Polar Plunge!

Today was Coast Guard Moral Day in E-City and the Command decided to host a Polar Plunge as an event to boost moral. Each school at the base was instructed to gather a team to participate, and of course all of Chris' AST Class were there & ready! There was to be a costume contest as well as the Plunge, and Chris' Team didn't want to disappoint anyone.


Throughout the week these 6 guys & one "girl" put together their best Richard Simmons' Gear and prepared for the big event. As you can see, the team wore light pink beaters, short-short-shorts, tall socks, sweatbands and wigs. Their class mascots (Dirty Sanchez and Joboo) even got dressed up for the event.


They had a BLAST during the day and were the best dressed out there! However, they didn't win 1st Place in the Costume Contest because the judges only had 4 prizes to give away to a team, and therefore they gave 1st Place to a team with only 4 people (rather then the 7 that were in the AST Team).

When it came time for the Plunge, the ASTs were "volunteered" to go into the 40 degree water first. And, without hesitation, they went running into the cold water -- afterall, these guys will be "living" in this cold of water for the rest of their careers!

A BBQ followed and after it was all over, Chris was sitting at a nearby picnic table with 2 other guys when a reporter came up to them to ask the ASTs about the day, as well as, the rumored difficulty of the class. The article will be appearing in the local E-City newspaper either this Sunday or next Sunday -- Chris will be getting copies of the papers, and I can post the article when he gets it.

Well, It was a great day at the beach and something, I'm sure, Chris will never forget. Oh, by the way, I'll have many more pictures of the ASTs in their outfits by the end of the weekend (check back)

Grandpa & Grandma Meet Emily

Grandpa & Grandma Moore came over for a visit today to meet Emily. They drove 7 1/2 hours down from Sacramento to come to Southern California to visit. Chris & his dad got to talk face-to-face via the web cam and while they were talking they got to see Emily turn over!! (1st time for the both of them!) It won't be long until she's crawling! We all had a very nice visit & I know that Emily can't wait to see them again soon!!

Dirty Tux Night

As you all read in my previous post, Chris and the rest of the class passed their Phase-Out Multi test. This was no easy test to pass and was the end of the rigorous Swimmer Phase of the class. So, his class celebrated this tremendous event by going out for Dirty Tux Night.

Tradition has been that the students who pass their Phase-Out Multi's have a night out-on-the-town to celebrate. As part of this tradition, they will go to the local thrift store and find the craziest outfit to wear out - usually they try to find a suit, hence "Dirty Tux Night." After they all have their costumes, they go out to dinner together and then drive 2 hours to Greenville. They hit the local bar scene in Greenville and celebrate until the bars close. Then they drive the 2 hours back home...yes, there is always a DD. They actually didn't get home until 6am!!

Chris said that they all had a REALLY FUN TIME!!!

...definitely something worth celebrating!

HE PASSED!!! ...and the journey continues!

It was about 8:30 this morning when I got the call (11:30am EST). Chris' Phase Out Multi Test was this morning and today's test would determine whether or not Chris would be able to continue thru the Program. I answered the phone and just said "Just give it to me straight..." and then, all I could hear was screaming & cheering. All I could say excitingly was "Does that mean you passed!?" He didn't have much time to talk, but said "YES! I PASSED!!! The entire class passed!!!" I couldn't believe it!! He is just so happy!

I talked with him a few hours later and he gave me the low-down on all the details of the test. He was the 2nd to last guy to go and had to wait in the locker room showers as one-at-a-time each Airman was called into the pool to take the test.

Chris waited anxiously until his name was called...by this time 5 people have gone before him.He came onto the "scene" and saw a "crash site" with three victims - one man hanging onto a raft, one guy just floating in the water without a flotation, and a pilot all tangled in a parachute. He followed all of the proper procedures and started getting the people out of the water. About half way through the test, and as he was getting the people out of the water, all of a sudden one of the guys turned on him and begun to drag Chris under the water. The man's arm was tight around Chris' throat, he tore the mask off Chris' face and started to drown Chris. Chris quickly regained control of the situation and that was that.

Within about 20 minutes the test was over...Chris wasn't sure if he passed or failed. He was excused and left the pool area. - The last airman, who was still waiting in the locker room shower area, finally walked into the pool area for his test.

