High-spirited and Optimistic

I went to see my doctor this morning to follow-up on the various ailments that I have been suffering under lately. Thankfully, my doctor told me that the worst part of my illness was over, and that I had almost fully recovered. Before I went to the doctor, I knew that I was getting better since I no longer had any serious bouts of phlegm-infested coughing, and that I felt as though I got my vitality back. When my doctor gave me the good news, I was overjoyed. Since I am no longer contagious, he said that I was well enough to go to work today.

A couple of hours after I left the doctor's office, I made my way to the restaurant where I work. When I got there, all the staff warmly welcomed me back to the job. It felt great to come back to the workplace and serve guests their food again. I missed the feeling of frantically running around making sure that people were having a first-rate dining experience. Today was incredibly busy for a lunch period since the restaurant was swarmed with guests from the moment the doors were opened. I served a large party of twenty people, and they were very pleased with the service I provided them. I departed the restaurant after my shift with a profound feeling of satisfaction, knowing that I was able to do my job well considering my state of recovery.

This has been an overwhelming semester for me with all the responsibilities and stresses of schoolwork, Air Force ROTC, and my job. I became more sick this semester than any other that I can recall. Earlier on in the semester, I came down with a flu and had to deal with malnutrition. Recently, my bronchitis and cold came at a time when schoolwork was keeping me very busy. However, the semester is almost over; all I have left to do is take my final exams and turn in my last few papers that I have been working on. Hopefully, I will be able to go to Disneyland with my girlfriend this winter break, as she has never been there before. I need to seriously recharge my intellectual batteries over the break so that I can come into my final semester ready to get things done. I am optimistic in that I think my upcomming finals will not prove to be too daunting for me, and that I will also be able to enjoy my winter break knowing I did fairly well the semester.

-Shaun Underdal

The Closing of the ROTC Semester

Today's AFROTC parade went by with stellar results. The entire cadet body was assembled on Tower Lawn and performed in an outstanding parade. Everyone looked sharp with their uniforms neatly pressed and in their skillful execution of marching movements. There was a large number of civilian spectators nearby watching us proudly represent the world's finest fighting air force. I was proud to march in formation with my comrades and display my love for my country in the parade. These parades are usually the highlight of training, standing tall and dignified knowing that we have joined an organization that espouses integrity, service, and excellence. To me, it was the most exciting and memorable cadet parade in which I have participated.

After the parade, we assembled in one of the rooms in Sweeny Hall for an awards presentation. Certain awards are given to cadets who exemplify the virtues of the Air Force and preform above and beyond the call of duty. My flight, one of three groups of cadets who work closely as a team throughout the training process, won the prestigious Honor Flight award. Honor Flight goes to the flight which has the overall best academic scores on warrior knowledge tests, the best looking uniforms, and the highest percentage of participation in cadet activities. My flight and I worked very hard this semester to accomplish training objectives in accordance to the Air Force mission, so I was delighted that we received the award in recognition of or dedication and tenacity. I am very excited about the next AFROTC training semester, which will actually be my final semester before my graduation and commission as a second lieutenant. I will let my successes this term guide me into a produtive and eventful final semester.

-Shaun Underdal

Come See the Parade

A couple of hours ago, I came back from my Air Force ROTC parade practice. I can't say that it was particularly enjoyable standing at attention in cold weather, but the time spent was very productive. At the end of every semester, the entire cadet corps forms up and marches in a military-oriented parade which commemorates all our accomplishments and struggles during the semester. It is also at these parades that the change of command for Cadet Wing Commander, the highest ranking cadet in the detachment, takes place. The whole affair has long-standing traditional and ceremonial roots which have been fostered throughout the history of the United States armed forces.

The parade will be taking place this Thursday at San Jose State's Tower Lawn from roughly 4:00-5:00 pm. For those who are reading this, if you haven't seen one of these before, then I strongly recommend that you come out and show support for the Air Force and our cadet corps. You can't miss it because it will be on campus in plain sight of anyone going to the library, the science building, Hugh Gillis Hall, etc. It would truly be an honor to the Detachment if many students and faculty members showed up to watch the parade for its duration. Rest assured, it will be a unique experience that you will not forget.

Last ROTC class of the Semester!

The academic side of Air Force ROTC training was completed this evening. ROTC cadets, along with other mandatory training sessions, must be enrolled in regular Air Force classes each semester as part of the program. Each class is taught by one of the members of Detachment 45's cadre, who currently serve as active duty officers. In the classes, cadets learn about the fundamental principles of the United States armed forces, the history and evolution of aerospace power, and many other relevant issues to a professional military force.

The class I took this semester dealt with national security issues and how future Air Force officers are expected to respond to them. Due to some miscommunication amongst some cadets, I had thought that the final exam for the class was to be held today. However, I was very astonished to find out that the final is going to be administered next week. Normally, the final exams for ROTC classes are given the week before San Jose State's finals week. This is done intentionally so that cadets can concentrate more on studying for other finals. For the first time in my cadet career, an ROTC final will be held during SJSU's final exam week. All the sleep deprivation I suffered last night while studying was done in vain.

Class, however, was not uneventful as cadets had to give their final briefing presentations. In the active duty Air Force, speaking before crowds of officers is commonplace. The briefings that we do in our ROTC classes help us cadets develop ourr speaking skills, as well familiarize us with the professional military standards of briefing. In addition to three other cadets, I myself gave my final briefing presentation this evening. The topic for my briefing was "The Clash of Ideologies in the Global War on Terror", and it contained many controversial viewpoints that amazed my fellow cadets. The briefing was supposed to last only twenty minutes, but I talked for over forty minutes. I got extremely excited giving my presentation and lost track of the time. The good thing was that my grade didn't suffer due to the excessive length of my briefing. Giving my last briefing this evening was the highlight of ROTC class this semester. All I have left to do is to study hard and conquer the final exam next week.

