Prep Drill Competition!
Yes! The results are in! But that wasn't all that we covered on BMT Grad Day Minus two. The morning started with Intramurals! It is our last intramural coverage for this BMT. We covered all the sports and got some great shots, but I really wanted to give some extra attention to the wrestlers. They work as hard as everyone else, but we have always seemed to just miss their practices! Here's my favorite shot from this morning. (Sorry coach, didn't mean to cut off your head).
There were also a couple of other cool photos to feature from this morning. Of course, I understand that any photo that features your basic will be your favorite. Enjoy finding them. They are all uploaded and ready for viewing in the BMT gallery.
Ok, now to the main event. The Drill Competition. One of my favorite parts of BMT. Here were the rules. Each squadron fielded an all-star Flight containing 3 Elements of 7 Basics with Guidon and Flight Commander. Eight squadron must have 5 Priors (max), 5 Females (min), 5 Recruited Athletes (min). They must all do the same basic elements, but in no set sequence and they can add special moves. Pretty sure the basic elements included facing movements (right face, left face, etc), a salute, parade rest, & attention. Drilling movements should include, foward march, column movements, flanking movements, to the rear march, change step march. As mentioned they can also add a little razzle dazzle, but it is like extra credit. Points are deducted for technical mistakes. It is always the small things that make difference. Considering the direct entry basics only arrived on July 18th, and the Priors probably haven't marched since their original enlisted BMT, seeing this competition is really awesome. The cadet cadre and the priors have done a great teaching job. Watch all three videos, then see who won in the fourth. No cheating. In my book, they are all winners! BTW, please forgive all the background noise. It was out of my control. Also, the fact that I forgot to turn on the microphone for the first 20 seconds of Charlie's routine. That was totally in my control. Sorry.
Here's Alpha.
Here's Bravo!
Here's Charlie!
And Finally, THE WINNER IS...
Tomorrow should be a fun day for the basics and a good photo day for us. It's the hike to the Stanley Canyon reservoir. I'm a little worried about the weather, however. Rain is in the forecast. If it rains, there will be a plan B for the basics. Hopefully we won't have to find out what that is. Keep your fingers crossed.
Ok. That's it for this blog! Congratulations to all three squadrons for the hard work they put into the competition! For the two squadrons who didn't come out on top today, remember the over-all top squadron competition is not over yet. We'll find that out on Saturday. Back tomorrow for BMT Grad minus ONE!