Tech School Week 3

Let's see, where to start... It's been a while since I have wrote anything on here so I might as well recap a few things first. First off, there was basic, what a trip. Our flight consisted of 49 people to start out with and we graduated 45. Our flight had two MTI's (Military Training Instructos) and for about the first two weeks they were our constant companions...unfortunately. During those two weeks they were probably in someone's face at least 70% of the time and they didn't leave until our lights went out.

The first couple weeks we learned basic things such as how to dress, march, and clean up our dorm. We were issued our uniform and got our hair cut off, fun times. Around the third week we started to get into our main routine. Going to occasional classes, marching drills, and other basic things that we needed to know for the air force. The instructors kept us sharp, but also started laying off at this time... still you definately did not want to be the guy messing up.

Pretty much mentioned the rest in the letters I sent, BEAST was boring and probably ruined my back with all the weight we carried, got to joust with the sticks that you used to see on American Gladiator, but most of my time was spent marching or trying to make the dorm look perfect.

Now I'm at Tech school in Wichita Falls, TX. I'm in Aerospace Medical Service, which is a fancy word for an EMT-Basic... not quite a nurse, but close. The classes aren't too bad but it's supposed to get rougher (50% drop out rate is what I'm told). Made some pretty cool friends here that live on my hall and attend my classes. Still have to march too and from classes and it sucks because it takes forever to get lined up and go. What would normally take 20 minutes to walk ends up taking 20 minutes to line up 25 minutes to walk then another 20 minutes to get inside the building. Oh well. Anyway, that's about it... don't think there's anything else I can think of, if you have a question just shoot me a facebook comment or something. Later

Airman picture

October 9, 2010

October 2, 2010

September 26, 2010

phone call October 2nd

Posted by Carl Metzger:

Adam called Saturday, October 2nd around 6 pm. Reports that everything is going very well. He is looking forward to taming the "Beast" Monday-Friday. He hasn't received any demerits or write ups so far. He his on course for graduation physically with the 1.5 mile run, pushups, situps, etc. He passed his test for the M-16. You gotta remember how hard that is for Adam. He throws left, writes with his right hand, and bats right. So, when he holds his M-16 he puts it on his left shoulder. Problem is, he sees more naturally out of the right eye. So, it is harder for him because he wants to bring the whole side of his head over to the left, and look through his right eye. But, bottom line, he adjusted and passed.

i updated him concerning the central division champion Reds, Notre Dame, St. Johns football and all of the other current events he was interested in. He wants the Reds playoff games taped (since they haven't been in the playoffs for so long). If anyone wants to do that, go ahead in case I forget. He said he will find out soon what his job will be (week 8). He is receiving letters from a number of people, so keep them coming.

9-25-10 letter

phone call 9-27-10

Adam called tonight and had 15 minutes to talk. He's finally feeling better from his cold or flu. The weather there has cooled down quite a bit. He said they were actually complaining about the cool temps when they were out doing PT in the early morning hours. He survived the gas chamber. The only mistake he said he made was his first breath was through his mouth instead of his nose. He could barely respond to the question he had to answer in order to pass the test because he was coughing. He was extremely thankful for whoever invented the gas mask. The Beast is next week. You can search it on youtube to get an idea what he will be doing. Essentially it is a week out in tents against the enemy. I could hear someone in the background yelling out how much time was left. He wanted to thank everyone for their letters, especially Courtney who has been sending a letter daily. He has more letters written but has to earn the right to send them. Last week they had earned the right to talk 20 minutes then lost that time and ended up with only 5 minutes. He is glad for all the updates on St. Johns, Notre Dame and the Reds. As short as his hair was when he left, they cut it shorter. Still not as short as he had it at one time. Apparently he got it cut again this week. His knees are bothering him a bit. He says its from all the marching and standing they do as well as all the PT that gets them on the ground and up a lot.

September 18th

September 13th

September 7

I'm not sure Adam is getting all his letters. He mentions in his letter that he hasn't received many at all. Keep sending letters, it must be taking a lot longer for them to get there.

3 weeks down

Per Carl Metzger: Got a call from Adam today (Sunday, September 19th) around 5:15. He was only allowed to talk for five minutes. He told me he was doing well and improving in all categories, including his mile and a half run time. He was a little under the weather, and said alot of the guys had a touch of the flu. He said that he gets to experience gas chamber training next week, as well as the obstacle course (if the course isn't too muddy). He is doing well with the classroom portion of his training and is on schedule for graduation on October the 21st. He will be starting week 4 of basic training next week. Keep the cards and letters coming. He likes to me kept up to date with any news, sports, etc.

Phone call #2

I just got off the phone with Adam. He had 15 minutes this time that he was allowed to talk. I also received 2 letters which I have posted on here for him. He said there may have been a problem with his address so he may not have been getting mail. Please please send him letters. He truly looks forward to them. He has to earn the right to write letters and then has to earn another right to send them. He has only had 2 opportunities to write, and only 1 to send. I will include his correct address at the end of this post.

