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!