Mark posted a bunch of photos on Facebook today (along with a few videos) — all from ProTraMid (Professional Training for Midshipmen). As you know, ProTraMid consists of Marine week, Surface week, Aviation week, and Sub week. There’s also a sprinkling of SeAL time and some other goodies plus all of the fun and excitement one would expect on the beach in San Diego.
From our last post, all of you know that Mark has no desire to go “Surface”. No ships for our favorite midshipman (which begs the question…then why the Navy? But that’s another discussion…). Our favorite mid has decided that Aviation is his calling (something he’s wanted since he was about 8)…that is…unless the Sub Bug bites him. Sub week was a huge success! Marines aren’t his thing…unless he’s a Marine Aviator, of course. But Navy Air or Subs are both calling his name, so let’s see what this whole ProTraMid thing was about.
I won’t bother with Surface pix. Unless the pix came from the decks of an aircraft carrier, Mark didn’t seem thrilled. Marine week was first — let’s start there.
Can anyone see Mark dressing for work like this every day?
I admire the Marines (a lot), but as a parent, I kinda’ take issue with the problem of our Marines getting shot at all of the time. Obviously whoever shoots at one of our Marines is a damn fool…life is short when the Wrath of God rains down upon you in the form of return fire. But I’m not a fan of putting one of my kids in that kind of environment. They do have some cool toys though…
As Mark points out, “these things float.” And that they do –
In the Marine Aviation part of the world, here comes a ride:
And hanging out the side of one is kinda’ cool –
But I’m not seeing it. Unless Mark changes his mind, I have a feeling the Marines won’t get a crack at him.
But Subs? Well…that was the surprise of this training block! Going in, Mark swore — swore! — that nothing could convince him to consider the Sub pipeline as a training/career option. But I guess that changes when you climb on board. This shot doesn’t do this sub any justice, but here are some mids standing on top of one of our nuclear subs getting ready to go below. Oh, and they’re standing right above a whole bunch of ballistic missiles…
Mark had an opportunity to stand on top of that sail you see in the background. You can’t tell, but it’s up there…and the effect is magnified when you’re at sea. These things are huge.
But not an inch is wasted down below. Looks a little tight, right?
Subs are cool…but I think we’re going to see this kind of work-wear in Mark’s future. It’s more “him”, right? This is “dressed and ready to go” for his training flight:
Today, it’s the back seat. Tomorrow?
Check this out: Mark called this shot “diving to San Diego” –
Notice the angle they’re on…looks pretty much straight down to me. I’m surprised he even held onto the camera. But what kind of maneuver leads up to a dive like this? I can’t say for sure, but it probably looked something like this –
Now I’m really surprised that the camera didn’t end up on the roof of the cockpit. He calls this something like “upside down mid-loop”…and if you look at the wing, you can rest assured that it’s not the camera that was upside-down.
What else do we have…
Oh! SeAL time! The mids ran through the SeAL “O-Course” (Obstacle Course). SeALs do it in about five minutes or less, and the mids did it carefully to learn the ropes. Here’s a shot of Mark and a buddy right after they completed it. Even going “slow” he appears to have broken a sweat. How are those workouts coming, Mark?
He looks to me like he’s in pretty good shape. But Karen says “Marky-Mark gets his butt kicked when he gets here, baby…”
Mark, how do you spell kettlebells? We’ll find out in about three weeks! (“Where’s the men’s locker room…I’m not feeling so good”…who said that?)
So! Will Mark opt for dolphins? Or wings? Both would look mighty nice on his collar! Or…
…will it be Grad School first? So many options…must be nice!
He’s earned it! More soon –