So it's been about 3 weeks since I've written but that's simply because nothing has happened. We're still waiting for a date for Kyle to take his final PAST and then ship off to Basic. He was supposed to have had a practice PAST this past Monday but it was cancelled... again.
We'll soon to be going to Disney World for a weekend for Star Wars Weekend to celebrate Kyle making it into special ops and to celebrate his birthday. :)
That's about it, just wanted to give an update.
Until next time,
Frieda
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
No Wimps Allowed
http://www.pjsinnam.com/Post_Vietnam/No_Wimps.htm
This gives a little bit of an idea of what my husband will soon be going through. He's got one more trust before it's official.
Hosted by PJs in Vietnam
Last Update: Monday, July 20, 2009
Site Mission: Provide Pararescue and Air Rescue History
No wimps allowed.
His hands and feet shackled by rope, Senior Airman Todd Popovich, stood by the edge of the pool. His body hurt so much it finally went numb. “I must be crazy,” he muttered as he readied to jump into 12 feet of water. At that moment, he would have given an week’s pay to obtain the secret to Houdini’s underwater straightjacket escape act.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and disappeared into the pool.
Popovich recently took part in one of the most physically demanding courses in the military – a 10-week Pararescue and Combat Control Indoctrination course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The task described above, called drown-proofing, is designed to increase confidence in water and teach students to react calmly and rationally in high-stress situations.
“This training questions your confidence every time you wake up in the morning,” Popovich said. “It’s not if I can do it, but do I want to. It’s a gut check.”
The course recruits, screens and trains pararescue and combat control candidates for Air Force Special Operations units. Pararescuemen are search and rescue specialists with emergency medical capabilities. Their mission is to recover combat aircrews in austere environments. Combat controllers are trained to provide air traffic control support. They deploy to forward locations and establish assault zones.
When he was a security policeman, Popovich idolized pararescuemen. “I needed a challenge,” he said.
He got it.
Popovich’s class started with 76 students. Only 11 survived the grueling schedule.
Before completing the course, trainees must meet final requirements, which include a 6-mile run in 42.3 minutes, a 4,000-meter swim with fins in 80 minutes, and 75 push-ups, 80 sit-ups, 13 pull-ups, 14 chin-ups and 85 flutter kicks in two minutes each. And all of that has to be done in one day.
But the most challenging part of the course is “Motivation Week,” a three-day test of physical will. Popovich had nightmares about Motivation Week. In the middle of one night he saw an instructor standing by his bed. He thought it was a dream. It wasn’t. Next thing he remembered was crawling through ditches.
“It seems like I was running forever,” he said.
Motivation Week cuts the class size quicker than a weedeater slices dandelions. “I cried like a baby afterwards,” Popovich admitted.
“This course is designed to prove that trainees can break from their comfort zone and push themselves to the limit,” said Master Sgt. Rod Alne, flight supervisor. Alne, a pararescueman for the past 20 years, has been to countless operations, including Just Cause in Panama and Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf war.
“I remember doing back-to-back missions in Panama,” Alne said. “Carrying an 80-pound ruck sack, I was fast roping from a helicopter from one building to another during recovery missions. We’d been up for 48 hours. I was mentally and physically drained. During that time, I experienced every emotion one could have. One minute I was excited, next nervous, then sometimes fear would set in. This training [at Lackland] prepares you for that.”
After 10 weeks and an estimated 25,000 sit-ups, 15,000 flutter kicks, 75 miles of swimming and 200 miles of running, indoctrination is over. Those who make it move through the pipeline to Key West, Fla., for scuba training.
Only 55 more weeks before graduation!
Until next time,
Frieda
This gives a little bit of an idea of what my husband will soon be going through. He's got one more trust before it's official.
Hosted by PJs in Vietnam
Last Update: Monday, July 20, 2009
Site Mission: Provide Pararescue and Air Rescue History
No wimps allowed.
