The (self-proclaimed) GreatDane still exists!
I believe unfortunately, LiveJournal was one of those fads that came and went. I used to have a paid account that I renewed several times - way back when. It doesn't seem that any of my old livejournal buddies are still on this thing. I assume nobody will respond to this update, but that's ok. It's more for my benefit than yours anyway.
So in my last update, I was working a transition job on “casual” status while I awaited my August 6th “Space 100” class date. I had a wonderful time in the 4SLS. Everyone there, both officer and enlisted, issued a warm welcome into the air force. I made several friends - one of which turned out to be my roommate a few months later.
Space 100 was much harder than I imagined. The 90% passing standard was no joke. I failed the 1st test with an 88 (one question below the 90% standard). I was angry with my failure. I studied as hard as I was able to manage yet came up short. Not to mention, I was only one question behind the curve, AND the instructor directly mislead me in response to a test question. Whatever. I remained professional. U.S. Air Force Acquisitions has never been my forte nor do I hope it ever will be. It was damn boring and about 2 inches thick. So much information came flying at you in a little over a week, the instructors said it was like standing in front of a fire hose.
For failing the 1st test I was enrolled in S-I-A (Specialized/Supplemental? Individual Assistance) a mandatory after-class studyhall. In theory it’s designed to assist those who need extra help. In practicality it took an extra hour from my day and forced me to study in uncomfortable surroundings (uniform, cold room, uncomfortable desk, loud noises… the list could go on). I did not lack study time - I lacked test-taking ability. I did not lack effort - I needed to get inside the mind of the test. SIA seemed horrendously unpractical and I became angry with the system. Additionally a comprehensive “Why are you an idiot?” failure report was completed. The questions contained therein made me want to vomit while choking on the words, “all I did was get an 88!” Sheesh. It was as if they’d put me in front of the most wacko psychologist who would receive a bonus if he found something wrong with me. The questions were invasive and ranged from “How long did you study for this test?” to “Are there problems at home?” to “Do you have negative feelings about the air force?” I hated it at the time, but now I realize the significance of such a thing. I suppose they have to filter out the ones who’ve managed to slip thought the cracks. Nonetheless it adds to the cut-throat, backstabbing appearance of the air force today. They’re “downsizing” aka “they’re looking for someone to lay off”.
Meanwhile test two’s date snuck up on me - exactly one week (and about 1.5 inches of double-sided 8.5x11 text about the space environment and orbital mathematics and mechanics) later. To my instructors’ and my delight I nearly aced the exam with a whopping 98%. I only missed one, and it was another test taking error. The success felt great and my confidence was restored. It was a good thing because the Acquisitions retake was in a few days.
Acquisitions [take 2] really had me frustrated for several reasons: 1) I only failed by one friggin question. 2) The instructor directed me away from the correct answer. 3) They forced me to stay afterward for an hour or more every day which pulled me from flight activities. 4) The failure added to an arguably pre-existent inferiority complex, probably due to immaturity. All in all, I wasn’t thrilled about it. With bitterness overriding my conscious and clouding my thought process I drug myself to school and retook the test a few hours before regularly scheduled class time. The result was the same. Eighty-freakin-eight. Now I was in real trouble.
A failed test is one thing, but a failed retake is something else (in the eyes of the 392TRS). Foolish errors were made left and right. This test was not failed due to lack of knowledge whatsoever. Something was in the way of my determination. I was fighting the system and myself at the same time. Neither was a recipe for success. The 2nd failure meant a special Training Review Board would be scheduled in addition to another “Why are you and idiot” form.
It was not entirely surprising that the TRB was similar to the Idiot Form. Basically they asked me the same questions I’d been forced to answer on paper (plus a few more). To my surprise, they liked what I had to say! I told them that in college I would have celebrated with an 88%. I also explained that most of my test errors were exactly that. Test errors. I explained that I could have hour-long conversations about the subject matter, but when it comes to 50-question tests covering the massive information flow that had been pelted into our tired brains in the previous week I was dead in the water. Apparently they liked it because they agreed to offer a third attempt on Acquisitions. This time I passed. 98%
So for the majority of the course I had been simultaneously studying for two blocks at the same time. Test three was also a failure. 88%. Another TRB was assembled. This time they recommended that I should be washed back into the next class of students. Basically, they told me I could try again… next time. So with humiliation and a fear of 90%, I left my friends of class 07-07 and joined 07-08.
This time the tests were not so difficult. In fact the hardest thing about retaking space 100 was the monotony. The same jokes were told by the same people at the same times and class reactions were somewhat the same. Students complained about the same things. Professors gave the same defenses. It was truly déjà vu in a creepy twilight zone sort-of-way. But all is well that ends well. I graduated with an allocation to Schriever AFB (Colorado Springs, CO).
Since then, I’ve been in Satellite Command and Control training here at Vandenberg. It will be March 10th before I’m done with Vandyland. SatC2 training is one of the longer post-space100 courses. It’s been much easier than the 392nd and frankly much less organized. It feels like they’re making it up each day, just floating the breeze with no plan whatsoever. It’s not uncommon to arrive for the night shift at 1530 and wait until 1830 before doing a damn thing. Other students like to complain, and I concede with them, our time could be used much more productively; however we’re being paid rather well to play foosball.
