Posted on behalf of Goodfella:
Coming off a great Memorial Day workout led by Popeye, and plenty of over-eating this weekend, we had record attendance at Watchtower this morning (last week’s attendance was a solid 2!). The humidity was brutal today, which led YHC and BottleCap to shut down the Doc pre-run a few minutes early to hydrate before the workout.
Quick Mosey then circle up with 10 Pax…well, make it 11 Pax as Jingles rolled in on 2 wheels like usual. Wait, make it 12 Pax as Loafer loafed his way in late as well. Wait, make it 13 Pax as Frack cheerfully rolled in at the tail end of the warmup. The 13 finished up our warmup of::
SSH x 20
IW x 20
Peter Parker x 20
Merkin x 10
LBC x 20
Mosey over to the front of the school and gather at the carpool pickup location for some fun.
Introduce the Pax to “Burpee Shuttle”, where we started at #1, sprinted to #8 for 8 Burpees, back to #1, sprinted to #7 for 7 Burpees, etc until making it back to #1.
Wait a minute, here comes Posse with a sneak attack at the #2 station to show us all how it’s done! We now have 14 Pax at Watchtower! Record Attendance!
All-in, we completed 36 Burpees (make it 3 Burpees for Posse!) to start off the workout, and all were starting to sweat.
Mosey over to the football stadium for some Stairs. Some from the Pax immediately complained about the “wet and sweaty” bleachers we were about to navigate. Someone even took it a step further and told us he was going to play it safe and gingerly tip-toe down the stairs so he didn’t get hurt! (not mentioning names, Damascus!):
Up & Down the stairs then (10) Dips at the bottom of each section.
Plank it up and wait for the Six.
1/2 Lap around Track to visitors bleachers (much less sections and stairs for some relief).
Up & Down the stairs then (10) Derkins at the bottom of each section.
Plank it up at the top of the stands and wait for the Six.
Grab a wall for People’s Chair, Leg Extensions, and Air Presses.
Mosey To Brick Pile, Partner Up:
Round 1 = P1 Overhead Press (x 150 as a team), P2 Down the stairs and back
Round 2 = P1 Bicep Curls (x 100 as a team), P2 Down the stairs and back
After some complaining about “sore calves” and uneven terrain, it was time to shut it down early at this station. Maybe the humidity was starting to get to the Pax?
Long Mosey back to Wall near front of school for:
Incline Merkins x 30
Leg Extensions x 25
Bicycles x 25
Incline Merkins x 20
Circle up for Mary…work our way around the circle of 14 Pax:
LBC x 14
Flutter x 14
Dolly x 14
American Hammer x 14
Heels 2 Heaven x 14
Thanks for allowing me to lead today, fellas. It’s a great campus and there’s always something new to try. All kidding and ragging aside, it was great work by everyone today. The banter keeps me/us coming back for more, and no one is immune!
Announcements:
Speed for Need gaining tons of momentum and fund raising. Union Co crew will participate in 2 races this year (Komen and Ginger Snap).
Damascus asked to take the Q at Commitment this Saturday, to celebrate his 1-year Anniversary at F3. Nice job, Damascus!
Thanks for taking us out in Prayer, MoneyBall!
It was fifty years ago tomorrow, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. Hard to believe that Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released 50 years ago tomorrow – on June 1, 1967. What better way to celebrate than with 12 friends at the workout that just won’t die located somewhere between Metro and Area 51…The Charge.
Mosey from parking lot to near end zone.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band/With A Little Help From My Friends
SSH x50 IC
IW x20 IC
Toy Soldiers x10 IC
Mountain Climbers x15 IC
Sharon Towers x10 IC
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds aka Lunges And Then Squats With Diamonds
Lunge x1 each leg; Squats x1; Diamond Merkin x1.
Lunge x2 each leg; Squats x2; Diamond Merkins x2. Repeato and escalate by 1 rep for entire song.
Getting Better/Fixing A Hole/She’s Leaving Home/Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
Burpee Mile
Run 100m. 5 burpees.
Run 200m. 5 burpees.
Run 300m. 5 burpees.
Run 400m. 5 burpees.
Run 300m. 5 burpees.
Run 200m. 5 burpees.
Run 100m. 5 burpees.
Within You Without You
People’s Donkey Balls: People’s Chair with 20 Air Presses IC. Donkey Kicks x10 OYO. Balls To The Wall. Repeato.
