Paintball game

I laid flat on my belly against the gently sloping hill and took cover under some bushes. I peered over a log and surveyed the situation. Everyone in front of me was already shot, and I was the only one left. Someone was still shooting in my direction, so I remained as still and silent as possible. Someone emerged from behind a tree at the top of the hill - it was the shooter! I took careful aim, hoping he didn't see me, and shot at him. Success! He was out. Someone appeared behind him, and I shot at him too. Feeling good about myself with plenty of ammo left, I kept firing at anyone who popped into my line of sight. Suddenly, there was a noise behind me. I looked down at my boot and was dismayed to find a splotch of blue paint, dripping down my ankle. The referee tapped my shoulder and said, 'You're out!' 

Paintball is just one example of the lighter side of Air Force ROTC, included as part of the Leadership Lab (LLab) curriculum that the older cadets plan. While a majority of LLabs consist of marching and briefings, some of them are designed to be fun. But just because we are having fun does not mean we stop learning. Paintball encourages team work and esprit de corps among the cadets. Another example of a fun LLab is Dining In, a unique social function in the military tradition that only military members can attend. All Air Force officers will attend a Dining In at least once, if not more, in their military career. It has customs and courtesies that govern everyone's behaviors, so Dining In is a great opportunity for cadets to learn military etiquette while having a good time.

The general procedure for a Dining In begins with a half hour of social time when everyone mills around outside the dining hall, chatting and having a drink with other cadets. Chimes are sounded to signal everyone into the dining hall. Once the cadets are at their tables, they remain standing for the entrance of the head table and honor guard posting of the American flag. There are usually some words of formalities spoken and a ceremony to honor POW/MIA (prisoners of war, missing in action). I find it one of the most somber and important parts of the evening, because one should never forget the sacrifices men and women have given to this country.

Afterwards, dinner is served with everyone being careful not to break any rules of Dining In because they may face a 'punishment' for it. There are many rules for Dining In, such as not bringing any drinks into the dining hall, waiting for the head table to eat first, not leaving the dining hall during dinner and a mandate to have fun. Despite the strict rules, the atmosphere is generally relaxed as everyone eagerly awaits the high point of the evening: the grog. The grog is a special punch that contains all sorts of ingredients, ranging from wasabi and salsa to milk and soda. The disgusting blend has been known to be mixed into a toilet bowl (one that was never used for its original purpose), but we have always used a regular punch bowl. The 'lucky cadets' who get to drink out of this special punch are those who were caught breaking rules of Dining In.

I am usually careful about not breaking any rules, because the idea of drinking wasabi-flavored milk simply does not appeal to me. However, at the last Dining In I attended, everyone at my table decided to get up and go to the bathroom before dinner was over. It was hard to miss 8 people getting up all together and exiting the dining hall, so, naturally, we were all sent to the grog. We stood up there, facing the concoction of sauerkraut, horseradish and salt water, hoping that it tasted better than it sounded. Running through my head were images of all the abnormal things I'd consumed before: sweet-tasting swallow's nest, vomit-inducing turnip juice, and putrid-smelling durian. I closed my eyes and held the cup to my lips. There was no going back. I swallowed the entire thing in one huge gulp, hoping if I did it fast enough I would never have to taste it. I held the cup upside-down above my head to prove I drank the entire contents of my cup and gave a triumphant smile. It wasn't that bad - all I really tasted was the saltiness of the mixture.

The evening is wrapped up with dessert and a guest speaker. We often have generals or other interesting people come in and give motivational speeches about how to succeed in the military and life in general. Then everyone goes home in high spirits, happy to experience something different. It's a different kind of fun from paintball, but has the same effect in bringing cadets together for an occasion of camaraderie. See, we know how to have fun in Air Force ROTC.