I am totally ready for Colorado Springs. I heard that I will be working GPS when I get there. 2SOPS here I come. California has been good, but it’s time for me to go. I will have been here one year come March. That’s enough. I will miss the surfing though!
That’s enough for now. More to come.
So in my last update, I was working a transition job on “casual” status while I awaited my August 6th “Space 100” class date. I had a wonderful time in the 4SLS. Everyone there, both officer and enlisted, issued a warm welcome into the air force. I made several friends - one of which turned out to be my roommate a few months later.
Space 100 was much harder than I imagined. The 90% passing standard was no joke. I failed the 1st test with an 88 (one question below the 90% standard). I was angry with my failure. I studied as hard as I was able to manage yet came up short. Not to mention, I was only one question behind the curve, AND the instructor directly mislead me in response to a test question. Whatever. I remained professional. U.S. Air Force Acquisitions has never been my forte nor do I hope it ever will be. It was damn boring and about 2 inches thick. So much information came flying at you in a little over a week, the instructors said it was like standing in front of a fire hose.
For failing the 1st test I was enrolled in S-I-A (Specialized/Supplemental? Individual Assistance) a mandatory after-class studyhall. In theory it’s designed to assist those who need extra help. In practicality it took an extra hour from my day and forced me to study in uncomfortable surroundings (uniform, cold room, uncomfortable desk, loud noises… the list could go on). I did not lack study time - I lacked test-taking ability. I did not lack effort - I needed to get inside the mind of the test. SIA seemed horrendously unpractical and I became angry with the system. Additionally a comprehensive “Why are you an idiot?” failure report was completed. The questions contained therein made me want to vomit while choking on the words, “all I did was get an 88!” Sheesh. It was as if they’d put me in front of the most wacko psychologist who would receive a bonus if he found something wrong with me. The questions were invasive and ranged from “How long did you study for this test?” to “Are there problems at home?” to “Do you have negative feelings about the air force?” I hated it at the time, but now I realize the significance of such a thing. I suppose they have to filter out the ones who’ve managed to slip thought the cracks. Nonetheless it adds to the cut-throat, backstabbing appearance of the air force today. They’re “downsizing” aka “they’re looking for someone to lay off”.
Meanwhile test two’s date snuck up on me - exactly one week (and about 1.5 inches of double-sided 8.5x11 text about the space environment and orbital mathematics and mechanics) later. To my instructors’ and my delight I nearly aced the exam with a whopping 98%. I only missed one, and it was another test taking error. The success felt great and my confidence was restored. It was a good thing because the Acquisitions retake was in a few days.
Acquisitions [take 2] really had me frustrated for several reasons: 1) I only failed by one friggin question. 2) The instructor directed me away from the correct answer. 3) They forced me to stay afterward for an hour or more every day which pulled me from flight activities. 4) The failure added to an arguably pre-existent inferiority complex, probably due to immaturity. All in all, I wasn’t thrilled about it. With bitterness overriding my conscious and clouding my thought process I drug myself to school and retook the test a few hours before regularly scheduled class time. The result was the same. Eighty-freakin-eight. Now I was in real trouble.
A failed test is one thing, but a failed retake is something else (in the eyes of the 392TRS). Foolish errors were made left and right. This test was not failed due to lack of knowledge whatsoever. Something was in the way of my determination. I was fighting the system and myself at the same time. Neither was a recipe for success. The 2nd failure meant a special Training Review Board would be scheduled in addition to another “Why are you and idiot” form.
It was not entirely surprising that the TRB was similar to the Idiot Form. Basically they asked me the same questions I’d been forced to answer on paper (plus a few more). To my surprise, they liked what I had to say! I told them that in college I would have celebrated with an 88%. I also explained that most of my test errors were exactly that. Test errors. I explained that I could have hour-long conversations about the subject matter, but when it comes to 50-question tests covering the massive information flow that had been pelted into our tired brains in the previous week I was dead in the water. Apparently they liked it because they agreed to offer a third attempt on Acquisitions. This time I passed. 98%
So for the majority of the course I had been simultaneously studying for two blocks at the same time. Test three was also a failure. 88%. Another TRB was assembled. This time they recommended that I should be washed back into the next class of students. Basically, they told me I could try again… next time. So with humiliation and a fear of 90%, I left my friends of class 07-07 and joined 07-08.
This time the tests were not so difficult. In fact the hardest thing about retaking space 100 was the monotony. The same jokes were told by the same people at the same times and class reactions were somewhat the same. Students complained about the same things. Professors gave the same defenses. It was truly déjà vu in a creepy twilight zone sort-of-way. But all is well that ends well. I graduated with an allocation to Schriever AFB (Colorado Springs, CO).
Since then, I’ve been in Satellite Command and Control training here at Vandenberg. It will be March 10th before I’m done with Vandyland. SatC2 training is one of the longer post-space100 courses. It’s been much easier than the 392nd and frankly much less organized. It feels like they’re making it up each day, just floating the breeze with no plan whatsoever. It’s not uncommon to arrive for the night shift at 1530 and wait until 1830 before doing a damn thing. Other students like to complain, and I concede with them, our time could be used much more productively; however we’re being paid rather well to play foosball.
I am totally ready for Colorado Springs. I heard that I will be working GPS when I get there. 2SOPS here I come. California has been good, but it’s time for me to go. I will have been here one year come March. That’s enough. I will miss the surfing though!
That’s enough for now. More to come.