When I’m Sixty Four/Lovely Rita/Good Morning Good Morning
Partner Up. Size Doesn’t Matter. No Matter What She Says.
Partner 1 runs from sideline to sideline and back. Partner 2 performs called exercise. Flapjack and repeato until pair hits 64 reps of each called exercise.
Round 1: Box Cutters
Round 2: Elbow Plank Jacks
Round 3: Alternating Side Lunges
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Reprise
Mosey to stadium
A Day In The Life
Sevens: Heels to Heaven Up Top; Derkins On Bottom
With A Little Help From My Friends (Joe Cocker cover)
Mosey to Parking Lot for Mary. LBCs x25 IC. Freddie Mercury x25 IC.
COT/BOM: @Tesla took us out.
Fin.
NMM.
Fancy digs at The Charge were made even fancier with the presence of none other than Mr. Fancy, @CrotchRocket, for his first post ever to The Charge. Guess we’ve lost our rogue status forever now.
@Raider stepped out of his radius and his comfort zone by traveling more than 2 miles for a workout this morning. Even drove right by Atlas and Prometheus to join us. He was very disappointed that the track at The Charge isn’t really heated. He also didn’t like the music and kept prattling on about The Clash. At least YHC cut out the partner work including partner carries that were on the original plan.
@GAAP tried to hijack the Q sometime after the sevens. @Nibbler wouldn’t let him have it.
@Wuerffel was cranky and very disappointed in the name we came up with for our FNG. He didn’t think @OldBay was creative enough but we didn’t hear him suggest anything better.
@Nibbler kept calling for 10 counts which YHC takes as a good sign that the workout was sufficient.
@Pigskin counted in several different languages. @Tesla made inappropriate comments in at least two different languages.
@Monk, @Chowda and @Wuerffel appeared out of nowhere sometime during the 50 SSH. #FashionablyLate
The non F3 guys on the track passed us all during the Burpee Mile like we were standing still. And then proceeded to go on a long run as we were in COT.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Q school on June 17. See @RevFloRida.
Expansion is wrapping up for the Spring but there are plenty of ways to get involved in the Fall. See YHC.
HDHH tonight at Providence Road Sundries. 6pm regular launch. 530pm Extra Credit.
Some of us have started wondering lately if Bratwurst has broken up with us at Swift and is just waiting for us to finally realize it. He is 0 for 4 in the month of May, so we are starting to get the point. Bunker and Tuck were discussing having a Say Anything moment somewhere in the near future outide of Brat’s window, but they will probably just end up sharing a pint of Chunky Monkey and crying about what could have been.
Still, Brat continues to provide his leadership from afar in the form of brutally planned workouts, and we continue to listen. Today’s plan called for an infamous favorite at Swift and involved 6 intervals of 2min/1min/30sec at I-pace through the hills of BCC on very short rest. 14 were naive smart enough to answer the call and come test their mettle. 13 made it to the end; Goonie left early but on a legit excuse so he gets partial credit.
Thang
See pre-blast: http://f3nation.com/2017/05/29/preblast-swift-returns-to-bcc/
Moleskin
Smaller crowd than usual at Swift today. Possibly due to the long weekend and Murph hangovers. Perhaps too many saw the pre-blast and opted out of the I-pace hills of misery. Or maybe everyone really does come solely for Brat’s encouraging words of wisdom and impeccable B-skip form. Whatever it was, the 14 who set off into the gloom did so with determination and pushed hard through 6 rounds of nonsense. The hills of BCC are unforgiving and seem to come up at the worst time (i.e. the beginning of a 2-minute interval following a 30-second rest). In the end, every man dug deep and came out of this morning just a little bit grittier than he went into it.
While many complained opined today about this being one of Swift’s toughest/worst recurring workouts, Woodson (who is now officially a Swift regular) boldly stated that it was his favorite Swift workout so far. With the way he was pushing at the front (with TR and Haggis close by), YHC believes him. Was happy to hear a lot of encouragement all around this morning as we got into the later sets and the group managed to stick together. Even more impressive, all opted for the long route on the way home and all made it back in time (give or take 60 seconds).
I-pace is a tough thing to judge when going up and down the hills of Ballantyne Country Club. We all did our best, but mostly just ended up going at an “uncomfortably hard” pace that turned “miserable” around the 4th set and “agonizing” by the 6th. Pretty sure JD would approve.
