AO: Three Rivers
When: 05/08/2023
Number of Pax: 10
DR Names:
Number of FNGS: 0
FNG Names:
QIC: Squidward
Introduction
I didn’t get out Monday morning so I was itchy to get after it at our evening beat down.
Warm-O-Rama
- Daisy Pickers (x10)
- Willy Mays Hayes (x10)
- Motivators (from 6)
- Calf stretches (10 count each leg)
The Thang
This was one long, alternating Thang. Had everyone partner up with rucks or weighted vests on. One partner farmer carried both coupons around the outer path of 3R, while the other partner completed 10 Merkins. Once the partner was complete with their Merkins, they ran up to catch their partner, then switched.
We stopped at intervals along the path to complete various exercised with our rucks. I purposely chose PAX that had not Q’d yet to lead us, ensuring that they followed the proper procedure for leading the exercise.
We made it to the north playground where I had everyone drop rucks, then we completed a series of pull-up’s, incline pull-up’s, and dips.
We headed back south to our “home” pavilion where we executed a series of step-up’s before heading back to the start for Mary.
For Mary we rocked out flutter kicks with rucks held above our chests and 20 big boys with rucks on our chests.
Circle of Trust
Truth be told, sometimes I don’t put a lot of time or thought into preparing my CoT. At this point in my life, with 30+ years of leadership experience, I can usually recall something relatively quickly to discuss or share with the PAX. This afternoon was different though…
Late Monday afternoon I received notification that a fellow buddy I served with when I was in the Infantry back in 1992-94, unfortunately, committed suicide that day. Although it’s been around 20 years since I last saw him, we had stayed in touch over the years, periodically chatting through FaceBook. I recall seeing some odd posts on his FaceBook last year
MSG Mike Waddell served 22 years in the US Army, originally as an 11C, Indirect Fire Infantryman, and eventually changing career paths, working in the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) career field before retiring and then serving another 11 years as a Federal Civilian. We rarely chatted beyond surface level stuff or dropping an “LOL” emoji on an occasional FaceBook post, so I had absolutely zero premonition where his head was or what mental state he slid to before taking his life. The news is just absolutely unsettling… now my mind races through our F3 brotherhood, our CoTs, our occasional shout out’s to veteran suicide awareness and I somehow feel guilty because I found F3 and I wish he would have… Those of us that served KNOW! Worst part is I find out that he’s in North Carolina and was probably surrounded my F3 men that could have been there for him.
Until today, I’ve never had a veteran friend or buddy commit suicide. This is a hard one to process men. Please pray for Mike’s soul and for his family’s comfort during this tragic time.
Naked Man Moleskin
Thanks for BabyMomma for PUT6 and getting everyone through the beatdown.