Basic Cadet Training 2010

2 years ago...

Sir, Basic Cadet Berthiaume reports as ordered. Sir, the seven basic responses are as follows. Yes Sir. No Sir. No excuse Sir. Sir may I ask a question. Sir may I make a statement. Sir I do not understand. Sir I do not know.

Blood, sweat, and tears came from those 6 weeks of BCT. I was in Cobras A-flight which fed into academic squadron 9. Those 6 weeks were the hardest and most rewarding ones of my life. My friends were partying in Ocean City and I was awake for 19 out of 24 hours a day and not allowed to sit or kneel in my own room. I never thought the day would come when I would be a BCT cadre, but that day has come, and that day is tomorrow...June 24, 2010.

Basics, all eyes on me. I am cadet senior master sergeant (C/SMSgt) Samantha F Berthiaume. I am your Hellcats Superintendent. You will never mistake me for a Sir and you will not mispronounce my last name. Do you understand?

This summer I am the Hellcats Superintendent. I am in charge of academic squadrons 29, 30, 31, and 32. These next three weeks will be the hardest and most rewarding ones of my life. My friends are partying in Ocean City and I will be awake for 21 out of the 24 hours. A cell phone and radio are attached to my hip and they will never be turned off. I have 132 members of the class of 2014, 20 members of the class of 2012, and 6 members of the class of 2011 looking to me for example and direction.

I will never falter and I will not fail. My job is to create the best possible officers and these next 3 weeks will challenge me in ways I never thought possible. I will record the stories, the memories, and the long nights...sit back, relax, be glad you're not me, and welcome to basic cadet training for the class of 2014