Even being given this workout ahead of time and having all steps programmed into the Garmin, Qing Swift wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. At the end of the 5th round of intervals, the last thing you want to do is have to yell with whatever breath you have left for everyone to stop and then start counting down the 10 seconds that are suddenly left before the next interval. It’s tough work and Bratwurst does it for us week in and week out. We hope he makes it back to Swift soon, as it really is not the same without our leader, but in the meantime he has certainly earned the break.
Thanks to Bratwurst for the opportunity to lead this morning and thank you guys for leaving it all out there.
Announcements
The Thang:
An Awkward disclaimer that included “know your body” was given. No afterschool special here, we were soon off to mosey to the circle of bricks.
SSH x 15
5 Burpees OYO
IW x 15
5 burpees OYO
Windmill x 15
5 burpees OYO
Mosey to Monoliths at intersection.
Merkin/Squat Jump Ladder
10 squat Jumps
10 Merkins
9 Squat Jumps
9 Merkins
8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Mosey to Parking lot near Harris Teeter
Partner up & Pain Stations
Round I
Hairburners (45lb Plates)down & Back
Step-ups at Fountain
Regular Sit-ups in archway
Round II
Carry Plate overhead there & Back
Dips at Fountain
Flutters
Round III
Inchworm down (feet on plate) and bear crawl back
Flutters at Fountain
Wall Sit
Round IV
Suicides – three lines and back
Decline Plank at fountain – All Pax 10-count
LBCs IC at Archway
Mosey back to parking lot, circle up
Back side of Merkin/Squat Jump Ladder
1 merkin, 1 squat Jump
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Mosey back to start (the long way, with Pax carrying 6 Plates)
Dealer’s Choice Mary around the circle at Vine until time called.
THE END
Moleskine:
Holiday weekend crew came out ready to push it. When Pop Tart and Billy Goat caught sight of the 45lb weight plates waiting for us in the Parking lot, it was like Christmas morning and they just found their favorite toy under the tree. Cold Cuts and Teddy were the lucky ones to find the Plate with the Krazy Glue on the underside for the hairburners. You are welcome. Lex Luthor claimed to have especially enjoyed the Inchworms because his new sneakers were just too shiny – he asked that we rub a little pavement into them. Fire Hazard pushed the pace the entire way, even without backwards running. Loogie put his shoulder through its paces, and thankfully it stayed in in place. Very good to see Cul-de-sac out there. Just a matter of time before Frehley’s EH’s the rest of his/our neighbors.
While the Merkin/Squat jump ladder may have seemed a little out-of-place but it was YHC’s sneaky way of fitting in a workout for a charity I’m involved in. For about 10years I have been helping to raise money for Michael J. Fox Foundation through “Tips for Parkinson’s.” I put together a bartending team for an event in NY that raises money to find a cure for Parkinson’s (The even has raised over $2million in its 10yrs). This year, “Tips” was selected by Jesse Itzler, author of “Living with a Seal,” for the Month of May. On Facebook it is called #wedohardstuff. For each day, there is a workout. For each person who does at least 5 of these workouts during the month of May, they will donate $200 to Team Fox (up to $20,000). So, Thanks to everyone for helping find a cure for Parkinson’s. Stonehenge today counted as two: “#humptydance” which was the ladder, and Saturday’s workout of 40 minutes of anything cardio, #fortybynature.
Thanks for allowing me to lead. It is an honor.
The Saturday of a holiday weekend left me wondering about numbers, but YHC planned a solid beatdown regardless of how many resisted the fartsack. To honor those who gave their all for our country, a modified version of The Murph was planned. I arrived at the AO 30 min early to scope out mileage options. I normally don’t plant the shovel flag that early, but decided to this AM. Good thing I did, because it kept site FNG, High Tide, from riding all around the Sun Valley school campus. #lessonlearned. At 06:55, it was YHC, High Tide, eHarmony, and with 2 minutes to spare, The Count rolled in. The disclaimer was given and we were off…
Run .5 miles to SV Elementary School & circle up for COP. YHC made the comment that any late comers would never find us down at the Elem School……
SSH X 20 IC
IW X 20 IC
LSS X 20 IC
Merkin X 10 IC
We gathered at the playground to perform a modified version of The Murph – 10 pull ups, 20 Merkins, 30 squats, run a lap. Rinse & repeat OYO for 10 rounds or until time is called. At some point duing the first round, Shake & Bake appeared and then Bullwinkle emerged. Everyone completed somewhere between 7-10 rounds before time was called, and we had to head back to the Middle School parking lot. To get there, we did an Indian Run to the entrance, shuffle left to next entrance, Right turn on gravel road & shuffle right to the storage shed. The right shuffle was a little longer than the left (the PAX let me know), so we evened things up with another shuffle left to the stairs. Calf raises on the stairs – toes straight X 25, toes out X 25, toes in X 25 then slow mosey back to the cars for 4 MOM.
