My post about my Air Force life was of basic training. I would to talk about Tech School.I went into the Air Force with a guaranteed assignment as a Medic. About half way through basic I was called out of morning formation with several others and given instructions to report to the CBPO building. We looked at each other and got into a little formation and marched to the building as ordered. It was a nice little march. We were glad to be away from the rest of the Flight and be able to take a breather. When we reached the CBPO we went in and was greeted by a Staff Sergeant who gave us instructions to report to a huge meeting room. We went in and sat at attention, something we now did without even thinking about it. About 5 minutes later a "butter bar" (Second Lieutenant), Came in quickly we stood at attention and was ordered at ease. We sat down again and again without thinking we sat at attention. The LT reminded us his command of at ease. He then proceeded to say "Airman, we regret to inform you that we have to break our contract with you. At this moment you have no duty code that was promised to you when you signed up. You have a choice at this time. 1. Walk out that door, get on the bus and go home. If you do this you will not be allowed to come back for another 6 months. or 2. You can walk through this door and accept the assignment we give you. You will still have your enlistment and can continue on and finish basic. I will give you 5 minutes to decide and walk through the door of your choice. He then set a timer and walked out. We looked at each other in shock. All I ever wanted was to be a medic in the military. I was mad. I thought of walking out the door to go home. But, I did not come this far to give up. I thought of my pregnant wife at home we needed me stay and have the benefits and pay. I thought how can I just walk away? I loved the military and wanted desperately to be a part of it. About this time the timer went off. This female Airman First Class walked in and said "It is time to make your decisions now. Without hesitation I walked through the door for another assignment.
There were less of us in the new room. Now a Captain walked in with several Airman First Class. He said "Ok, listen up. I will be handing out these white envelopes with your new assignments. Once you open them you accept the assignments. Think long and hard before you open them. Once you break the seal and read what you just accepted you will be escorted to another area where you will sign your new enlistment papers. He called our names and one by one we were given the white envelopes with our names on them. He again reminded us about not to open them unless we truly wanted to stay in the Air Force. We all hesitated for a bit. My buddy to my left opened his first and put his head in his palms and said no no. My heart started beating real hard. I took a deep breath and opened my packet.
Airman Basic Root, Darryl J. you are to report to Lowery AFB, Denver, Colorado upon completion of Air Force Basic Training and be trained as a United States Aero Space Dinning Hall Food Service Technician. At Lowery AFB you will receive your first duty assignment. We wish you the very best God Speed.
I raised my hand and asked what a Dinning Hall Food Service Technician is. The Captain laughed and said. "Son, you are going to be a cook" He laughed again and the rest of the group laughed with him. He nodded to one of the Airman who in turn cam up to me and escorted me to the next station were as we say in the Military "Signed my life away."
I do not remember the march back to our flight as my mind was buzzing. I kept saying to myself. A cook! A f**ing cook. I had a lump in my throat and knot in my stomach. When we got back we were instructed into our Drill instructor's office were he gave us a briefing of what happened while we were away and instructions for the rest of the day. He then asked how many of us were reassigned as cooks. My buddy, myself and a couple of others raised our hands and said "Here Sir!" He excused the rest and had us stand at ease. He said "Boys, I want you to understand, You will contribute to this man's Air Force. You are just as important as the fly boy or the special ops folks or anybody else. You are a part of the 02nd!! You are a part of this flight!! When you leave here in a few weeks, You will represent us and be the best damn Airman we cranked out. Do I make myself clear?"
In unison we yelled "Sir, Yes Sir"
"dismissed!"
From that point forward I was called cookie 3 and the rest were cookie1, 2, and 4.
When we graduated from Basic we were told not to hoop and holler on the bus or the driver will turn around and bring us back to start all over again from day 1. I got on the bus and as second nature sat at attention and I stayed that way all the way to the Airport. When we left Lackland Air Force Base, the rest of the bus was doing what we were told not to do. I got on the plane once again sitting at attention. When we were in the air I let out a sigh of relief and started to relax.
Denver was GORGEOUS!!! But the altitude sucked the life out of you. They did not call it the Mile High City for nothing.
