Day: October 21, 2006

Two times during SOS we did what is called Project X. The first time, our flight was … a little less than successful. However, in the second one, we were better prepared and consequently, more successful. You’re probably wondering what is Project X? Well, I can’t speak for why the name was chosen, but basically, it requires a team of six to solve a physical problem in a given scenario within 15 minutes. For example, you may have to move a dummy from one pedestal to another, without touching the ground in between using only a couple pieces of rope.
So, here are some images from our second time.
We got started early in the morning and gathered together as a group.

Each flag represents a flight (about 14 people). Jason (#20) is holding ours.

Phil looks back up at me through a tunnel.

Jason emerges from the same tunnel.

Can you see everyone’s worried about the board falling off?

The group is negotiating their way back with a dummy. Although they look benign, the dummies are very realistic, which means they weigh a ton (or at least 130 pounds). 🙂

Glen helps Lori (who was the only female and civilian student in our flight … and did very well) get across. One other point is that you can’t touch the red parts of the obstacle (or incur a time penalty).

Teamwork is essential to complete the tasks.

I just liked this image.

At the start of each task, the group is given instructions on what is required and what the rules are for the scenario. Here, Eddie reads the instructions to his group.

Joe, Jason, and TJ all work to get this log in the right place.

TJ lifts the log while the rope guides it into the right place from above.

Jason gets a hand as he jumps to safety.

We had a warrior run during the last week. Beside the run, we also had to do a few situps and pushups. So, as was usual, we stretched out as a group.

Again, since was doing the event, Anna was the photographer.
We lined up with a flight from another squadron. In our case, it happened to be the same flight that we had just played in flickerball (Tom’s flight). Fortunately, neither side held a grudge, so it was a friendly reunion.

While we did our pushups, the other flight counted for us.

Same for situps.

Then, we lined up to start the run. It was only a three-mile circuit, so the distance wasn’t tough.

Unfortunately, since I haven’t been training as much as liked, it was tougher than should have been. It took me just over 20 minutes to run it. At least the course was very scenic.

When we finished our presentations later that day, our final graded event was complete.
The course was overall enjoyable and I certainly learned a lot. It was nice that I could attend after we left Guam and before we arrived in Germany though.
As I write this, I am in the airport in Amsterdam (although I am publishing it from the lobby of our hotel in Germany), so we have already embarked on the next phase of our journey. We look forward to many adventures here in Europe.
So, until we have pictures to accompany them…
–Jim

The last five weeks, as usual, have flown by. However, the difference was I spent these attending a class called Squadron Officer School (SOS) at Maxwell Air Force Base. It is here Air Force officers are taught the tenants of Air Force doctrine and allowed to practice their leadership skills amongst peers (not a common opportunity). So, it’s a mix of classroom lectures, mass lectures, team building and problem solving, and, of course, athletic events. The following two posts are a compilation of the images and stories I thought you may enjoy viewing/reading.
I believe these were made on the second day. They are from our flight room. There were about 500 students total, divided among 36 flights that make up four student squadrons. Our flight had 14 members. This is Jeff and Eddie as they listening attentively. 🙂

Jeff’s expression really summed up what we all felt … it was going to be a tough five weeks.

Greg was our teambuilder, so he had the task of setting up our social events.

Glen’s expression here perhaps summed up the whole course.

On the first Friday, most of the students and instructors got together for a social event at the officer’s club. As you might expect, there was the friendly mock combat going on. This time in the form of pugil stick fights.

After the club, most of the flight headed out to hang out together. I thought this image of Greg was noteworthy just for his expression. 🙂

The next week, we had the opportunity to try our hand at the unique sport called Flickerball. I know you’ve probably never heard of it. I believe it’s an Air Force specific sport that was invented at or for the Academy. However, it’s used at SOS as a field leadership event. So, the idea is to see how well your team works on the athletic field as well as the classroom.

The idea is to take this small rubber ball (it used to be played with a football) and pass it to your teammates. It’s like ultimate Frisbee in that: you can’t let it drop, otherwise possession changes to the other team.
However, there are three referees who are there to enforce the multitudinous rules. Personally, I think there are so many rules just to take all athleticism out of the game, but that’s just my opinion. Most of the refs were very enthusiastic as they called the game. You can see that their uniforms are also very distinctive.

Once your team gets close to the end line, the idea is to throw the ball and hit the center net. If you do, your team scores 2 points. However, even if you just hit the orange edge, it’s a one-point score.

Sounds pretty simple, right? Well, if you don’t correctly follow all the rules, you’ll end up letting the other team take a technical foul shot. In all likelihood, each team will probably end up taking one to a bunch of tech foul shots. So, if you have a good tech foul shooter, you will probably score often (and consequently win as well).

There are three matches total in the course. After the first two (we had won both), my flight was actually tied for the lead among all 36 flights, since we had won by fairly large margins. In the championship match, we met Tom’s flight, which was also undefeated. This is Tom as he warmed up. Anna was the photographer for these flickerball images.

The ball is put into play with a jump ball.

Tom and Glen on the field.

Here I am with the outstretched arms. I was attempting to block the pass (unsuccessfully by the looks of it).

When the referees had to confer for a violation call, the teams had a chance to regroup in a mini-timeout. We liked the balance and symmetry in this picture.
Flickerball is a non-contact sport (in fact if you even inadvertently touch another player, you are sent to the penalty box), Tom’s team played very aggressive defense.


So close…

Unfortunately, my flight didn’t win the last match, but we did end up in 6th place overall. I have to say though, I wasn’t sorry to finish flickerball. Let’s just say, it’s not my favorite sport.
On the next post, I will get into more of the teambuilding part of SOS. I really enjoyed that part.
Until then…
–Jim