4 MOM
LBC X 20 IC
Flultter X 20 IC
Pretzel Crunch X 10 IC each side
Upon completion of the hour, we discussed that The Murph was in honor of a unique traditional workout that was named after Lt Michael P. Murphy who was killed in action on June 28, 2005 but that it honored all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our great country. After COT we played Taps to show our respect.
The Moleskin
Sweat was pouring, music was blasting, and the gang who showed this AM really gave it their all this AM. We had a couple of casual observers throughout our beat down. A couple of ladies were on the school yard exercising their Labrador Retrievers by playing fetch. Somehow, High Tide even ran a lap with one. Not sure how that happened, but I looked up and he was running around the track holding the dog’s leash? #whorescuedwho When we finished our campus tour and returned to the middle school parking lot, the principal and 2 other men were sitting on the benches. We ignored them and did our Mary. The coolest thing happened when we played Taps, they all stood and saluted the flag for the duration of the song.
Announcements
Lots of 5K events on Monday
Union County Convergence next Saturday, June 3
F3 Dads starts Saturday, June 3
It’s always an honor and a privilege to lead. Thanks for the opportunity
17 of Area 51’s finest posted for YHC’s first official workout as Fast Twitch site Q. A short disclaimer was given at 0514 then off we went promptly at 0515.
The Thang
Mosey down Woodfox, left onto Rounding Run and then left on Raintree. Stop at Willow Point. When we had everyone, find a partner, preferably with similar speed. Catch Me If You Can along Raintree stopping at Providence. Whenever caught, perform 5 Merkins. Hold up at Providence. Run back for the six if you were there early. We had to get back so…repeato. CMIYC back to Willow Point. This time doing 5 jump squats when caught. When the six came in, a little plank work. Run over to the top of Windbluff. Instructions were given for a run down Windbluff to Shallowood. Once at Shallowood, perform 10 Jump Squats then run back to the start for 10 Merkins. Mosey back toward the launch stopping at the bottom of Rising Meadow. Since Turkey Leg got such a tremendous amount of…we’ll call it feedback last week with this YHC decided it should definitely be included today. AYG to the end of Rising Meadows and back. It does suck after all the previous running, but that is why we do it. It’s not supposed to be easy. Mosey back to the launch for Name-o-rama and COT.
Naked Moleskin
Strong work out there today men. YHC saw some hard efforts being laid down. It sucks sometimes, but that is how we get better. It is inspiring for YHC to see men push themselves to the limit. YHC is thankful for F3 and this group of men so that we can not only make ourselves better, but each other as well.
Announcements
-Area 51 shirt preorder is going on. Be sure to check it out and order you A51 gear.
https://f3.mudgear.com/products/f3-area-51-reflective-shirt-pre-order
https://f3.mudgear.com/products/f3c-a51
-F3 SFN has a Corporate Sponsor that will match the next $2k. If you haven’t donated yet, this would be a great time. Anything and everything helps.
https://www.crowdrise.com/f3-nation-speed-for-need-charitable-initiative
-Horsey McHorse Arse starts next Monday 6/5.
-Ghost Runner (Stink n Drink) begins this Thursday 6/1 at 1930.
A Baker’s Dozen showed up this morning for my 2nd Q – thanks for the support fellas. After a little welcome chatter and a brief disclaimer we headed out.
