Congratulations to C/3C Evans for being the finalist in the bearing competition! Once all events were finished, the cadets transited back to Stuart auditorium where they discovered the overall winning flight of Warrior Day. Congratulations to Bravo flight on their top performance and win during Warrior Day. Also, congratulations on the outstanding teamwork and effort put forth by each and every cadet this Warrior Day!

LLAB 7 SP 13

Well, LLAB 7 has finally come and pass which marks about the halfway point to Det 195's AFROTC Spring term. So far much improvement, dedication and warrior spirit has been seen throughout the cadets as they stick to the Core Values and build their skills each and every LLAB. This particular LLAB focused on advance drill such as "flanking movements" and "change step". It also reviewed the cadets of their FDE (Flight Drill Evaluation) skills and gave many cadets a chance to show off their knowledge. LLAB 7 also included both an FTP and IMT day in which much knowledge was reviewed and tested, ranging from static facing movements to the correct execution of an ORI. LLAB 7 also saw the chance to congratulate some of the most outstanding cadets Det 195 has to offer through the implementation of February awards. C/Coomes, C/Dinkha, C/Altman, C/Werner, C/Scherl, C/McGill, and C/Nebel all were presented with awards which rewarded them on their outstanding performance and devotion to the AFROTC. Awards were also given to flight as a whole with Alpha Flight claiming the title of Honor Flight and Delta Flight claiming the title of Warrior Flight. Congratulations again to such outstanding cadets! 

LLAB 6 SP 13

LLAB 6 was the commencement of ORW I (Operation Rising Warhawk). This day proved fruitful for many with the training and learning taking place but it also proved challenging for the rest who took on the responsibilities of trainers or wing staff. ORW I included many 3rd class cadets and a few 4th class cadets who held trainer positions and staff positions and had the responsibility of planning and executing LLAB 6 with minimal help from the POC. These cadets used ORW I to teach their fellow cadets the valuable skills of FDE (Flight Drill Evaluation), ORI (Open Ranks Inspection), and Reporting-In procedures. LLAB 6 also included a skill building GLP that strained cadets' skills of taking responsibility and being prepared for any situation. Overall, ORW I was a success and was reflected by the warrior spirit of those who made it all possible. Congratulations on an outstanding job to all cadets on delivering a successful ORW I!

LLAB 5 SP13

LLAB 5 was a slight variation to your average LLAB drill. It incorporated a few of the many drills and items that will be tested during Field Training. Cadets got to actively participate and display their skills in events such as the ORI (Open Ranks Inspection) and the FDE (Flight Drill Evaluation). LLAB 5 was a very real and insightful day for the cadets as they saw where they could improve and where their drill was at its strongest. This was also the first LLAB of the semester where cadets were able to look sharp in their long-sleeve blues and show their dedication to the AFROTC and the USAF. The day also saw to the rated board results for three top-notch cadets. Both C/Col Keane and C/1st Lt Levine's hard work that they put into the AFROTC payed off when they were selected to be pilots once they commission. C/3C Bennett's efforts were rewarded with the rated position of RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft). Congratulations to these outstanding cadets and to the other cadets of Det 195, keep up the outstanding work!

LLAB 4 SP 13

LLAB 4 taught the cadets valuable skills for the field and immediately put those skills to the test in none other than AEF training! Cadets had the opportunity to learn many useful skills that ranged from the survival and safety techniques of the SABCs to the techniques of orientation with a map and compass. AEF also featured a visit from a member of the Army who lent his time and skills in teaching cadets about ground tactics. Cadets were able to run through an actual scenario that involved mock weapons and various hand-signs with the goal of flanking and taking out an enemy using squadron and fire-team tactics. Another unique scenario took place in the racquetball courts of Keating Gym. The courts acted as potentially "hostile" rooms for cadets to try out their room clearing skills. Even the new AS 100s received ample training as they were taught the basics from Lt Col O'Brien, the Det Commander himself! LLAB 4 was definitely a valuable experience for the Det 195 Warhawks.

LLAB 3 SP 13

LLAB 3, Physical Fitness Assessment. Better known among the cadets as the day to give it your all! What a way to kick off the beginning of the Spring semester at Det 195 then to have a PFA to reinvigorate the cadets and drive them forward. Despite the dreary cold January weather, the PFA definitely brought up the heat when pushing through push-ups and sit-ups and sweating through the mile and a half run. This semester's PFA took place in DeLaSalle gym which featured a 14 lap mile and a half track as opposed to the 6 lap mile an a half track that was used outside for the PFA the previous semester. Even knowing this, not one cadet let the number of laps throw off their concentration and determination. Everyone did an outstanding job! There were quite a few cadets who received a 95 or better on the PFA and were awarded a new Det 195 Blue PT  T-shirt for it. We also had one outstanding cadet who received a perfect score of 100 on the PFA and was awarded a Black T-Shirt. Congratulations C/Maj Brunson on this outstanding achievement! Also, congratulations to all the cadets today on displaying their warrior spirit!

LLAB 2 S13

Much like LLAB 1, LLAB 2 proved to be a very informative experience for the cadets. However, instead of  a long day of briefings, cadets put their Drill and Ceremony skills to the test. LLAB 2 took place in Keating Gym on IIT campus and was set to be the location of various drill movements that ranged from static commands to column movements. It even escalated to a drill off and a competition of column movement skills between the IMT flights. Even  the POC stepped in to show the IMT how it was done! Overall, I bet the cadets would all agree that LLAB 2 was a very rewarding experience that not only tested and strained skills but also exposed the room for improvement.

LLAB 1 S13

Welcome back fellow Cadets! I hope everyone had an awesome Winter Break and made sure to keep up with their physical fitness!

LLAB 1 was chalk full of briefings of both old and new information to kick off the Spring semester. Some of the major items of importance that were discusses included PFA and GPA awards, the selection boards pie charts, dress standards and most importantly, both the Cadre's and the Cadet's expectations for the semester. Cadets were immediately back in the AFROTC drive as they were given new tasks and expected to know the new ranks of their POC counterparts. To start off the Spring semester with a bang, the detachment welcomed many new cadets into its ranks and much enthusiasm was seen that day as they got their first experience of Det 195 life. Det 195 is also lucky to have one cadet in particular that dedicated so much of his time to help his fellow cadets in their path to becoming Air Force Officers. That honored cadet is no other than C/Maj Meskauskas for his work in developing the CRC (Cadet Resource Center) which gives cadets access to print OPORDS, review warrior knowledge, prepare themselves for the AFOQT and even test their flight skills with the state-of-the-art flight simulator equipment.