Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Hi, my name is Elizabeth. I am 24 and an A1C in the United States Air Force. I am currently attending 1C6 technical training at Vandenberg AFB in Central CA. I have participated with CU LASP and NASA on the civilian side and I'm excited to participate with Air Force Space Command as a traditional and full time Reservist! (Expect motivational posts, personal updates and workout routines.) If you have a question about basic training, please let me know. Want to ask me something? My Personal Tumblr!

[intothewildbluyonder]

Basic Training Advice...

I graduated USAF basic training in February 2014 with honor grad. If you are leaving soon or are in a DEP program, feel free to ask me a question or two!

[intothewildbluyonder]

My current tech school class!

[intothewildbluyonder]

I have not forgotten you Tumblr blog!

Hello interwubs. I've been really busy at Vandenberg AFB here in CA. As of April 17th I've been here for 2 months as a tech school student. You cannot beat being in Central California, it's amazing. Undergrad Space Training has been an intense amount of material in a very short time. My average is 98% and I graduate about a week from now (at that point I'll move onto my satellite command + control follow on until June).

[intothewildbluyonder]

I’m back! Graduated US Air Force bmt with honors (narrowly missing Warhawk, more on that later). I am now one week into tech school in Cali, it’s amazing here.

[intothewildbluyonder]

Here I go!!!

Be back in 8.5, just landed in San Antonio...

[intothewildbluyonder]

HNNNNNGH

I LEAVE TOMORROW. OH GOD. I out-process today in a couple of hours and then my flight's around noon tomorrow. Pros: finally going, got my dream job, only two months, getting student loans paid off with kickers, going in winter, because I'm departing Wednesday I miss zero night...

Cons: really rethinking I should have pursued going officer, no beer for 3+ months, enlisted BMT in general... Y'all get it. So very strange packing so little to fly somewhere. I'm sure my OCD is going to drive me nuts.

[intothewildbluyonder]

One Week

One week left until I depart. These days seemed so far away, in what seems like such a small expanse of time since this summer, when I was issued the December 17th date. This last weekend was my last D&TF UTA. I was given the Dorm Chief assignment, student leadership again. Many of the "trainees" were very complaint and the weekend was very much relaxed compared to the usual tempo. I cut two minutes off my 1.5 mile run, 50 sit ups in a minute and 40 push ups in a minute. Passing (and extra) for liberator standards for BMT graduation. I feel good about departing in this state at least, I hope that I can excel standards with the hard work I'll be investing. Additionally, our mini flight held a low tempo Holiday party and the command staff from my future squadron came for a visit. I was met with a friendly reception from individuals who already knew my name. I particularly hit it off with my squadron's Lt. Colonel and Ops Major. While the other trainees going into the squad were talking about what it takes to advance/become officer, I was laughing with Field grade Officers about how awesome Atlas V rockets are to see launch in person. It was absolutely remarkable to get recognition for my part in the D&TF, to get a pat on the back BEFORE I even depart to BMT. I know they're counting on me to do awesome. Bags are mostly packed. It's slightly disturbing packing so little for a 6 month departure. When I travel for business, it's not unusual for me to travel with 6 or so bags of merchandise and personal affects. Less is more. Less is more.

[intothewildbluyonder]

Communication

Good lord. Finally got a hold of a recruiter after months of silence and awkward back and forth communication. I enlisted in February, I've been attending development and training flight UTA weekends since May and I ship December 17th, in about two weeks. My recruiter accepted an out of state promotion and left in July. Since then I've been passed hands and told, "I'll be taken care of." Reserve recruiting is incredibly understaffed in the state of Colorado this year, they tell me. You know what makes departing for BMT more stressful? Not having everything ready to go/having a million questions 2 weeks before you depart. Omgish. I have a meeting this afternoon with a sympathetic recruiter who finally answered one of my messages. *phew*

[spacettf]

MAVEN Atlas V Launch (201311180001HQ) by NASA HQ PHOTO on Flickr.

Via Flickr: The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) spacecraft launches from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41, Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA’s Mars-bound spacecraft, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, or MAVEN, is the first spacecraft devoted to exploring and understanding the Martian upper atmosphere. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

[intothewildbluyonder]

I actually attended this launch last weekend in FL. I traveled with Colorado University Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics. It was an amazing trip. We had VIP access to Cape Canaveral to few the launch. Lots of love and research from Colorado to the red planet. Mars or bust!!!

[intothewildbluyonder]

Excuse the horrible photo, I was helping with my family day tear down (shweaty). Looket these goofs. <3

[alicia063]

One Team. One Fight. No Matter The Branch, We All Have The Same Goal.

[intothewildbluyonder]

This year for Veteran's Day we pigged out (I know it was a while ago, shush). TX Roadhouse for lunch, Krispie Kreme for snack and California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. Also scored free haircuts and free oil changes for our vehicles. Thankful for the companies that allow us to be fatty service members!  Look at my cutie being all derpy and stuff.

[duckuwu]

[asoldierslittlesister-deactivat]

respect 

[jedinate]

[intothewildbluyonder]

Happy Veteran's Day to those who have served, those who are serving and those who will serve. Bless you.

[intothewildbluyonder]

I actually just created a tumblr so I can hear from others who are pursuing an Air Force Officer role. I found your page very inspirational and I am glad to have come across it. Thank you. :)

That's awesome, thanks for letting me know!

[intothewildbluyonder]

FOREVER

I've been away from this little blog forever. Sorry not sorry. Life has been busy. I've now attended 6 UTA (unit training assemblies) with my unit in the Development and Training Flight program. My ship date for BMT is December 17th, I have about a month until I leave. I'm anxious to go so I can attend monthly drills with my unit as more than a Trainee, the program is very useful and is no doubt helping me but it's also, at the same time, rather jarring. This last UTA I'll be attending (Dec 6th and 7th) I'll be acting student leader again (dorm chief), the various levels of experience in this program proves to try my patience at times, but the leadership experience is useful.

[intothewildbluyonder]

Last PT Scores

We're doing PT tests every months now. Not my favorite. Alas, July PT test. Push ups: 30 in 1 min

Sit ups: 32 in 1 min

1.5 mile run: 13:39 min

My max push up was better than probably 3/4 of the training flight (MALES included, weak!) - but because I push so damn hard my abs are burning too badly to do well on the sit ups. Next test is Aug UTA on the 3rd, I hope I improve!