Platform Selection

Continuing on with my posts about Nick and flight training, today was platform selection.

Nick was cool, calm, and collected all day.  I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck and it was hard for me to eat.  Luckily just before we left, I received a surprise package in the mail that put me at ease...at least for the time being.  My nerves did return when selection began.  (I will blog about that tomorrow).

We arrived on base, and went upstairs to the squadron bar and hung out for a while waiting for selection to start.
When it was time, the six selectees at the bar.  The CO asks them to introduce any special guests they have attending, and then begins talking about how proud they were of them, how the hard work needs to continue on, and how they need to remember to thank those that helped them get where they are, such as significant others and other family members.
Then they went around the bar and asked the selectees to give one thing they liked or appreciated about VT-3, one thing they disliked or thought needed some improvement, and then any sort of safety issues they felt should be addressed.

Then it was time for selection.  The VT-3 Red Knight squadron has a very fun and unique way of doing selection.  Although it just prolongs the anxiety, it's fun and the students much more prefer it this way than over how other squadrons do it (which is just sitting in a room and being told what they got.)

Before starting, the CO makes sure everyone has a designated driver there.  Then the selectees go one at a time while sitting at the bar and the CO places a few paper cups in front of them.  On the bottom of each cup are the different platforms, along with some bullshit cups (such as "repeat TBS" if you're a Marine or "repeat Contacts" which is the first part of Primary training).  The student brings their own alcohol and pours a shot into a shot glass in front of them  (they are also told they do not HAVE to drink, it's just a fun social thing so they can shoot water or soda if they want).
They must toast, with the first shot ALWAYS being to the Red Knights, take the shot, then choose a cup, flip it over, and read the bottom.  The CO then says yes or no.  If it's a yes, they're done and they know their platform.  If it's a no, they pour another shot, toast to anything they want, then flip another cup.  They continue to go down the line until they finally reveal their platform.

Reading a cup to the CO

The CO congratulating him.

Nick looking at me, relieved and happy, after finding out he got his first choice!

Below, you can watch Nick's platform selection.  Click the small box in the bottom right hand corner to enlarge the video to full screen:

HELOS!!!!  I cannot tell you how excited we were!!!!!!  (I just love the way he turns and looks at me and smiles after he finds out.)


Afterwards, the CO gives a little talk, which I recorded:

Afterwards, the bar a is open to everyone (selectees, others in VT-3 who are there to watch, friends and family) to drink and enjoy.  It is customary for the selectees to leave whatever liquor they bring and this is how the bar is always stocked and able for open use to everyone.  They also have a keg with beer and a popcorn machine.  Nick and his friends hung out from about 3pm until about 7pm just drinking, celebrating, and playing darts, foosball, ping pong, and some drinking games.

Nick and his partners during Primary.
Mike (to Nick's right) was his on-wing partner.
Greg (to Nick's left) was his forms partner.

Christina and Nick taking a celebratory shot

Nick's class' ceiling tile.
This is his class patch (you can see it on his right shoulder of his flight suit in these photos).  Each class puts their patch's design on a ceiling tile and has it displayed in the bar room.

Nick's classmates that selected today.

Nick behind the Red Knights bar

Each member is also given a framed picture of the T-6 (the plane they flew in Primary) and their classmates sign the mat.  In addition, Nick bought himself a Red Knight t-shirt, a coin (he has quite a few various military coins and they're something he collects.), and a VT-3 glass.  Our good friends also attended and bought him a Training Wing 5 t-shirt (Training Wing 5 is the entire base) and it has a photo of the T-6 on it so he really loved it!

I cannot express just how proud of Nicholas I am.  I've watched him for over a year thoroughly enjoy what he does every single day.  Even the days he didn't have the most perfect flight, he still loved the fact that he was flying.  Even the days he barely had time for a shower, he still loved his flight training.  The days when we would speak 5 words to each other because he was so busy were all completely worth it to see him accomplishing his dreams.  I feel so honored to be his wife and be by side through all of this.  It's amazing to be able to witness his dreams falling into place.  I feel very blessed.  His hard work, dedication, and pure passion for flying paid off today as he was selected for his first choice.
We are both so excited!  While Nick is incredibly sad to be finished flying the T-6 (he now pouts when he sees a T-6 flying over), he is so excited to learn how to fly helicopters.
We are excited to enter into the helo community and we are beyond excited to start a new adventure!!!



So what's next?

Nick's report date is February 06, 2013.
Luckily, we do not move.  His next phase of training is called "Advanced" and it is actually on NAS Whiting Field, the same base we are currently stationed at.
This phase of training typically takes 6-7 months and he will be training on a small helicopter, the TH-57 B/C (Bravo and Charlie models) "Sea Ranger".

After training, Nick will get his wings and officially be a Naval Aviator!  Then it's off to a squadron in the fleet after he selects the specific type of helicopter he will fly to begin his very first sea tour!  (For those asking, this is the point where Nick becomes deployable.)


I wanted to thank our friends and family.  Thank you for the support and encouragement you've provided Nick through his enlistment, Academy days, and now throughout flight school.  It really helps him knowing he has so many people behind him.  The outpouring of love yesterday through phone calls, text messages, emails, Facebook messages and statuses was amazing!  I am not sure how we got so lucky to have so many amazing people in our life, both family and friends, that love us and support us to the extent that you all do!
To my family, you have no idea how much it warms my heart to see the amazing pride you have for Nick.  To know you love and adore him as much as you do me.   The tears of joy, emails, and Facebook statuses you all dedicated to him meant so much.
To my friends, near and far, thank you!  It makes me smile to know so many people demanded I text them as soon as I knew.  On top of family, I probably had a list of about 20 friends who wanted to know as soon as I was able to text.
You all are seriously the best.  I hope you know we wouldn't be here without you.  You continue to support Nick and that drives him to excel in his career and your love and support keeps me strong in this lifestyle while having to be so far from everyone.
To our Milton/Pensacola family, thank you for the support!  Thanks for making our time here so enjoyable.  You are all a big part of why we are excited to stay living here!!!  TEAM HELO ;)


To check out one or two additional videos in addition to a lot more photos (of them hanging out and celebrating, of the bar room, his gifts, etc) {click HERE} and check them out!