18 June 2007
CAMP MAXEY, TX – The beginning of Day Two at the 2007 Texas Wing Summer Encampment. The day started at 0430, when the staff rolled out of bed in preparation for their leadership duties. At 0500, the lights in the basics’ barracks were flicked on, and the startled cadets were told sharply to get up.

Normally they would fall out and form outside the barracks, but the seasonal thunderstorms changed things a bit. The cadets were told that instead of PT they would spend the next hour working on their bunks and uniforms. Tired from the previous day, they were relieved.

But their reprieve did not last long. At 0600, the flight sergeants began shouting for their cadets to fall into their flight formations outside. Much to their surprise, they were led to the open field for a delayed morning PT. After many cherry pickers, sit-ups and jumping jacks, the basics were led back inside for their breakfast.

After the meal, the nine flights spent the following hour preparing for inspection.  Although they are normally held outside, the thunderstorms forced the SET members to conduct uniform inspection indoors.

After inspection, the Charlie and Delta flight cadets got a chance to use the Fire Arms Training Simulators (FATS) while the other cadets worked on drill.

The ritual of standing in line for lunch followed, with its all-too-familiar SOI drill. This time, though, they stayed in the mess hall after the meal, as they had in store a four-hour aerospace class. During this long period, they participated in many activities with gyroscopes, motors, hovercraft, balloons, rockets and parachutes. After this, the cadets rushed outside for the evening formation, where they were told the order of flights for chow. Dinner came and went, and the cadets spent the rest of the evening with their flights, either drilling or getting to know each other better. At drill, the cadets were taught new movements, and they slowly began to show some improvement.

When personal time finally came at 2115, the basics hurriedly took showers and cleaned their bunks. Some of the cadets chose to attend a short devotional offered by the Texas Wing Chaplain, Maj Ron Whitt. Many of the cadets brought their own Bibles along, and used them to follow passages of scripture that Chaplain Whitt read aloud. The service lasted 15 minutes, and the cadets were thankful for the moment of fellowship and comfort. By now all the basics were quite tired, and more than ready to sleep soundly when the lights went out at 2215. 

But the long day was not yet over for the cadet staff, who still needed to hold a staff meeting at 2230 so they could discuss what needed to be done on the following day.  

Finally, at 2300, the day was over and the worn-out cadets, staff and basics alike, slept soundly in their bunks. Their rest would be watched over by two selected cadets each hour, charged with patrolling the barracks as part of their CQ job.

Article and photos submitted by C/SMSgt Marcela Leano