October 27, 2005
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Air Force Basic Training Graduation: Day 1
We arrived last night in San Antonio and this morning we attended the “Families” briefing for the next few days. The Sergeant was quite animated and briefed us on the following, among other things:
– After the graduation ceremony we are able to walk up to our Airman in the formation to visit with them He told us, “When you walk up to your Airman and start to hug and Kiss on ‘em, make sure it’s your kid! They all look he same!”
– PDA (Public Displays of Affection- “Mom’s, sisters, aunts…..you must use the five-Mississippi method for PDA…you know, you can hug them and make sure you start counting, one-Mississippi, two-Mississippi, etc. Dad’s, brothers, your Airman has told everybody you’re the biggest, baddest, meaness one out there, don’t spoil it! You have to use the two-Mississippi method! Girlfriends and boyfriends……no more than two-Mississippi’s! I meant it!”
– “When you take your Airmen out to eat while on base liberty, don’t take them to a buffet style restaurant! They’ve been eating buffet style for six weeks now!”
– “And when you sit down to eat, don’t be surprised if they woof their food down before you can get your napkin on your lap. They are normally given only 10 minutes to eat their meals!”
– “You will find that many things have changed since you last saw your Airman. They will now pick up after themselves, say ‘yes sir’ and no sir’, they’ll fold their clothes! They’ll even do their own laundry!”
– “After this briefing you can go over to building 3 to pick up your Airmen’s photo’s. I know that they will want you to pick them up. That hasn’t changed!” NOTE: We found out why……they cost $184….he was right…that hasn’t changed…….but…it was worth it!
After the briefing we went outside to watch the upcoming Airmen’s run. Over 800 graduates, all running in their Squadron Formations. Wow, was it cool. It took me back to the good old days in the Army! I loved to sing Jodi’s and carry the guide on (The unit flag).
Shannon’s Flight was toward the end….there she was…my little girl! Wow! I am just one heck of a proud dad! My little girl is now an Airman! I fought hard not to well up inside as I could see all the other parents and loved ones doing the same. This was the first glimpse any of us got of our kids in the last six weeks.
I then went to the airport and picked up Jessica. Then, we returned to the base and after a small ceremony we were able to have a few hours with Shannon. We taked and talked, we laughed, we hugged, we went out and ate dinner and it was like Heaven. Shannon is doing what she has wanted to do for the last two years. The has entered a new phase in her life….we have entered a new phase in ours.
We took her back to her barracks and now we are in our “suite”, getting ready for tomorrow….the big day….graduation! By the way, what a suite, we have a living room, a kitchen, high speed Internet Access, two TV’s (One in our bedroom one in the living room), and her’s the best part……$35 a night! Wow! Yeah, I’m one happy puppy!
Thank you, all of you, for your prayers and good wishes. Shannon told us about the cards and letters she received (over 40) and she was thankful for each and every one!
NOTE: Please visit my new Xanga site, Laleo Cafe, where I will be posting from now on all my “spiritual” ramblings.
Comments (12)
WOW! (and you know how infrequently i use caps)
this brought a tear to my eyes just reading it. i’m so happy for your whole family. the pics are awesome…can’t wait to see more from the grad ceremony.
hope you have a good night’s rest in your ‘suite.’ they’ll take good care of you.
God bless you guys.
Thanx so much for sharing this story. It brings back many memories. It is one of those experiences you always have with you–as you know. So glad you were able to make it down for her graduation. I’m sure she appreciates you guys being there for her. When I was in basic I was in the Band Flight, (played the bugle), so we played at several graduation ceremonies/parades. By the time our own graduation came around, it was just another one. But for many others, they only got to attend one of them. I’m sure Shannon will remember this day.
Glad you like the suite—welcome to the Air Force!
Jim and Ginny, Thank you for the comments and well wishes
I am truly getting a strong appreciation for the Air Force (Having retired Army). Jim….I’m even getting an Air Force T-Shirt! Oh, yea! We’re having a great time! The memories for me are also coming back all over the place. The orderliness of a base, the respect of soldiers and airmen, the chin held high and the “can do” attitude, the pride….wow…..I have told Kelly a million times already that there are things I miss. When I see and hear the drill sergeants barking orders and singing jodi’s……I spent years and years pushin’ troops……I miss it. This has been a nostalgic trip for me also!
I am glad you have been having such a good time. I went to visit LArry yesterday, but he really wasn’t feeling up to a visit, so I spent a little with Patty. SHe is a great lady. I got to meet bugs. I told Larry I would call on Saturday to see if he is feeling up for a visit. Chris should be home by then. Tell Shannon that we all appreciate so much what she is doing. It is a big step. Any man and women in the service hold a very special place in my heart, because it is there job to protect the freedoms that I hold so dear to my heart. I can’t thank them enough. Can’t wait till she gets to come home since I have never met her. I look forward to it. Drive home safe.
Jan that is so awesome! The part you wrote about them picking up after themselves and folding their own clothes… I am taking Ty down to the recruiter now!
Thanks for sharing this.
That’s awesome Jan! Glad to hear that all went well in her life transition.
I’m glad you are having a good trip. I haven’t been to a basic training graduation since 1981. So I wish I was there with you! Will be looking forward to seeing the Air Force shirt in the coming weeks. I’m very sure you will look “outstanding” while wearing it!
I’ve been menaing to ask you a question, why do the drill sergeants sing to Jodi?
Who is she?
Is the drill sergeant’s name Jodi?
Jodi wasn’t with us when I went through basic. Maybe she was just in the Army.
Just wondering…:)
I had tears in my eyes reading this post. I kept thinking that some day my little girl is going to grow up and make me proud.
Jan, thanks for taking the time to share with us so we can rejoice with you. You must be so very proud. Our prayes continue to be with Shannon.
Lovely
Jim, you ask about the tradition of singing cadence called the “Jody”. Nobody seems to know for sure when the cadence calling became known as the jody call. In fact, nobody’s even sure who “Jody” is. In the many cadence calls that disparage Jody’s name, Jody is the guy back home, trying to court a soldier’s wife or girlfriend or sister. And as more women joined the ranks, Jody also came to represent the woman out to seduce a husband or boyfriend. In either case, Jody is a civilian enjoying the comforts of home while the soldier sweats it out in the field or overseas. And soldiers love to console themselves by singing about Jody: “Ain’t no use in going home; Jody’s got your girl and gone. Ain’t no use in feeling blue; Jody’s got your sister, too. Ain’t no use in lookin’ back; Jody’s got your Cadillac…” When soldiers aren’t singing about Jody, they love to sing about the trials and tribulations of military life.