Squid’s Manniversary | Top Gun Academy

AO: Three Rivers

When: 05/05/2023

Number of Pax: 20

DR Names:

Number of FNGS: 0

FNG Names:

QIC: Squidward


Introduction

I could feel the energy when I arrived on site and knew this was going to be a classic feel of some of my favorite mornings at 3R! I still can’t believe I’ve been doing this for a year! It really is true that time flies when you’re having fun

Warm-O-Rama

Ran through the obligatory F3 statements.

  • Motivators (from 6)
  • Good mornings/nights (x10)
  • Daisy pickers (x10)
  • Calf stretches (10 count)

The Thang

Moseyed over to the grassy area just north of the volleyball court for Thang 1.

Thang 1 (Top Gun school induction): While playing the song “Highway to the Danger Zone” hold plank until the chorus, then do V-up’s (aka Frog SUs – hat tip to Navy SEALs) during the “Highway to the DZ” chorus.  Mix in high/low planks and shoulder taps for variety (repeated these moves until the song was over).

Thang 2 (Sortie flights; theme: NEVER leave your wingman): Broke PAX into groups of 4. While playing a selection of Top Gun/80’s-themed songs, had the first flight of two run across the sand volleyball court to the grass on the other side where they completed 5 burpees), while the other two teammates remained at home base doing SSH. Once the flight of two returned, teams swapped.  Additional iterations changed from burpees to big boys, merkins, and squats.

Thang 3 (formation flight and engagement maneuvers): Assembled the flight into two-file formation. Instructed the PAX that during the engagement maneuver (last man up run), they should fly 6 ft behind the aircraft in front of them so that, once in flight, the last PAX would have enough space to maneuver his aircraft to the front of the formation flight, ensuring that he buzzed the tower of each PAX in the last man up formation (weaving in and out).

Thang 4 (oppressor/aggressor evasive flight maneuver training) aka tag: took the flight to the tennis courts where for this. Designated the tennis court as a “flight training area”, then instructed PAX that they must remain within the boundaries of the training area, or face disqualification. Picked Yellow Card’s 2.0, Red Card, to be the first oppressor noting that the first two aircraft he shot down (tagged) were to assist him in engaging the remaining aircraft. We did two iterations of this leaving 4 minutes to do my favorite Mary 🙂

Mary

While playing the song “Take My Breath Away” had PAX lay on their backs doing six-inch leg holds. During the “take my breath away” chorus, had PAX do hello dolly’s. Mixed in some flutter kicks along the way and repeated until the song is over.

Circle of Trust

Shared a recent saying I heard that inspired me to look at winning/losing in a different light, then expounded on it a bit as I encouraged the PAX to reflect on it.

“I never lose. I either win or I learn.”

-Nelson Mandela

Personally, I fully embrace failure as the best way to learn and openly embrace making myself vulnerable and unafraid to share that with my F3 brothers. Until you truly embrace the fear of failing and remove barriers that are holding you back, you’re never really free and are more than likely throttling your opportunity to accelerate.

Naked Man Moleskin

Immense gratefulness to my Shield Lock brothers, BabyMomma and Burnt Ends, for cooking the chorizo tacos for all of us, and to Millville for taking some incredible SQ photos. Love you brothers!

It was a great finish to the morning and brought back a lot of 2nd F memories from days gone by at Three Rivers!

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