The end of Jacks is here!

Looks like the bun in her hair is coming unraveled.

Where have you been Lee? Out in the counting house, counting out the money. I can't believe I've missed two days of posting to the Blog. Please forgive me. I have been running Pop Pop camp for Abby and Tommy. Plus we had our German visitors here on Wednesday with Kathy, Sarah and families for a big Spaghetti Dinner.

Just for fun I try to follow the goings on at USNA & USMA. So, everyone, including me in the past, has given the "Oh so it isn't all that tough at the Air Force Academy."

I find it interesting to note, The Air Force was the first to report for Basic Cadet Training. Day one, 26 June. USMA 30 June. USNA 02 July. Now here is a real kicker, we, M.A. and I know of a mid who has had multiple opportunities to call home. One call was at the one week mark. Parents weekend at Annapolis is 7-10 August and the schedule allows the Mids to have Liberty (Navy Slang for being allowed to leave the base). Leave is the word for Air Force and Army.

Now I have to admit that the Basics at USAFA did have the opportunity to spend 6 hours in a meet and great atmosphere at the homes of their sponsor for the year. Sponsors are available for all the Academies. They were not able to visit with family however. This first parent visit and leave will come on the 30'th of August during Parents Weekend.

USAF begins class' on 7 August, USMA 21 August & USNA 20 August.

I'm now of the mind set that each academy in their own rite offers unique challenges to their first year Basic Cadets, Plebes or Midshipmen as the case may be. I've followed the path of Sam through the Eyes of Web Guy, her letters and numerous forums. We have the future leaders of our military and country going through great challenges, both physical and mental. There are those that could say "it wasn't like that in my day."

Well you know what, I'm glad I'm here today and we have record numbers of our youth trying to gain a slot at all the academies. Thank you all, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. Thanks to those at places like The Citadel, VMI and Norwich University in Vermont. And to all our service men and women, thank you.

And sleep well tonight as Kathryn is on active duty through 08-03-08 and John Michael is doing his thing as a PJ in the Air Force for us every day.

Go Navy beat Army. USMC of days gone by!

July 25th, 2008
0430 Reveille
0430 - 0800 Formation/Breakfast/Hygiene
0800 - 1830 Jacks Valley Activities
Airmanship Day
Course Make-ups
Charcter Development Training
1830 - 1900 Transit
1900 - 2000 Chapel or Personal Time
2000 - 2100 Hygiene
2100 TAPS

July 26th, 2008
0430 Reveille
0430 - 0700 Formation/Breakfast/Hygiene
0700 - 0730 Transit
0745 - 0800 Valley Sweepstakes Opening Ceremonies
0800 - 1030 Valley Sweepstakes Events
1030 - 1100 Transit to Big Bad Basic
1100 - 1200 Big Bad Basic
1200 - 1230 Lunch
1230 - 1300 Complete Jacks Valley Teardown
1300 - 1500 Warrior March (Out of Jacks Valley)
1500 - 1730 Unpack from Jacks Valley
1730 - 1830 Dinner
1830 - 1930 Clothing drawer and wardrobe set-up
1930 - 2000 Evening Brief
2000 - 2100 Hygiene
2100 TAPS