Preflight Memories from Dean Tuggle

There are lots of memories from preflight, some are more worthwhile to remember than others. Here are a few of mine. It was either the second or third day; we were on a run, which was never my strong suit. I was rapidly falling behind and two guys came along side of me, each one grabbed an arm and said that I would finish that run. I had decided that I would flunk the physical and not put up with the horseshit. I was so impressed with the spirit of team work that I stayed with the program.

By being in the band, I got out of some of the drilling, which wasn't a bad deal. But when the band went to the Texas State Fair, in the admiral's plane, I might add, made for a great memory. The first weekend that we got free, I and two other guys went to Bob Stoddard's folks place over in Alabama and water skied. We're out skiing in this swamp, me on the skies, when the boat starts to slow down. I'm eating line like mad to stay up; and Bob points to what seemed like a thirty foot alligator! As soon as he saw that I noticed it he grinned and speeded up again.

Another that has stayed with me was when we got back from survival. I am sure everybody remembers that the bus was late and the mess hall was closed. We were beyond curfew. I told everybody to get cleaned up and head for the burger joint and I would take the heat. I truly wasn't looking forward to the next day and sure enough the call was made bright and early for me to get to the sergeant's office on the double. I was asked in no uncertain terms why our class was out so late. Standing there scared to death, I told the good sergeant the story. It was a great relief when he said "good decision" now "Get out of here!"

I am really looking forward to our get together this fall and sincerely hope that everybody can make it to Pensacola.

Dean