He said he can assemble and disassemble an M16 rifle in 1 minute. His mile time is getting faster and he is quickly learning how to roll t-shirts and socks. His day starts at 4:45 AM every day with physical training (PT) followed by breakfast. He said the food is great. I was glad to hear that they have very specific rules on training during the day when the temperatures are high. Black flag and red flag limit what they can do physically or can restrict any activity in the sun. He said his letters may sound a bit depressing, but that things are getting better. Either that or he is just getting used to it. If you want to see what he wears most of the time, look up Air Force ABU. He also told me he passed his locker inspection. Which is apparently a challenge. His unit started out with 49 and is down to 46. For different reasons they have lost 3 members. His knees are bothering him a bit, but he says its from all the standing around and marching they have to do.

His graduation is October 21st. After that he will go to tech training. He doesn't know where that will be yet. He wants kept up to date on the Reds, Notre Dame football and St. Johns football. He would love to get letters from anyone. It is the thing he looks forward to the most. Don't send pictures, or cards or food or anything else. That can cause him great embarrassment and problems. Just send letters.

AB Metzger, Adam A
321 TRS/FLT 665 (dorm A-1)
1320 Truemper St. Unit 364042
Lackland, TX  78236-6431

Letter 2

Letter

first phone call

Carl Metzger I just got off of the phone with Adam from Basic Training. He was allowed to talk for 10 minutes and was allowed only one call. He said he is doing well and surviving the intense physical routine. He said it has been very difficult meeting all of the demands, but is improving daily. He would appreciate any cards or letters you could send him, since he has only had a couple so far. He looks forward to getting mail. He has stayed healthy and is trying hard to keep his locker cleaned and organized. Make sure to write if you get a chance!

He was very concerned about how his Reds were doing, and was happy to know they are still in first place by a healthy margin. He asked about everyone, especially Katy. If any friends want me to tell him something next time he calls, let me know.

Postcard

mail

Letters can be sent to Adam at the following address:

AB Metzger, Adam A
321 GRX\FLT 665 (Dorm A-1)
1320 Truemper St.. - Unit 364042
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-6431

Letters only, do not send anything else. 

Arrived safely to AFB

This post is by Cindy Metzger. Today Adam traveled from Columbus to Washington DC then finally to San Antonio. Adam called at 10:24 pm to let me know he arrived safely at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. That was all he was permitted to say. Many people have posted well wishes and prayers on facebook for Adam. Now we will just sit and wait for Adam to send a letter or call. I know the next few weeks will be very busy transitioning over to military life. I have complete confidence in Adam and know he will do an awesome job in the United States Air Force.

Leaving

Well today is the day... sort of.  Today I have to be in Lima at noon so my recruiter can make sure I have everything I need.  After that, I am heading to Columbus with my Dad.  He has an interview, and at some point he will drop me off at a hotel in Columbus.  Then tomorrow I will get up at 6 a.m get a physical done, probably fill out some paperwork, and then be driven to the airport which will fly me to Texas.

So this will be the last post that I write. From here on out my mom will be basically copying and pasting the letters that I send back through good old fashioned snail mail.  I'm really excited about everything.  I'm pretty sure a lot of people have wondered why I would join the air force, especially since I had just spent 4 and a half years getting my teachers certificate.  Well, the answer is pretty simple.  You don't get many chances in life to do something like this.  Get to try something that you are not sure you can do, get to go somewhere you might not have had the chance to go, meet people you never would have met and so on.  I guess I like the fact that I know it will be a challenge.  As of right now I only plan to do it for 4 years then I plan on teaching, but I am definitely open to the possibility of making a career out of it if all goes well.

Well, that's about all I have.  Thanks for anyone that came over yesterday.  It was fun.

Adam

5 days till basic

Okay, so there is some new information that I have come across in regards to basic training. We had our monthly department meeting yesterday (Wednesday). This is where all of the recruits in the lima area get together and go over things that they say we should know for when we leave. It's also a way for the recruiter to keep in contact with us while we wait to be assigned a job or are just waiting for our deployment day to arrive. However, every couple months our department likes to have a little fun. Yesterday our fun involved a game of kick ball. Nothing really interesting happened besides me making a fantastic catch in center field (I still got it).

Anyway, the news I found out is that I actually need to leave for Columbus on Monday night. I will stay in a hotel and on Tuesday I will report to MEPS at 6 in the morning. From there we will be driven to the airport where we will be flown to Texas.

Also, I guess on Sunday my mom is throwing me some sort of Graduation/Going away party. I'm not sure who all she has invited, but if you weren't actually invited but still want to come by and say good bye or something feel free. I'll be in Delphos all day Sunday before I head back to Maria Stein to pack up my stuff and leave.

Adam

9 days till basic

For anyone that was unaware I have joined the United States Air Force and am leaving for Basic training on August 24th, which is nine days from now. This entry is pretty much just to make sure that I set this up correctly. What I plan to do is set this up so that when I leave for Basic training all I have to do is send one letter updating my situation and what is going on in Texas (where I will be for Basic). This way I will not have to write a ton of letters while I am in basic answering the same questions over and over.

Also, what I will do is send a letter back as soon as I can when I am there letting everyone know my address and box # so that if you'd like you can write me a letter. If you send me a letter when I am down there and I don't write back, I'd like to apologize in advance, but I'm guessing I will be pretty busy. Anyway feel free to follow this blog I will try and update it every once in a while or whenever something cool happens.

Adam