Navy base in Jacksonville
I had a cool experience today, a bunch of my teammates and I went to the Navy base in Jacksonville. We met some of the captains and guys working on the jets and helicopters. They brought us in and put us in the flight simulation and let us do takeoffs and landings. It was amazing, you could see birds and waves - you start thinking it's real, but it's all simulation. I have always thought I was a pretty coordinated person, but this made me feel like I had never played a video game before in my life. They even asked us before we started if any of us had played XBox and we all raised our hands, but there's no comparison. I was amazed at the physical training these guys have to do. They teach them how to eject, if there's a water landing, how to get out, blow up their life vest, blow up the raft and do all of it with 40 pounds of gear on your back. If you have a parachute landing in the water they teach them how to stay untangled. It was incredible all the stuff we saw. There is so much training and knowledge these guys have and it was important for me to see how these guys work to protect our country. We had lunch with the guys and got a chance to ask them questions. For example, when we're late to work we get fined. I asked one of the guys what happens if they're late to work. He said one of the punishments they have is they only get bread and water for three days. Wow. It was really cool getting the chance to meet them and laugh with them and let them know how much I appreciate all that they do to protect our freedom.
mshudson said November 29, 2008