-Shaun Underdal

Next Semester Responsibilities

In my last blog, I perhaps depressed some of my readers with my doldrums-inducing account of my illness. I feel that I should share some good news to raise the spirits of my readers. I am delighted to announce that I have been elected to be the new Squadron Commander of Arnold Air Society's Staffelbach Squadron next semester. Arnold Air Society is an honorary body of Air Force ROTC cadets whose mission is to further develop the leadership skills of future Air Force officers. Staffelbach Squadron is Air Force ROTC Detachment 45's chapter of Arnold Air Society. Most Air Force ROTC detachments at various universities have an Arnold Air Society chapter. It is open to all AFROTC cadets who desire to get more involved in their training and become greater and stronger individuals. The Squadron Commander is the highest ranking cadet in the chapter who directs and oversees all of the activites that will be done in the semester, much like a university club or fraternity president. It is truly an honor to be able to fulfill this role, and I hope that next semester will be productive and memorable.

The official definition of Arnold Air Society is as follows: "Arnold Air Society is a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power." It is professional in that Arnold Air society has a structure and command system which is meant to mimic the organizational aspects of the real active duty Air Force. Since cadets who wish to join Arnold Air Society must meet and maintain specific academic and ROTC standards, it is an honorary organization. Arnold Air Society functions primarilly as a service organization, and our efforts go into creating service projects which benefit the cadet corps, campus, local community, and the country respectively. Lastly, the support of aerospce power is fostered by members of Arnold Air Society by acknowledging and furthering the role that the United States Air Force plays in defending our nation. If you are interested in learning more about Arnold Air Society and what it stands for, please pay a visit to the national website at www.arnold-air.org. I have much responsibility to look forward to next semester, but I am very excited that I will get to take on such a challenging position as Squadron Commander.

-Future AAS C/Maj Shaun Underdal

End of Semester Sickness

Another semester is about to come to a close, but unfortunately I unable to rejoice the comming end because I have once again fallen ill. I went to the doctor Tuesday and found out that not only did I catch a cold, but that I also contracted bronchitis. It is not unusual for me to come down with bronchitis in the seasonal shifts from fall to winter. I have hade a long history of bronchitis in my life: I usually get it twice a year at least. Each time I get it though, I am greatly frustrated by the unpleasantness it causes. I could find myself one day talking to friend about something important, only to be cut of midsentence by a hoarse and painful whooping cough. Trying to resume the conversation, I follow up with more coughs every few minutes or so. Whenever I try to engage in any activity while afflicted with bronchitis, the annoying and ever-present cough always keeps me from putting maximum effort into it. This is especially bothersome now because I have to make the last final effort this semester to get all my schoolwork done while being sick.

I hate being afflicted with such maladies as the common cold and bronchitis during a time when I have to greatly apply myself in my current responsibilities. The timing in comming down with illness couldn't be any worse when I have to write my last few papers for class and study for final exams. My responsibility at work is also being affected by this as I have to take sick leave to prevent spreading contagious germs. I work at a restaurant so I can't run the risk of making the patrons who dine there or any of my fellow co-workers sick as well. This can hurt me finacially because I live in my own without any other significant monetary support from other means. The doctor prescribed me antibiotics which are slowly taking effect, but I still feel as though I am going to remain in my current state for quite some time. Hopefully my illness will subside enough in the next few days to the point where I can finish this semester strong.

-An ill and weary Shaun Underdal :(

A Thanksgiving to Be Thankful For

This year's Thanksgiving celebration was unlike any other that I have partaken. Previously, al my Thanksgivings consisted of a feast with my family members with their friends. This time, however, Thanksgiving involved a feast with my friends as well as my family members. I was delighted to bring along my girlfriend and three other close friends to the Underdal family Thanksgiving extravaganza. Also present was my sister and her absolutely adorable daughter, and San Jose State University history professor Bruce Reynolds and his wife. My father, Dr. Stanley J. Underdal, is also a history professor at San Jose State, and his close friendship and professional relations with professor Reynolds spans many years. Nothing but happiness flooded my soul spending this year's Thanksgiving with such fine company.

It was always the case that there existed a great surplus of food during my family's Thanksgiving dinners. Normally there would be enough leftovers to feed everyone in the household for a week. This was not the case this time around because of the sheer number of people who came out join us. There were no leftovers whatsoever after dinner had concluded. My mother is a saint in suggesting me to bring to Thanksgiving anyone else I knew who didn't have any Thanksgiving plans. Most of my friends who dined with my family this year are students from out of town. My girlfriend, for example, is from Japan, a country which doesn't celebrate Western holidays, such as American Thanksgiving. This is interesting because Japan celebrates Christmas even though an overwhelming majority of Japanese people are not christian. I know that being with my family and I on an American holiday was unique and exciting for her. My other friends would have been burdened economically to travel and celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, so they were glad when I invited them to my household. I can't stand the thought of having my good friends having nowhere to go during a holiday such as this, so I was overjoyed when they accepted my invitation to have Thanksgiving dinner with my family and me.

I am very thankful to have such good friends to spend time with and bring copious amounts of holiday cheer to my life. To me the spirit of Thanksgiving is best represented in acknowledging the people who give great meaning to my existence, much more so than thoughts of pilgrims feasting with Native Americans. I am thankful to have friends who stick we me through good and bad times, seeing me through this grand jouney called life. My family I am also thankful for since their love and support has helped me to become the person I am today. Everyone enjoyed themselves during this year's Thanksgiving, and for that I am very glad. I hope that in the future I will be able to have Thanksgiving celebrations as memorable and meaningful as this year's was.