Thursday, August 24, 2006
Squadron Officer School es No Mas!
I've completed SOS finally, so after tomorrow's graduation ceremony I will officially be a (fill in the blank). Not sure what I am now. Maybe a more proficient Captain. Yes, I'm now smarter on different methods of leadership, followership, Air Force Doctrine, and BS (Barbara Streisand).
The highlight of my final day was getting to ask a question to retired General Chuck Horner, the man who spearheaded and commanded the massive air campaign of Desert Storm. Cool guy, but he choked on the answer. I basically asked him what he thought the Air Force has done right and what it has done wrong throughout the GWOT.
His response.... "The F-22 cost a lot of money."
Oh well, it was worth a shot.
Most lectures and lessons here at SOS were 50/50. They either hit or missed. The best was a brief from a AC-130 Gunship pilot and how he had to disobey direct orders in order to save Army soldiers from a massive insurgent attack. Moral of the story is that there are good ways and bad ways to disobey an order... you'd better know how to do it the legal way.
As for sporting events here at SOS, we were forced (at gunpoint) to play a really sad game called flickerball. The only good thing about it was the fact that I got to design our team jerseys. Let me tell you that nothing beats putting David Hasselhoff on your team's uniform. It intimidated the other teams (or just caused them to laugh uncontrollably), and we did pretty well out on the field.
Last but not least, my flight members kicked ass. Whereas most flights dealt with morons who butted heads and could never agree on anything, our flight could have easily been mistaken for the Jamaican bobsled team. We all got along, there were no idiots trying to take charge, and we were 100% laid back and relaxed. Almost too relaxed, but we got the job done and did very well compared to most other flights. Your team makes or breaks the SOS experience, and my team was spot on.
That's it. Time to wash the clothes, pack the bags, and drive on back to Ohio after graduation tomorrow morning. Was it worth it? I guess so. I did learn some new things, and I think I'm a better leader because of it. Was it worth being away from the family? Not at all.
posted by El Capitan at 5:33 PM
4 Comments:
airforcewife said...
Oh yes, flickerball and ultimate frisbee - official sports of the Air Force.
And that just says so much. :P
Southern (in)Sanity said...
Congratulations on your graduation.
I hope you enjoyed your stay in Alabama, and I'm sorry you have to leave just before things start cooling off and getting less humid!
said...
Congratulations on graduation!!
Glad to hear that it's over and you can get back with the family.
David Hasselhoff??? Oh my!
Only $19.95 said...
I'm glad that we got to hang! SOS = "Save Our Sangria"
Good times.... The sangria never had a chance.