AO: Three Rivers
When: 05/10/2024
Number of Pax: 15
DR Names:
Number of FNGS: 0
FNG Names:
QIC: Squidward
Introduction
Arrived on site and some men were already conducting preflight checks on their aircraft (aka EC runs). Dropped the speaker off and made my way around to the PAX sparking some mumblechatter (aka kicking tires and lighting fires) 🔥
Warm-O-Rama
0515 run in place. With the “Top Gun Anthem” playing in the background, welcomed the men to the prestigious TG school, knocked out F3 core principles, mission, and credo, then commenced with WoR:
- daisy pickers (x8)
- Willy Mays Hayes (x8)
- motivators (from 6)
- calf stretches (10 count)
The Thang
Thang 1 (Top Gun school induction): While playing the song “Highway to the Danger Zone” hold plank until the chorus, then do Frog SUs (aka V-up’s), hat tip to Navy SEALs, during the “Highway to the DZ” chorus. Mix in high/low planks and shoulder taps for variety (repeat these moves until song is over)
Thang 2 (Sortie flights; theme: NEVER leave your wingman): Break PAX into groups of 4. While playing select songs from the Top Gun soundtrack, and other choice “cheesy” 80’s selections, flight of two ran to the opposite side of the volleyball court where they completed 10 burpees, while the other two teammates remained at home base doing SSH. Once flight of two returned, teams swapped. Rotated exercises between burpees and big boys, while PAX at home rotated between SSH and squats Â
Thang 3 (formation flight and engagement maneuvers): Assembled flight in single file formation. Instructed PAX that during the engagement maneuver (last man up run), they should fly 6ft behind the aircraft in front of them. Once in flight, the last PAX made his way to the front of the formation flight, ensuring that his aircraft practices maneuvering flight by buzzing the tower of each PAX in the last man up formation (weaving in and out).
Thang 4 (carrier launches) aka sprints: Launch PAX in teams of two from point A to point B.
Mary (Top Gun graduation): While playing the song “Take My Breath Away” PAX laid on their backs doing six-inch leg holds. During the “take my breath away” chorus, PAX did hello dolly’s (repeated until the song was over)
Circle of Trust
Asked the PAX what was the recurring theme throughout the BC, to which they answered “never leave your wingman”.
I reiterated the significance of what Dilly Dilly shared a few weeks back noting the difference between “pick up the 6” and “having your 6” and specifically tied the military intent behind having someone’s 6.
While maybe not entirely the primary intent behind the OG Top Gun movie, their is value behind understanding the concept of “never leave your wingman” beyond just what we see everyday in our 1st F.
Other than some of the newest PAX, we all can name at least one brother we formed some strong bond with during our time ITG, who isn’t active in any of the 3 F’s. That’s where I ask you to focus – are you the kind of man who thinks “well, he doesn’t come out to any F3 stuff anymore, so I guess I’ll quit focusing on him” or the kind of man that says “I don’t care if you ever come back to anything F3 related, but I value your brotherhood/friendship and I don’t want to lose that”?
Believe it or not, those men still need you and you can have the same impact on their lives as you do in every aspect of F3, so reach out, tell them you miss them, grab a coffee/beer/lunch/dinner, whatever. Maybe you won’t even talk about F3 at all with them. Maybe you’ll just enjoy their fellowship and you’ll both walk away feeling fulfilled because he knows that you cared to reach out for no other reason than to show that you still “have his six”.
Naked Man Moleskin
Love seeing the fire in the PAX who haven’t participated in TG before. I’m glad PAX at all fitness levels can get something from the experience.