His hands and feet shackled by rope, Senior Airman Todd Popovich, stood by the edge of the pool. His body hurt so much it finally went numb. “I must be crazy,” he muttered as he readied to jump into 12 feet of water. At that moment, he would have given an week’s pay to obtain the secret to Houdini’s underwater straightjacket escape act.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and disappeared into the pool.
Popovich recently took part in one of the most physically demanding courses in the military – a 10-week Pararescue and Combat Control Indoctrination course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The task described above, called drown-proofing, is designed to increase confidence in water and teach students to react calmly and rationally in high-stress situations.
“This training questions your confidence every time you wake up in the morning,” Popovich said. “It’s not if I can do it, but do I want to. It’s a gut check.”
The course recruits, screens and trains pararescue and combat control candidates for Air Force Special Operations units. Pararescuemen are search and rescue specialists with emergency medical capabilities. Their mission is to recover combat aircrews in austere environments. Combat controllers are trained to provide air traffic control support. They deploy to forward locations and establish assault zones.
When he was a security policeman, Popovich idolized pararescuemen. “I needed a challenge,” he said.
He got it.
Popovich’s class started with 76 students. Only 11 survived the grueling schedule.
Before completing the course, trainees must meet final requirements, which include a 6-mile run in 42.3 minutes, a 4,000-meter swim with fins in 80 minutes, and 75 push-ups, 80 sit-ups, 13 pull-ups, 14 chin-ups and 85 flutter kicks in two minutes each. And all of that has to be done in one day.
But the most challenging part of the course is “Motivation Week,” a three-day test of physical will. Popovich had nightmares about Motivation Week. In the middle of one night he saw an instructor standing by his bed. He thought it was a dream. It wasn’t. Next thing he remembered was crawling through ditches.
“It seems like I was running forever,” he said.
Motivation Week cuts the class size quicker than a weedeater slices dandelions. “I cried like a baby afterwards,” Popovich admitted.
“This course is designed to prove that trainees can break from their comfort zone and push themselves to the limit,” said Master Sgt. Rod Alne, flight supervisor. Alne, a pararescueman for the past 20 years, has been to countless operations, including Just Cause in Panama and Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf war.
“I remember doing back-to-back missions in Panama,” Alne said. “Carrying an 80-pound ruck sack, I was fast roping from a helicopter from one building to another during recovery missions. We’d been up for 48 hours. I was mentally and physically drained. During that time, I experienced every emotion one could have. One minute I was excited, next nervous, then sometimes fear would set in. This training [at Lackland] prepares you for that.”
After 10 weeks and an estimated 25,000 sit-ups, 15,000 flutter kicks, 75 miles of swimming and 200 miles of running, indoctrination is over. Those who make it move through the pipeline to Key West, Fla., for scuba training.
Only 55 more weeks before graduation!
Until next time,
Frieda
Friday, May 7, 2010
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Do you think I count yet?
Here's an article I found about it:
President Issues Military Spouse Day Proclamation
07/05/2010 5:00:00 +0000US Government
President Issues Military Spouse Day Proclamation
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 7, 2010 – President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation declaring today as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
Here is the text of the president’s proclamation:
When Americans answer the call to serve in our Armed Forces, a sacred trust is forged. Our men and women in uniform take on the duty of protecting us all, and their spouses and families also help shoulder this important responsibility.
As we mark Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to supporting and honoring the husbands, wives, and loved ones of our Nation's servicemembers.
At the heart of our Armed Forces, servicemembers' spouses keep our military families on track. They balance family life, military life, and their careers -- all while supporting other military families and giving back to their communities. Many have served in uniform themselves and, understanding the obligations involved, can provide unparalleled support. They are pillars of strength in their families, often celebrating their children's life milestones while the other parent is away.
Military spouses also care for our wounded warriors and honor the memory of our Nation's fallen heroes, including their own loved ones. They impact countless lives on military bases and in schools, places of worship, and neighborhoods across our Nation. Their contributions help protect our freedom by strengthening our communities and our servicemembers.
