Return with honor….

Major George E. "Bud" Day
Vietnam POW 1967 - 1973

SERE training… what can I say?  Not much really.  It's one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  I've been back now for two weeks and I'm finally starting to get back to normal (whatever that is).  If you want to know more, you're just gonna have to go to the course yourself.  It's some of the best training I've had in the Army.  

I've been at Fort Rucker now for 9 months and it's hard to believe that I'm just now finishing up my "prerequisites" for flight school (i.e. Warrant Officer Candidate School, Helicopter Overwater Survival Training, Aviation Basic Officer Leadership Course, and SERE).  I'm guessing my total time here at Fort Rucker should be around 18-22 months.  So, I'm roughly "half-way" done.  However, the most 'intense' training is about to begin.  I've been spending the last several months studying the TH-67 emergency procedures and limits.  It basically boils down to memorizing a whole bunch of numbers and procedures.  Not too bad really, but hard to put it all together not having anything to associate it with.  Oh well, I'm sure it will all make sense eventually.

No one really talks about 'home' too much, but I miss it.   Quite a bit actually.  I miss getting up on the weekends and heading down to Town lake for a run.  Watching all the other people walking their dogs or row on the lake.  I miss grabbing a breakfast taco at Torchy's or Taco Deli and then "popping in" to see what my buddy Tim is up to before heading back to the house and doing some yard work.  I really miss taking friends flying for BBQ, playing golf and hanging out  with my buddies listening to live music downtown.  I guess I have to realize that I'm halfway home,… and that's much better than I was just a few months ago.   That's what's keeping me motivated right now.  Even though it is highly likely I will be deployed when I get done here at Rucker, I know that I will get to be home for at least a few months before that happens.  Now it's time for IERW (Initial Entry Rotary Wing).  Bring it on!