Class 06 Black Friday (part 3)

8-August-2016

    .... what was to come next would be a chance  for the Cadets to have one of their finest moment this would show the Instructors, Miss Anna, Sgt Lynch, and themselves what they have learned as part of Class 06.  All of the training of discipline, effort, and respect would be put on display for one final test.  The Cadets were march to the shore of the lake and waited further orders. This wait was short lived as they plunged themselves in to chilly waters of an August night.  Back and forth they went in and out of the lake. Faces into the sand, then squat jumps in the water,  push-ups along the shore line to be followed by jumping  jacks back into the water. All of these done under a constant showers, which formed a curtain of water separating the Cadets from the rest of the park. The orders were given by at a steady pace only to  be broken by informing  an individual Cadet to move towards " The Pit".  Along the way each Cadet had to do a series of exercises, which main purpose seemed to be how much sand could a Cadet leave the beach with on their bodies. Once arriving at their destination they were met with questions and eggs, more questions and some Whipped Cream, more questions followed by flour, and syrup. A few more question and more eggs to top it all off with. Each Cadet stood tall and held their ground, trusting no harm will come to them. Showing one more time the focus and committed that may  not have been  apart of them only one week earlier. The nervousness and fright of Orientation Day has been replaced  by a resolve to face what ever is throw at them and survive it.  They were then cleaned off, not by a warm bubble bath from their Parents, but, by a cold fire hose in the middle of the night. After the last Cadet emerged for the pit is was time to move to the next stage. 

   Finally Class 06 was assembled on the beach head then proceeded the march back to base camp. Some cold, and shaking, other sore and tried but all determined to march heads up eyes boring a hole into the Cadet in front of them. Before they could sit, before they analyses of what just happen, before anything  else the needed to stand in one more formation. On a humid overcast night in August under the harsh glare of spotlights Sgt Lynch stood in front of them all and ask of them to perform on more duty.  He went through the ranks, stopping at each Cadet and ask if they would accept their dog tag as a symbol of becoming Cadet in The Bogota Emergency Services Youth Academy  Class 06. With their voice left in the pit, tears left in childhood, each in turn took their tribute with a firm hand. Some smile, others had to sneak a peek of the new jewelry all must of had thoughts of  what they have just accomplished.  

   Before being dismissed for the evening Cadet Nicholas Rivera was brought forward.  Due to Family matters Cadet Rivera would be unable to attend his Class 06 graduation on Tuesday 9-August. With Family always coming first Cadet Rivera's new Family had a chance to say "A job well done." He was honoured by Instructor  Perez and his duty, work, and leadership to the Academy. Then Instructor Coleman stepped up to congratulate Cadet Rivera for being a part of Charlie Squad and the Academy. Cadet Rivera served  Squad Leader for much of Class 06 Duty Week. He was then given a round of applause by his fellow Cadets in a thank-you for his service. Soon after base camp was broken down, and members of the Academy started the trip home. As the caravan made its way through the dark headed to Bogota the exhaustion from the past four hours disappeared in song and celebration. Class 06 arrived back at the High School  to proud Family members awaiting their return. The Cadets emerged form the vans  more disheveled then they left and with a odd smell of pancakes in the air. Their children were greeted as heroes and while a joyful exchange hummed over the parking there may have been a thought of, will they be able to stay awake long enough to change for bed. With another thought of should they be let in the house for a real shower, or just wash them down out side.      

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