My Administration is committed to improving opportunities and quality of life for these brave spouses and families who know the separation and stress of war. We are increasing servicemembers' compensation as well as funding for better housing, job training, counseling, outreach, and support for spouses and their families. We are also expanding our ground forces to reduce the strain of repeated deployments, and to give servicemembers more time with their loved ones.
There are many ways for each of us to show our appreciation for military spouses. Working through community-based organizations, workplaces, schools, and places of worship, we can help them support their families, establish or build a career, and address the unique challenges they face.
I am inspired every day by our men and women in uniform and their families. They are America's greatest military asset, and my Administration is committed to fulfilling our obligations to them. Today, let us honor the spouses and families who support our servicemembers and, in doing so, help defend our Nation and preserve our liberty.
G
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2010, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
Barack Obama
Got this from:
http://www.articleant.com/p/gov/78296-president-issues-military-spouse-day-proclamation.html
Until next time,
Frieda
Here's an article I found about it:
President Issues Military Spouse Day Proclamation
07/05/2010 5:00:00 +0000US Government
President Issues Military Spouse Day Proclamation
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 7, 2010 – President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation declaring today as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.
Here is the text of the president’s proclamation:
When Americans answer the call to serve in our Armed Forces, a sacred trust is forged. Our men and women in uniform take on the duty of protecting us all, and their spouses and families also help shoulder this important responsibility.
As we mark Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we reaffirm our steadfast commitment to supporting and honoring the husbands, wives, and loved ones of our Nation's servicemembers.
At the heart of our Armed Forces, servicemembers' spouses keep our military families on track. They balance family life, military life, and their careers -- all while supporting other military families and giving back to their communities. Many have served in uniform themselves and, understanding the obligations involved, can provide unparalleled support. They are pillars of strength in their families, often celebrating their children's life milestones while the other parent is away.
Military spouses also care for our wounded warriors and honor the memory of our Nation's fallen heroes, including their own loved ones. They impact countless lives on military bases and in schools, places of worship, and neighborhoods across our Nation. Their contributions help protect our freedom by strengthening our communities and our servicemembers.
My Administration is committed to improving opportunities and quality of life for these brave spouses and families who know the separation and stress of war. We are increasing servicemembers' compensation as well as funding for better housing, job training, counseling, outreach, and support for spouses and their families. We are also expanding our ground forces to reduce the strain of repeated deployments, and to give servicemembers more time with their loved ones.
There are many ways for each of us to show our appreciation for military spouses. Working through community-based organizations, workplaces, schools, and places of worship, we can help them support their families, establish or build a career, and address the unique challenges they face.
I am inspired every day by our men and women in uniform and their families. They are America's greatest military asset, and my Administration is committed to fulfilling our obligations to them. Today, let us honor the spouses and families who support our servicemembers and, in doing so, help defend our Nation and preserve our liberty.
G
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2010, as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. I call upon the people of the United States to honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
Barack Obama
Got this from:
http://www.articleant.com/p/gov/78296-president-issues-military-spouse-day-proclamation.html
Until next time,
Frieda
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Goooaaallll!!!!
So Kyle passed his physical test to qualify for special ops! By the end of the summer he'll be on his way for training to be a pararescue jumper!
Bad news: he won't be leaving in about 2 weeks like planned (longer wait).
Good news: he'll be in Special Forces like he wants!
There were four special ops positions that he was testing for and he qualified for the highest one, pararescue jumper! Apparently only 5% of the people who actually qualify for special forces actually make it into pararescue. There is pararescue jumper, combat control, SERE, and combat weather specialist,.
After he's finished his training, he'll officially be able to wear the red beret. He's very proud of himself and I'm proud of him too. He's got one more test to take in a couple of months before he leaves for basic.
He's supposed to call his recruiter on Monday to *hopefully* have a new ship out date. All he's been told so far is that it'll be the end of the summer.
Until next time,
Frieda
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