The Thang:
Mosey around behind Stone Mountain to building across the street
• 20 Side Straddle hops – cadence
• 5 burpees – on your own
• 10 Low Squats (hold for 3 count) – cadence
• 5 burpees – on your own
• 20 Flutters – cadence
Mosey around back of Building and pond – to the first patio
• 10 wall jumps
• Run clockwise to next patio
• 10 Derkins
• Run clockwise to benches/tables
• 15 elbow dips
Plank wait for 6 (at tables)
Mosey over bridge turn left to grass Hill
• Line up at hill for triple nickel
• 5 Merkins at bottom
• Run backwards up hill
• 5 Jump squats at top
• X 5
Plank for 6
Mosey to bridge left into parking lot
• Partner up on the way
• Stop near sidewalk just past office building on right
• Wheelbarrow hallway to Ball Corp Pl (~9 parking spots)
• Flap-jack for 2nd half (~9 parking spots)
Plank – Wait for 6 – Call for a 10 count
All You’ve Got – Up the hill to the bridge (brief disclaimer to get full out, “we will do this only once”)
People’s Chair at guard rail – Wait for 6 – (mostly sitting “on” the guard rail)
Mosey back down Hill
• Partner up on the way (same partner)
• Stop at parking lot
• At bottom wheelbarrow hallway to sidewalk on left (~9 parking spots)
• Flap-jack for 2nd half (~9 parking spots)
Plank – Wait for 6 – Call for a 10 count
Mosey back to bridge and turn right to Hill (split groups same partner)
• Half back to grass hill – Line up at hill
• 5 Merkins at bottom
• Run forwards up hill
• 5 Jump squats at top
• Second half to trail exercise station for pull ups.
• Set one 10, set two 8, set three 6
• Each partner switch after one set
• X 3
Plank for 6 at sidewalk
Mosey back to tables at pond for a little reverse action
• 15 dips at tables
• Run counterclockwise to patio
• 10 Derkins
• Run to next patio
• 10 wall jumps
Plank for 6
Roll call for Mary – four sets
Mosey around to the lot
• Line up for suicides
• 5 merkins run to first line and back to start
• 5 merkins to second line and back to start
• Repeated to far end of lot
Time about expired – Mosey to Start
Moleskin:
When I committed to Q after Memorial weekend I thought it might be just me and Bucky. Nice turnout and hope I helped kick off the short work week. I’m pretty sure the Q isn’t supposed to kick his own arse, but I managed to do just that. I even called Morning After “madame tussauds”. I heard that was the 2nd time this weekend he was called the wrong name…so I don’t feel too bad. This was a tough group – Dumpster Fire, Fall Out, Private Ben – you guys pushed the pax. Everyone gave 100% this morning with no complaints.
I’ve seen all 12 of you guys several times now – appreciate you letting me lead! Thanks Bucky for getting me on the calendar. And thanks to Paper Jam for taking us out again.
Memorial Day was only yesterday – I encourage everyone to look through the citations on the http://www.cmohs.org/ . It is very moving to read what so many people have done for us. It is truly humbling and makes me very thankful for what I have. tell someone who served “thank you”.
Announcements:
F3 Dads this Saturday at 9:00 – I didn’t catch the location, but hit up Wild Turkey on Slack for the deets.
PLEASE check out the Speed 4 Need. Huge effort so far, big push this week as we have funds being matched up to $2,000, help out if you can. – http://f3nation.com/2017/05/26/preblast-speedforneed-f3-meca-concord-streetlight-5k-7717/
Bratwurst continues his streak of playing hookie from Swift and has passed the reins to YHC this week (along with strict instructions as to what we are to do). In other words, YHC will be your timekeeper and designated yelling guy this week, no more. Here is what we will be doing.
We are back to 2/1/30 intervals in BCC at your 2-mile pace (or Interval pace). Go to http://runsmartproject.com/calculator to get your I-pace suggestions based on your fitness level. Route will be in the Ballantyne Country Club eastern half (which is roughly a 2 mile loop).
The THANG:
See you in the morning.
20 pax enjoyed an extra hour of sleep then joined their F3 brothers for a (mostly enjoyable) sweat this glorious morning. Here’s what produced aforementioned perspiration:
COP: gather around the flag pole that was supposed to have a flag on it, to honor our veterans and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. SCMS fail.
SSH x 25 IC
LSS x 15 IC
IW x 25 IC
Merkins x 15 IC
Split Thang:
Goonie up. Mosey down Strawberry to Fairway Downs Ct. for a round of 7’s. 1 burpee at the start of the street, run to the cul-de-sac for 6 jump squats. Continue until 6/1. Orange Whip led plank exercises while waiting on the 6. Joker did some plank but mostly refused.
Mosey further down Strawberry to calls of “You’re going the wrong way!” Marge pleaded for another round of 7’s on Rosecliff, but time didn’t allow. Cobains, Marge. Gathered on Rosecliff at the bottom of the hill. Backwards run up to Strawberry, mosey back down, 5 burpees, then backwards run back up and gather at the corner. This was sneaky difficult.
Mosey back to launch. Fireman Ed up.
