DailyDrum Issue 4

Pics of the Day

NCO Academy guidon NCO Academy cadets

Training Staff Daily Factoid

Eat one live toad each morning when you wake up and nothing worse can happen to you that day. (

Daily Poll

Once again the DailyDrum is working hard to see what you, the cadets think. Today’s question was: Do you plan to return to encampment next year? If so, would you like to come back on staff or in the NCO academy? 70 cadets were polled.

NCOA – 18% STAFF – 74% NO - 8%

Power Outage

The encampment was surprised on Tuesday evening by a power outage! Hence the delay in getting today’s DailyDrum to you.

Orientation Flights Continue

Lt Col Diane Wojtowicz and Lt Col Bill Hughes arrived on Sunday to coordinate Cadet Orientation Flights at the encampment. They were assisted by C/SMSgt Katie Wieczorek and 11 senior member orientation pilots. 92 front seat flights and 172 back seat flights were made (counting each cadet as one flight).

Letters to the DailyDrum

We are all excited to see the flights responding by sending us letters. Today we received a lot of letters - unfortunately too many to publish them all. Please know that they are all appreciated!

The first day I arrived at Fort Drum, I tossed my gear into the locker with little care for proper organization. The next day they told us that they would be fully inspecting each locker. At first I was scared, but if you think about it, in the hour that they give you at barracks time, you might as well take the time to do it well. Once I completed it, it gave me some pride that boosted my spirits. Now I just make small adjustments to keep it looking good. If you don’t keep your locker clean with those small adjustments, not only do you end up back where you started, but you will also affect your whole flight’s performance at inspection. You can save a lot of time by making small changes to your locker rather than letting it get really messy before you clean it up.

C/SrA Brendan Kelly
CIF, C Flight

Tensions run high towards the end of the day as it becomes time to announce honor and warrior flight. On Sunday night a cheer ran through the formation as our flight (Bravo) was named honor flight and Foxtrot warrior flight. On Monday night Foxtrot earned honor flight and Golf earned warrior flight. For tonight and the rest of the week who knows what will happen? We can only try our best and cross our fingers.

C/Amn Avrohom Katz
CIF, Bravo Flight

Dear DailyDrum,

We here at golf flight are deeply insulted that Charlie Flight stole our motivation check.

Golf Flight

(Editor’s Note: Credit was not granted for SET due to the skimpiness of this letter and the fact that it did not contain the name(s) of the person(s) who wrote it.)

Dear DailyDrum,

Motivation checks are hard to come by these days. As a matter of fact it is very difficult for flights to come up with an original one. Apparently since its so hard for flights to come up with such checks, they are willing to so steal those of others. Allow me to bring to your attention the Golf/Charlie flight incident on 30 July. Both of the flights had the same motivation check, but only one of the flights won warrior flight. I think that since both flights had the same check, none of them should have won because they stole from each other. I call this “Grand Theft Motivation.”

C/Capt Paul Dolce
Delta Flight/CC

To the PAO:

I just want to let you know that this is my very first encampment. I am really enjoying it thus far. It is really more than what I expected. I am really looking forward to coming back next summer.

I really enjoy being around all the other female cadets in Squadron 1 and B flight. We have awesome teamwork, especially when it comes to making our bunks and cleaning our barracks. I also enjoy it because at home I am the only female in my squadron. I really like our flight staff because they treat everyone equally including the females.

C/A1C Shaunté A. Sherrod, CAP
CIF, Bravo Flight

Life in CAP was hard – so are these first couple of days at encampment. I’ve worked extremely hard to give it my best, not only physically but mentally (and at some points, emotionally). I miss being home and I miss my family, but this is like another home to me, and Echo Flight is like another family (temporarily). Home or not, I push myself to the limit (as before, physically and mentally).

C/A1C Fernando X. Jimenez
CIF, Echo Flight

Bombing Range Trip

This morning, cadets from Bravo and Charlie Flights went to the bombing range. When the cadets arrived at the range, two people from the USAF answered questions that the cadets had. A few moments later, the bus driver found out that they were at the wrong range. After they got to where the action was, the cadets went into the trenches that were there. Cadets also got to wear Kevlar helmets and vests. After a few minutes, an A-10 Warthog flew by and strafed a target. The aircraft turned around and engaged the target once more before we left the range for lunch. Most cadets greatly enjoyed the activity. If you have not gone yet, don’t worry - your time will soon come.

Drug Demand Reduction Class

On Monday, Delta Flight went to the drug and alcohol prevention class. The class was interesting and very factual. I learned more during this class than in my school’s health class. We first discussed the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. Then we wore goggles that showed how your judgment is impaired while you are under the influence. We then got free wooden airplanes, pencils, and first aid kits. This class was really cool.

C/SSgt Chris Ceccarelli
CIF, Delta Flight

Cadets listen intently as Mrs. Rita Barker teaches DDR class

The Daily Drum is brought to you by your Public Affairs Office:

C/2d Lt Jacob Uriel, OIC
C/MSgt Jenniffer Frye, Reporter/Photographer
C/SSgt Daniel Cocozzelli, Reporter/Photographer
C/SSgt Danielle Ayala, Reporter/Photographer
Maj Malcolm Dickinson, Mentor

All cadets are encouraged to win honor and acclaim for their flight by submitting articles for publication in the Daily Drum in accordance with these article submission guidelines:

· Submissions must contain the writer’s full name, grade, and flight/staff position clearly written on the top.

· Submissions must be clearly legible and must be written in black ink.

· Submissions should be given to your flight staff.

· Submissions that are submitted before lights out will be considered for the next day’s issue.

· Submissions may be edited for space and clarity.

· Submit long or short; serious or amusing; true or tall tales!

Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance