WEEK 4 Is in the bag !!!! …. Occupy Quantico!!!

Updating today (Friday) as I missed my two update “days” this week due to homework and other commitments here.

**Condolences to NA Student, Lt. Marvin Butler of the Charles County Sheriff’s Department in Maryland.   Marvin had a tragedy in his family and traveled home this weekend.  We are all hoping things work out and he can return after the weekend.  Prayers to you Marv..... the 7^th Floor Mafia has your back**

Week four is in the bag and we now begin the “halfway” week.  Everyone has really settled into the academy and got into the “routine” of breakfast, class, PT, lunch, class, homework, sleep and repeat.  I have found that getting into the routine really helps speed the week up.

The best part of the week was that we finally got our TV working in the room.... A little Oklahoma engineering with ducktape, a $10 antenna from wal-mart and the metal window frame got us about 10 local channels. All we need is a couple of lawn chairs on the porch, a Weber grill in the front yard, and a redwood deck on our room and we would be set!!

Last weekend I took some personal time to get away from the Marine Base and traveled up the Interstate to the Steven Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport in DC.  It is much larger and has a better collection than the A&S Museum in D.C.

Nose of the spaceshuttle "Enterprise" at Dulles Airport

The Enola Gay, preserved on display at Dulles

Once I left the museum I decided I would take a walk in D.C.,  Parked the car in Arlington and took the subway into D.C…. and just my luck the train gets stuck for 30 minutes under McPherson Square (Home of the Occupy DC Protest).  I tired of sitting on the train and bailed out taking the opportunity to photograph some of the zoo animals in D.C. Occupy.  The place is pretty nasty.

You could smell human waste for several blocks.

The 248^th had the opportunity on Tuesday to hear a presentation by General Hugh Shelton, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Presidents Clinton and Bush.   General Shelton was the Chair of the Joint Chiefs on 9/11 and told some fascinating stories.  Men of his character, approachability (and wit) are lacking in leadership positions across the country. I look forward to reading his book "Leading Without Hesitation".

Week 4 also included the “Cyclone Challenge” on Wednesday.  The challenge consisted of a 20-minute circuit training exercise with no break between stations except to move from point to point.  High impact stuff.  We made it through the challenge fine and followed the workout with ice, ibuprofen and lunch.  Next week’s challenge is the 3.1-mile “Lions Leap” on the road. My knees and shins are not looking forward to the asphalt. The trails were much better for running. Let us just hope for more good weather.

Deer outside one of the "tubes" that lead from building to building. (Known as "Gerbal" tubes)

More homework this weekend, maybe trip into DC or down to Fredericksburg, laundry, reading, boardroom for milk and cookies in the evening :).... (Kareoke pictures from the boardroom are forbidden by academy rules until graduation or until I get a cash offer from several students, whichever comes first) ... Until Monday,   Lets be careful out there!!