Mosey down to the bleachers. One round of 40 dips and 40 supine pull ups. Mosey to the outfield of one baseball field for a rousing, fun round of Tunnel of Love. Originally called for all the way across the field, but that didn’t happen, as Joker (once again) basically led a mutiny. Got about 61% across the field, and an audible was called. Planker’s Delight on the way back. 2 rounds of merkins and 2 rounds of CDDs.
One more round of 40 dips/40 supine pull ups and then to the outfield of the adjacent field for everyone’s favorite, Mr. JAck Webb. 1 merkin and 4 air presses. Made it up to 8 merkins and 32 air presses before time was called. Mosey back to launch for Name-O-Rama.
Announcements:
Area 51 gear is on sale. I’m sure High Tide will put a link in the comments section.
Beaver’s son just graduated from college and is looking for a job as an IT something. If you’re a computer dork and looking for a flunkie, get in touch with Beaver.
Moleskine
Highlights of the day include:
Wild Turkey and Prohibition running in. Pro wore his nice fancy running shoes because he didn’t think they’d get dirty (no way we’d spend a lot of time in the grass at a convergence!).
In 2 years at Base Camp, we’ve never used the Fairway Downs section. Not a bad little route. Add that to the rotation.
Pax did NOT like it when YHC headed for Rosecliff after the round of 7’s. It wasn’t that bad. Suck it up.
Fireman Ed was not very popular after the workout. A lot of pax are going to have trouble working the spatula or lifting their 12-oz. curls today.
During the Planker’s Delight, Ed called out “Go down with the person in front of you.” A lot of guys thought he said “On.” ‘Nuff said.
Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day. Keep our vets and fallen heroes in our hearts, as they allow us the freedom to do wonderful things such as F3. Goonie out.
36 men came together at RockZero to remember what Memorial Day is truly about: those men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms as Americans. With 4 shovel flags planted firmly into the earth, 3 Q’s ready to go, a FNG on hand, and a proper disclaimer disclaimed, we set off for what has become an annual tradition on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Here is how we did it:
Run with the shovel flags around the church to the main field in front of Calvary and gather in tight and take a knee. Alf told us that in World War II there were approximately 455,000 American deaths which was an average of almost 300 deaths per day. He then read the first citation of Medal Of Honor recipient Sergeant Darrell Cole. (all citations at bottom of back blast).
COP: Alf
Run with the shovel flags at the front of the group back around the church to the parking lot right across from the sandy playground. Everyone gathered in tight and took a knee while Prohibition told us that in the Vietnam War there were nearly 60,000 American deaths and over 150,000 wounded. He then read the second citation of Medal of Honor recipient Private First Class Oscar Austin.
Main Workout: Prohibition
Run with the shovel flags out front to soccer fields and bring it in tight and take a knee. Purple Haze then read the 3rd citation of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller.
The Finale: Purple Haze
As the clock hit 0800, Haze gathered all of us in together for name-o-rama and the ball of man led by Mermaid. It was an hour of pain, but nothing compared to what the men and women of the U.S. Military do on a daily basis fighting for the very freedoms that allow us to come together and participate in things F3.
The Naked Moleskin:
It was once again an absolute honor to help lead this moving workout that has become a tradition in Area51. Thank you all for joining us. Alf told me later that he has been to this workout 4 years in a row but reading the citation was more impactful than he would have imagined. That is so true. I encourage everyone to take some minutes at some point and look through different citations on the http://www.cmohs.org/ site. It is very moving to read what so many people have done for us. It is truly humbling and makes me very thankful for what I have.
This workout never gets easier. Whether it’s the sandbags, the hairburners, or the burpees, it is always awful. But as long as I have any say in the matter, it won’t change. That daunting feeling of 100 burpees in a row after a brutal workout. The thought of no way am I going to finish these when you are sitting at 30 burpees in. Then that crazy rush around the 75th burpee knowing that the end is in sight and I’m going to knock these out. What a feeling of accomplishment…and numbness. I couldn’t do any of that without my F3 brothers around me.
We have a number of veterans in F3 and several were with us this morning. Thank you for your service and I hope in your eyes the men of F3 are at least trying to do it right. We appreciate you and all that you have done for us.
