Last weekend with no car!

Here at the Air Force Academy you cannot maintain or own a car within 150 miles of campus until your junior year. About a month ago a purchased a 2006 Saturn Vue from my Uncle Pete. It was a great deal, car is in perfect condition, and low mileage. Well yesterday, my car started making its journey to me. Uncle Bob and Pop Pop Fiddler are driving it out to me for Parents Weekend. i am so grateful.

So 4-5 more days until I don't have to ask to borrow someone's car. 4-5 days until this leadership learning lab I call college become a lot better.

Basic is over and the school year has begun

The beginning of August marks a very important time for cadets at USAFA. Whether you're a Basic just finishing up BCT or a Firstie going into your final year, no one likes coming back on July 31st to report for duty while all of our friends are still lying out on the beach. The Acceptance Day parade was yesterday and afterward I pinned on 10 different Basics that I had trained. It was neat to see how much the respected me and how much they were thankful for what I did for them. It was a great experience to have. Later that night the class of 2012 had their commitment dinner and today when we walk into our first class we are committed and owe the next seven years to our great country. There's really not much to say about that, except I'm happy to be a junior, it's a weird feeling to be committed to the Air Force, and I can't wait to get my ring in a couple months. I'm having trouble attaching pictures so just check them out on Facebook.

Oh Basics....

I was called a Sir again today by Basic Avers...I told him to give me three reasons that weren't physical why I am a female. Here are his reasons and the conversation that followed after.

1. Ma'am when you bark orders at us you're voice is soothing.
2. Ma'am when you walk into a room it brightens up and smells better.
3. Ma'am you must be descendant of an Egyptian because you remind me of a goddess.

The other cadre members and I started talking about ring dance and Basic Avers asks me if he can ask a question. I say yes and he asks if he could take me to ring dance.

These basics are driving me crazy!

Dad expect a letter to be coming soon. I believe he's mailing it tomorrow. Love you all!

Dear Mrs. Fiddler

     My name is Basic Cadet Emerson Woerner, and I am currently undergoing Basic Cadet Training at the United States Air Force Academy. Today, I mistakenly called your daughter, Cadet Senior Master Sergeant Samantha F. Berthiaume, "Sir." I would first like to apologize, because she is most definitely female. But, I was ordered to explain to you why she is a "Sir."
     Sometimes, us actual men get to discussing who we believe are "real men." These "real men" are often considered such due to their courage, strength, and intelligence. Your daughter has more of these qualities than many physical males, so even though she is female, she could be considered a "real man" or "sir."
     Once again, I apologize. She is really a great leader and sharp individual, and I am honored to be in her squadron.

Sincerely,
Basic Cadet Emerson Woerner
PO Box 2067
USAFA, CO 80841





A) This kid is a huge suck up
B) I'm impressed he didn't use any acronyms
C) Feel free to write him

Differences between Ma'ams and Sirs

Only the best of those I've heard...

- A Ma'am can wear a dress out on the town
- A Ma'am must wear tops and bottoms to the beach
- A Sir does not smell like perfume
- A Sir would not be invited to a baccalaureate party...unless he was the striper
- A Sir does not get in for free on ladies night
- A Sir statistically does not openly admit to liking "The Notebook"
- A Ma'am usually has multiple purses
- A Sir does not ask for directions for lost
- A Sir will not appear as a model for Victoria Secrets
- According to the NY times, Ma'ams make for better pilots than Sirs
- Statistics show that Ma'ams are less likely to get in larger car wrecks
- Ma'ams have a sweeter toned voice
- Females have a higher average BMI
- Females have a longer life expectancy
- Females have naturally stronger abs
- Females become intoxicated quicker
* Females have unique plumbing
- Females walk with grace
- Females smell like vanilla coco bean
* Females don't sweat, they glisten
* Females have the title "Ma'am" and will not be mistaken for a "Sir", "Sma'am" nor any other debauchery
- A Ma'am is pretty, a Sir is handsome
- A Ma'am cannot pee correctly standing up
- A Ma'am is more sensible than a Sir
- A Ma'am does not fart in public like a Sir

And the #1 difference....(that I've gotten today)....

A Sir would not go by the name of Samantha F. Berthiaume

Dear Major Fiddler...

     Ma'am I apologize for losing focus and completely blowing it. I was on auto-pilot "sir" mode and not paying attention to the details which are so very important. I have never been yelled at so much in my entire 20 years nor have I even come into a situation where I have known so little. I know your daughter probably feels like she is trying to teach Helen Keller to play I spy or scrabble, but keep faith. I will learn to be excellent.
     I also appreciate your daughter screaming at me to get things right. I know deep down she is showing that she cares. And last night her and her fellow cadres proved they love me.

Thank you Ma'am,
-Mitch "Helen Keller" Torrel

A Flight is the Special Flight

A Flight, which will turn into 29, is our special flight in basics.

Story 1: Night one the flight staff and squad staff is introducing themselves to the basics. After the introductions are over we put them to bed. Once they all leave we notice a yellow puddle in the hallway. One of the basics had peed his pants.

Story 2: The basics are leaving Mitchell Hall when all of a sudden one of the basics throws up in the middle of the aisle and continues walking. He tells no one what he did.

Story 3: Shortly after story 2 takes place a basic is walking out of Mitch's. He steps in the puke, slips, and lands on his back. He gets up and continues walking.

Story 4: It comes across the radios that a Hellcat has puked and one has fell in it. We ask A flight if this was them and the puker and the faller put an arm out. The puker said he just ate too much. The faller said no excuse, we had both change and we continued on with the evening.