Win Enc Day 5

Camp Swift, TX – To start their last day of training, the Basic Cadets awoke before the light of day and headed to the PT field for their last of exercises.

To start their last day of training, the Basic Cadets awoke before the light of day and headed to the PT field for their last of exercises.

After a rigorous routine of Physical Training, the cadets headed back to their barracks to change into their Blues Uniform for an In Ranks Inspection by the Standardization and Evaluation Team. One last block of classes remained, covering life in the Air Force and the Air Force’s mission statement. Lunch was served immediately afterwards.

Next up were Flight Competitions, where everything that cadets learned over the past week was put to the test. There are two portions to the competition, the Drill Competition, and the Knowledge Bowl. Cadets were rotated between stations while SET watched and kept score. The scores will be tallied at the end of encampment to determine which flight won Honor Flight of Encampment.

After the nerve-racking competitions, cadets were excited to learn that they were attending a ‘Dining in’. This event was put on by encampment staff. A ‘Dining in’ is a time when everyone eats dinner and has a good time. The thing that sets it apart from the rest of the meals at encampment is "the Grog". The Grog is an Air Force tradition, concocted of good food, mixed in a toilet bowl (enhanced by a sanitary liner of course) and a string of tributes you must pay to the Grog, which was presented by the Mess Staff. You have to be appointed to the Grog, then your appointment must be sustained. However, the only way you can send someone to the Grog is by rhyme.

The cadets had an excellent time at the Dining in, followed by personal time. During personal time, there was a great exchange of phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The cadets had to say goodbye to their new family, who undoubtedly will be friends for a long time.

Article and photos submitted by the Encampment Public Affairs Team