A few observations:
Citations:
*COLE, DARRELL SAMUEL
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as leader of a Machinegun Section of Company B, 1st Battalion, 23d Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Assailed by a tremendous volume of small-arms, mortar and artillery fire as he advanced with 1 squad of his section in the initial assault wave, Sgt. Cole boldly led his men up the sloping beach toward Airfield No. 1 despite the blanketing curtain of flying shrapnel and, personally destroying with hand grenades 2 hostile emplacements which menaced the progress of his unit, continued to move forward until a merciless barrage of fire emanating from 3 Japanese pillboxes halted the advance. Instantly placing his 1 remaining machinegun in action, he delivered a shattering fusillade and succeeded in silencing the nearest and most threatening emplacement before his weapon jammed and the enemy, reopening fire with knee mortars and grenades, pinned down his unit for the second time. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation and evolving a daring plan of counterattack, Sgt. Cole, armed solely with a pistol and 1 grenade, coolly advanced alone to the hostile pillboxes. Hurling his 1 grenade at the enemy in sudden, swift attack, he quickly withdrew, returned to his own lines for additional grenades and again advanced, attacked, and withdrew. With enemy guns still active, he ran the gauntlet of slashing fire a third time to complete the total destruction of the Japanese strong point and the annihilation of the defending garrison in this final assault. Although instantly killed by an enemy grenade as he returned to his squad, Sgt. Cole had eliminated a formidable Japanese position, thereby enabling his company to storm the remaining fortifications, continue the advance, and seize the objective. By his dauntless initiative, unfaltering courage, and indomitable determination during a critical period of action, Sgt. Cole served as an inspiration to his comrades, and his stouthearted leadership in the face of almost certain death sustained and enhanced the highest tradition of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
AUSTIN, OSCAR P.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an assistant machine gunner with Company E, in connection with operations against enemy forces. During the early morning hours Pfc. Austin’s observation post was subjected to a fierce ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force supported by a heavy volume of hand grenades, satchel charges, and small arms fire. Observing that 1 of his wounded companions had fallen unconscious in a position dangerously exposed to the hostile fire, Pfc. Austin unhesitatingly left the relative security of his fighting hole and, with complete disregard for his safety, raced across the fire-swept terrain to assist the marine to a covered location. As he neared the casualty, he observed an enemy grenade land nearby and, reacting instantly, leaped between the injured marine and the lethal object, absorbing the effects of its detonation. As he ignored his painful injuries and turned to examine the wounded man, he saw a North Vietnamese Army soldier aiming a weapon at his unconscious companion. With full knowledge of the probable consequences and thinking only to protect the marine, Pfc. Austin resolutely threw himself between the casualty and the hostile soldier, and, in doing, was mortally wounded. Pfc. Austin’s indomitable courage, inspiring initiative and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Staff Sergeant Robert J. Miller
Citation: Robert J. Miller distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism while serving as the Weapons Sergeant in Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3312, Special Operations Task Force-33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan during combat operations against an armed enemy in Konar Province, Afghanistan on January 25, 2008. While conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol through the Gowardesh Valley, Staff Sergeant Miller and his small element of U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers engaged a force of 15 to 20 insurgents occupying prepared fighting positions. Staff Sergeant Miller initiated the assault by engaging the enemy positions with his vehicle’s turret-mounted Mark-19 40 millimeter automatic grenade launcher while simultaneously providing detailed descriptions of the enemy positions to his command, enabling effective, accurate close air support. Following the engagement, Staff Sergeant Miller led a small squad forward to conduct a battle damage assessment. As the group neared the small, steep, narrow valley that the enemy had inhabited, a large, well-coordinated insurgent force initiated a near ambush, assaulting from elevated positions with ample cover. Exposed and with little available cover, the patrol was totally vulnerable to enemy rocket propelled grenades and automatic weapon fire. As point man, Staff Sergeant Miller was at the front of the patrol, cut off from supporting elements, and less than 20 meters from enemy forces. Nonetheless, with total disregard for his own safety, he called for his men to quickly move back to covered positions as he charged the enemy over exposed ground and under overwhelming enemy fire in order to provide protective fire for his team. While maneuvering to engage the enemy, Staff Sergeant Miller was shot in his upper torso. Ignoring the wound, he continued to push the fight, moving to draw fire from over one hundred enemy fighters upon himself. He then again charged forward through an open area in order to allow his teammates to safely reach cover. After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire while moving from position to position, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His extraordinary valor ultimately saved the lives of seven members of his own team and 15 Afghanistan National Army soldiers. Staff Sergeant Miller’s heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty, and at the cost of his own life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.