Bag Drag

Before going to Field Training all of the 200s have to participate in a Bag Drag which means that all the upperclassmen and the cadre (made up of Colonel, Major, Captain and the NCOs (Non Commissioned Officers)) will yell at us and look through our bags, making sure we have everything we need. They create a mock Field Training environment to help us prepare for the summer.

At first our Bag Drag was scheduled for last Thursday and so I got up at 0430 and got to the detachment where I was yelled at, had to recite much of the knowledge I have learned this semester, and change through all my uniforms as fast as possible. Seven hours later we were released and exhausted I went home and passed out. A few days later I hear that we would once again have another Bag Drag because too many people had cried.

ARE YOU SERIOUS PEOPLE???? I was furious and could not believe that in a short amount of time 4 of the 22 cadets going to Field Training had cried. It is ridiculous behavior for those who are planning to try and get into the Air Force. It was discouraging in a way because I had done so well and to have to do another Bag Drag was not what I desired. But this past Friday I got up at 0400 and went to the detachment to go through screaming and yelling and emptying of my bag. It was totally pointless. Thankfully no one cried so we will not be having another one.

I am a sophomore in college and since it is the end of the semester I am slammed with work. On top of that I have to get up Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 0500 to do either PT or go to prep class for Field Training. Having to do two Bag Drags on top of that has made me stressed and exhausted beyond belief. Sometimes I find it frustrating when I hear other FSU students complain about finals or having to wake up at 0800. I’m like REALLY?????? I’ve been up since 0500 and can hardly keep my eyes open. It can be quite discouraging when I have to stay up until 0200 writing a paper and then have to wake up three hours later to go workout with the Air Force.

And yet I don’t complain. I want to be here. I asked for all of this. My dream is to be in the Air Force, it is to be an officer, and it is to be the best leader I can possibly be to those enlisted members that I will someday be in charge of. While I often complain and occasionally want to quit, I never do, because my dream of being in the Air Force powers me through each day. Knowing that some day I will be in the greatest military, the greatest Air Force in the world, is so encouraging and makes me so proud. To wake up early each day, when I get to wear the uniform, I know that I can make it. I know that I will be able to finish my classes with good grades and always turn in my homework on time. And if it means I have to give up hanging out with friends sometimes, or watching my favorite show, I am happy to do so because this is exactly where I want to be.

Until next post…

Service Dress Uniform