The Confidence Course

“Scaling new heights at Lackland AFB! Air Force Recruits face long days and demanding physical challenges as they are transformed from civilians into proud members of the United States Air Force! Lackland AFB, located adjacent to San Antonio, Texas, is the world’s largest military training center.”  This is a card that I bought when I went through basic training there myself, long, long ago.  Note the janitor-style uniforms which, thankfully, were phased out in favor of camouflage.  Also note that, instead of boots, we were allowed to wear sneakers on the Confidence Course.  Afterward, the instructors took us all out for ice cream.  No, not really, but I’m sure that any soldiers or Marines looking at this card are making fun of me.  (As a former airman, I am still entitled to make fun of the Navy.  Except for the SEALs.)

But since we’re on the subject of our men and women in uniform, this is an excellent opportunity to tell you about Move America Forward’s second annual “Troop-a-thon” Care Package Drive, an eight-hour event to be hosted live on 25 June 2009.  According to MAF, “The goal of the project is to send care packages to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. During the 8-hour event that will be broadcast on the Internet, radio and TV, viewers are encouraged to sponsor care packages for the troops as the guests and hosts discuss various topics related to supporting our troops. Care packages will include items that our military personnel have requested, and each comes with a personalized note from the sponsor.”  Last year, they were able to ship 12,000 care packages.

For more information, please visit http://www.troopathon.org.  And tell your friends!