I Am a Proud Member

What an incredible year.  It’s been quite some time but let’s see if I can catch up to date.  Passing our second evaluation brought a new milestone in itself−rifle night.  As assigned, I named my rifle Rosie.  Inspired by Rosie the Riveter, I chose the name to serve as a constant reminder to always have confidence in my abilities, and faith in myself because “We Can Do It!”  The weeks flew by as we learned Color Guard procedures and all that stood between us and Honor Guard were two short weeks.  We had to meet six separate flights and acquire each member’s signature, but not before some, uh, interesting tasks they gave us.  Our final evaluation came this past Thursday, and as I was the last of the flight to be evaluated, I was nervous as hell.  I shuffled my feet, screwed up the poem High Flight, immediately did an about face after reporting in (considered a sign of disrespect), and also moved my head going from right shoulder arms to port arms.  It was painful, and even more so when they told us that we had disappointed them.  But they were willing to give us one more shot this Saturday.  I don’t want to divulge too much of what went on incase next year’s trainees come across my blog, but after running around the Det for two hours, we were told that we did not get in.  Surrounded by Honor Guard members, we each had to come up with three reasons explaining why we wasted their time this semester.  The Honor Guard commander informed us that he’d give us an about face.  If our candle was lit, we had made it.  And if not, we would have to train again next semester.  The lights went out, and upon executing the command, we discovered three flickering candles. 

I am a proud member of the United States Air Force Honor Guard