Time for a break from my spree of philosophical posts to discuss what’s going on in our first two weeks of pilot training. Technically, C hasn’t actually started yet. Since we’re Guard, we were required to report to our base 10 business days prior to his start-date, which means, we were here two weeks early. (Those from the Academy or ROTC programs could have been here for several months already, awaiting training, and have been assigned various jobs around base while they wait.) Those two weeks are designed to let families (or individuals) settle into their new homes and for the lieutenant to complete a massive list called in-processing. Every time we go to a new base or C goes to a new training he has to in-process (and out-process when he leaves). The steps fluctuate somewhat, but because of the nature of this extensive program, the list is pretty long. The tasks vary from signing up for Tricare medical to attending orientations and briefings (what we refer to as “death by PowerPoint”). Of course, these irresponsible new officers cannot be trusted to complete the tasks on their own, so C has to report for check-in each morning at 8 a.m. and is dismissed at 11:30. The time is to be spent checking off items on the in-processing checklist or completing other menial tasks. Personally, I consider it a bit of a waste of time, but at least it provides us with a regular schedule to get used to.
There is one event on the checklist that new AF pilots everywhere look forward to more than any other: the fitting and reception of the G-suit, helmet, and mask.
The helmet and mask are pretty self-explanatory (if you’re not sure, reference Top Gun for an example), but what is this apparatus called a G-suit, you might be wondering? Wikipedia says,
A G-suit, or the more accurately named anti-G suit, is worn by aviators and astronauts who are subject to high levels of acceleration force ('Gs'). It is designed to prevent a black-out and G-LOC (G-induced Loss Of Consciousness) caused by the blood pooling in the lower part of the body when under acceleration, thus depriving the brain of blood. (2010).
Sounds like a pretty handy device to me. Here’s what it looks like:
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| Picture from: flighthelmet.com |
While being fitted for these contraptions may not sound like the most exciting task to most of us, to the pilot it is an indicator of things to come. In short, the necessity for a helmet, mask, and G-suit signifies that he (or she) will have need for them – meaning that sometime in the near future they themselves will be “pulling G’s” in acrobatic maneuvers. Now that is exciting.
