5 July 2007
CAMP MAXEY, TX – When cadets were called this morning at 0500, a change was in the air that was almost tangible. There was a buzz of excitement, for today was the last full day of encampment. In place of PT, the cadets readied their blues, ate breakfast and then headed outside. They were inspected one last time, and this final inspection counted toward the honor flight of the entire encampment. After inspections, the flights participated in the drill competition, each trying to march their very best before the Standard Evaluating Team or SET members.
Once the inspections were concluded, the cadets hurriedly changed into their PT clothes and headed out to the PT strip for the Cadet Olympics. The Cadet Olympics consisted of three different games: the Tug-of-War, the Mile Run Relay and Ultimate Frisbee. Basics, staff and senior members all participated in theses Olympics, and everyone had a great time. At 1200, the cadets quickly ate lunch outside and then changed into their BDUs. They headed out to the Obstacle Course, where they were in for a real surprise. The Obstacle Course consisted of about 12 obstacles, including the monkey bars, the rope wall, the hurdles, the swinging log, and the mud pit. After completing the course, the muddy cadets were hosed down and then told to change only their shoes and shirts before heading out the large tent set up for dining out.
Dining out is a tradition in which cadets have a lot of fun. It started out with the introduction of the head table, the rules of the mess and several toasts. Dinner was then served and the floor for the grog was opened. The “grog” is a toilet filled with special ingredients added by each flight commander. It is customary for cadets to send someone who they think has been slacking off, or has been too mean or hard to the grog for a drink. Those who choose not to drink from the grog, have the choice to be sent to the “firing squad”, which is the SET team armed with water guns. Presentation of the awards followed. An honor cadet from each flight, squadron and from the entire encampment had been chosen, as well as an honor flight. The honor cadet for Summer 2007 was Cadet Van Velzer, the guidon bearer from Echo flight. The honor flight from encampment was Delta flight. The cadets acted out their skits, drawing laughs from the audience as they made fun of the different flights and staff. After the skits, the cadets settled in their chairs and watched a slideshow with pictures from the week. All too soon, cadets were told to go back to the barracks and clean, in preparation for their departure the following day. The night was much longer than the previous ones, as everyone worked hard to get their things packed and ready.

Article and photos submitted by C/SMSgt Marcela Leano