After the last guy took the test all of the Airmen were called back into the pool building and told to line up in formation along the edge of the pool. As they stood there they didn't know whether or not that had passed or failed; they anxiously awaited the words of their instructor. Without a definite yes or no the instructor started with "I am thoroughly impressed with you guys today!" --- and then, with just those words, they knew the good news! He continued "I'm so proud of you guys, and for that reason all of you get a 'GO' today!" Still in formation the class yelled out a happy "HOO RA CHIEF (um, I forgot his name)"

Everyone was so excited and the class went out tonight to celebrate. I believe they'll be going out over the weekend to celebrate even more!!!

----------------

So, what's next...?? Well, during the next 8 weeks Chris will learn how to sew. He'll be able to stitch parachutes, rafts, follow a pattern, make things, etc. The class will also maintain a weekly exercise routine, but it is no where near the intensity of the last 8 weeks. Oh, and there will be no more tests based on results in the pool...well, there is an exit exam on the last day which will consist of a test in the pool...but, word on the street is that it is pretty easy.

Oh, and within the next 4-5 weeks we should know where we will be stationed...yikes!

Phase-Out Multi

This week and next week are going to be the most important weeks of the program thus far. These next two weeks mark the end of the swimmer-stage and then they will be moving onto the sewing stage of the program. Yes, their training in the pool with continue for the next 8 weeks, but it will not be so intense.

The final test that will make-or-break a swimmer continuing, is something called a "Phase-Out Multi." This test is a simulation with multiple victims, debris, and problems - it is as if you have arrived to a crash-site and the swimmer needs to assess the situation and get the victims out of there safely and according to the proper procedure.

Today Chris had a successful practice test. He was actually the ONLY ONE to complete the entire test in the allotted time!! All of the other 6 remaining people in his class failed the practice test for one reason or another.

In the practice test they simulated a boat crash with 6 people in the pool. Each person had a different role/personality. The swimmer (Chris) had to assess the situation and determine who should get helped first, second, third, and so on. And then , of course, get himself out of there unharmed. To help simulate the crash, they have many different things in the pool to represent debris...you are not allowed to touch any of the debris, as in a real situation you may not know exactly what the debris floating really is. Chris got all of the victims out in the proper order, and got himself out in 19 minutes. They had 20 minutes to complete the test. GOOD JOB!!!

So, as I mentioned, this was just the practice test. The REAL DEAL is next Wednesday. Chris knows a little bit about the crash situation and there will only be 3 victims involved...a downed pilot with a parachute, a calm person, and an aggressive person. If Chris can pass this test it is pretty much a SURE THING that he'll be passing the course and graduating in May.

Anyway, so keep him in your thoughts and prayers!!

The final Phase-Out Multi is next Wednesday. So, for all of you out there who wished you could help him along in his journey...you can! I'm sure he could use all your prayers and good thoughts on Wednesday and leading up to the big day.

Pictures from our visit to North Carolina

Yep...we went out to North Carolina to visit with Chris. We had a great time and saw many sites! Here are the pics we took with our camera and I still need to add the pics from Lisa's Camera. I'll be writing in more detail about our trip tomorrow...but, after this, I'm off to bed!

(It's 3am EST!!!)

So...check back on Wednesday and I should have all of the pictures posted!

Thanks for sharing!!

The "Extra" Day

Well...we were supposed to return home on Monday. We had planned the trip so that Lisa could come along and not miss any school...she has school on Tuesdays & Thursdays. So, we were supposed to arrive at LAX Monday night at 11:45pm.

We had a rough morning getting ready to go to the airport. We didn't get in from DC, the night before, until after 3am...and then we were up all night with the baby. (Yes, I have been sleep deprived for 5 months...when does this stop?) Anyway, we were up late and rushing to get packed. We arrived at the airport, returned the car, and walked to check-in. When we got there the lady informed us that all flights have been delayed due to bad weather.

To make a long story short...because our plane was delayed we were going to miss our connector and there wasn't another connector that would get us to LA until the following afternoon! OMG!! I was in shock! Lisa was going to have to miss school and I felt so bad. Nothing like this has ever happened before. It would have been one thing if we were already planning to stay, I mean, we got a good deal on the car & hotel and now we were going to have to pay the "desperate gouged rates!" -- I was just shocked!

On the bright side we were able to spend one more day with Chris. So, we decided to get a hotel in Elizabeth City... the city where Chris is doing his training. Chris gave us a great tour of the small town and we ate at the only sushi restaurant for miles. We ended up getting a really good deal on a room at the new Marriott in town. And, everything worked out for the better.

I guess not all "bad things" are bad things???