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My son is off to Basic Training
IronJack ^ | June 22, 2016 | IronJack

Posted on 06/21/2016 4:37:30 PM PDT by IronJack

Just a bittersweet vanity thread announcing that my 18-year-old son left today for Air Force Basic Training. This is a boy -- a man now -- who has gone through a lot in his short life. A few years ago, he turned it around and started on a rigorous road of introspection and self-improvement. And it worked.

This is finishing school for him. He has been training to be an Air Force Combat Controller for the last 18 months.

Today, he stopped being ours and became the property of this country. He will do it proud.


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: airforce; basictraining; combatcontrol
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To: 2banana
How do you train to be an Air Force Combat Controller for the last 18 months as a civilian before basic training?

A lot of running, swimming, pull-ups, sit-ups, and weights.

41 posted on 06/21/2016 6:01:57 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: All

Thank you all for your kind words. This crusty old fool is having a little trouble seeing the screen ...


42 posted on 06/21/2016 6:05:33 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: IronJack

God bless you and your son and your family. Thank you.


43 posted on 06/21/2016 6:15:17 PM PDT by TEXOKIE (We must surrender only to our Holy God and never to the evil that has befallen us.)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

Beautiful poignant message, Trump Girl Kit Cat!!
Our brave troops absolutely deserve a Commander-in-Chief who will have their back and equip them with the finest weaponry and winning strategy to exact VICTORY!!
GOD BLESS YOUR SON FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY!!


44 posted on 06/21/2016 6:24:54 PM PDT by edie1960
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To: IronJack

Good luck to him.

Mustard
USAF Loadmaster
‘72-’76


45 posted on 06/21/2016 6:28:31 PM PDT by Mustard (tt)
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To: IronJack

If he’s been hitting the gym, getting ready for CCT training, basic will be a breeze. Yeah, the MTIs will play the usual mind games but after a few days, your son and the rest of his flight will settle into the routine.

The real adventure begins after he completes basic. As I recall, the screening course for CCT and pararescue at still at Lackland. The daily push-up and pull-up count will be in the hundreds and they run everywhere. Selection school is only two weeks long; then its on to Keesler AFB, MS for 15 weeks, followed by Army Airborne School at Benning and USAF Survival School at Fairchild.

That’s followed by 13 weeks at Pope/Fort Bragg for initial qual as a CCT. Once complete, they go on for 12-15 months of special tactics training, including free fall parachuting and dive school. Total training pipeline is well over two years long.

I’m sure you’ve heard this in great detail from your son, but many people outside the USAF have never heard of CCT, pararescue, combat weather and special tactics—all a part of the special ops community. The training is rigorous, but it sounds like your son has the fitness foundation and the right mindset to succeed. And on top of everything else, he has to attain and maintain currency as an air traffic controller as a member of CCT.

Those men who wear the scarlet beret are truly the best of the best. Best of luck to your son. He will be in very elite company in the near future.


46 posted on 06/21/2016 6:29:50 PM PDT by ExNewsExSpook
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To: IronJack

Noble but im sorry to hear that. He should have waited if he could. The military is a terrible place now. It is something a father could be proud of though the pride in such a son is not dimished.


47 posted on 06/21/2016 6:33:41 PM PDT by Sequoyah101 (It feels like we have exchanged our dreams for survival. We just have a few days that don't suck.)
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To: IronJack

Just remember boy. Deep down, he really cares about you.

-In regards to the DDI


48 posted on 06/21/2016 6:35:16 PM PDT by Organic Panic
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To: ExNewsExSpook
That's the pipeline he's in. He's got all the physical qualifications for Combat Control selection. He was originally planning to go Para, but the Water Course spooked him.

He is looking forward to testing himself. The military is the best place in the world to do that. And CCT is one of the best of the best.

Thanks for your feedback.

49 posted on 06/21/2016 6:38:41 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: IronJack
"My son is off to Basic Training.

I got a gal that lives on a hill,

She won't do it but her sister will.

Am I right or wrong,

Tell me if I'm wrong..

Oh...sorry...I guess their not allowed to sing those songs anymore...

I hope he has as good of a time as I did... Sure, it gets ruff once in a while, but the value of what is learned in service to our country is...invaluable. It will last a man a lifetime...

:)

50 posted on 06/21/2016 6:39:07 PM PDT by unread (Joe McCarthy was right.......)
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To: IronJack

Bet you are proud. Prayers up for your wonderful son as he embarks on the next chapter of his life and that God will shield him from all harm. Prayers up for you, too. Sometimes difficult to trust God to keep him safe and send him back to you, particularly when you haven’t seen or talked to him for a while.


51 posted on 06/21/2016 6:39:36 PM PDT by Grams A (The Sun will rise in the East in the morning and God is still on his throne.)
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To: IronJack

Godspeed!


52 posted on 06/21/2016 6:48:16 PM PDT by headstamp 2 (Fear is the mind killer.)
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To: IronJack

It is truly bitter sweet, you have to be proud and happy for your boy but know you will miss him a lot. I know, myy son leaves for basic training next week. If your boy is going to Texas, they will be there at the time.


53 posted on 06/21/2016 7:10:32 PM PDT by dangerdoc ((this space for rent))
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To: IronJack

God Bless your son and your family!


54 posted on 06/21/2016 7:38:39 PM PDT by madrastex
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To: IronJack

Congrats! My son did 7 years in the USAF, and my nephew also is USAF vet.


55 posted on 06/21/2016 7:40:39 PM PDT by visualops (It's the majority of the American people and Trump against the enemies of the republic - Windflier)
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To: IronJack

Congratulations to you and to your son.

My youngest really gained from his six year term. Just visited him a few weeks ago and I am very proud of him as well.

Tell your son if he gets to Luke to look me up.


56 posted on 06/21/2016 7:43:32 PM PDT by KC Burke (Consider all of my posts as first drafts. (Apologies to L. Niven))
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To: dangerdoc

He is going to Texas. Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. My son will be in good company then ...


57 posted on 06/21/2016 7:48:19 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: KC Burke

Luke?


58 posted on 06/21/2016 7:48:54 PM PDT by IronJack
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To: IronJack

Congratulations. And thank you for sharing. You can see what your news means to others here. My nephew recently finished basic. He is stationed in Colorado Springs now. He is in the satellite business.


59 posted on 06/21/2016 8:04:09 PM PDT by Daaave ("AlI ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by")
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To: IronJack

Good luck to him.


60 posted on 06/21/2016 8:33:26 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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