Advance Training has Begun!

So we've gone through our first week of Advance at Meridian! So far it's just ground school and Eric said it's pretty boring and kind of frustrating because there's a civilian teaching the class which has flown the T-6 before but not the T-45 and he is apparently quite the storyteller. Eric said yesterday that he could have been done by 2:30pm but because of all the stories he didn't get out of there until 4pm. He's been pretty busy preparing for his first test (not sure when that is), finishing his secret clearance paperwork online, and working out for his upcoming PFT (physical fitness test). The past couple PFT's have been cancelled due to weather which makes since because the last one was last Friday, the same day as the tornado warnings.
I received a letter in the mail today and thought y'all would be interested in seeing this too because I don't feel like it only pertains to me and the support we've shown him and how proud we are. So therefore I wanted to share it with all the friends and family that are along the journey with him. I've tried to upload a scanned picture of the letter and once again you can click on the image (if you're on the blog, not in email) and it will open bigger. Anyways I've typed it out for easy reading

Dear Mrs. Galloway:

Greetings from the Tigers of Training Squadron NINE (VT-9). Our mission is to train the next generation of Marine, Navy, Italian, Spanish, and British Tailhook Aviators.

Here your husband will receive one year of complex and demanding training from fleet-experienced and combat-tested instructors. This training will consist of ground school, flight simulators, and 125 flights in the T-45C Goshawk aircraft. He will fly the T-45 to the very limits of its aerodynamic capabilities. He will learn how to fly in close formation, drop air to ground ordnance, and how to fight another jet (air combat maneuvering or dog-fighting). The final test-one that separates Tailhook Naval Aviators from all other military pilots-will be 10 solo "traps" (arrested landings) on board an aircraft carrier.

He is going to work hard. He is going to be frustrated at times. He is going to go on detachments and get up at early hours. And he is going to love it.

Waiting at the end of this challenging path for both of you are the coveted Navy wings of gold and membership in the 100-year-old society dedicated to aeronautical excellence in this nation's defense. These wings area a Team effort - and so the wings are a symbol of both of your accomplishments. Eric earned the privilege to train for carrier strike aviation by his diligent work and exceptional performance in Primary Flight Training. He is the cream of the crop of Student Naval Aviators and you should be proud of his accomplishments thus far. But he is going to need help, love, and support to get the rest of the way.

If you have any questions about VT-9 or our training curriculum, please contact my office. Once again, welcome to the Tigers.

                                                                              Sincerely,
                                                                              William H. Sheehan
                                                                              Commander, USN
                                                                              Commanding Officer
So there's some exciting news from this week and I'll try and keep everyone updated even if it's on a weekly basis. No matter how exciting or routine the week is.
We love you all and Happy Easter!!!!
By the way, Thank you Momma Julie we got the box! Zoe will love her movie (All Dogs Go To Heaven), Eric will love the DVD (DogFights - TV Series), and I'll enjoy the Godiva!
Hope to see everyone soon!