Carlos Hazday

You read this one so long ago I'm surprised you even remember anything. Then again you're younger than I am so your memory's better!

Thank you! I've been discussing the story with a couple of people who agree this is not a military story but one about people in it. I want to provide a taste of what cadets go through, so most chapters will have scenes working towards that goal. Being limited to white briefs or boxer briefs is a little too much for me though.

The Air Force has relaxed some appearance requirements (we'll see a couple of them later) but on I-Day, the men are still sheared. I think it's unfair women don't go through the same shit. Sexist pigs!

Thanks, Tor

Hopefully, I'll be able to show just how intense. We now the physical demands are great, but the psychological pressures are just as hard. The classroom portion of this chapter is fictional, but the themes addressed do get air time during BCT and later during their 4 years

Not sure if he'll survive 4 years yet. It's been less than four months so far. LOL

Brett's a hottie, but unfortunately unavailable. I keep hoping he and Cesar reach the point so many gay couples do where they invite a third into their bed now and then. I was the first one in the sign up sheet, but I think getting a spot's harder than getting the Covid vaccine.

Will's going to hang around even after this story ends.

I think most military training is sink or swim. They do a decent job of weeding out those unable to handle the physical stuff. When I started researching, I was surprised at the emphasis the Academy places on physical fitness, however, I recently read the Pentagon spends nearly 1 billion dollars a year on obesity related matters. I'm hoping that's mostly with veterans. At the military academies, they also work on mental issues, but apparently not with enlisted airmen. Air Force Times had an article yesterday about the woman killed during the coup attempt (too bad she was the only one) who was an Air Force veteran. The article detailed her support for Trump, rants against immigrants, and beliefs in Q Anon conspiracy theory. Obviously, like many Trump supporters, she was unhinged.

“Shit! I forgot my retainer.” Ritch rummaged through his dopp kit’s pockets until realizing he had left it behind on the bathroom counter. The toiletry bag was a present from his fathers, embroidered with his name and the Air Force wings logo. Sitting back in the soft, leather seat, he was frustrated. Having hated every minute he had to wear braces, he used the dental appliance religiously. A mouthful of metal was not something he ever wanted to experience again. César tapped at his phone a

Excruciatingly slow. And unfortunately we have to wait 7 days for 24 hours to elapse. You're going to torture us and spread 3 days over 3 weeks, aren't you? Bad Mann. We need to look k you up in that cell with a computer, so you can write. No internet, Nifty, or PornHub for you. NO DISTRACTIONS!

@Baikalisan If you're looking for good shifter stories, try @Mann Ramblings Phases of Moon which is currently posting, and @WolfM's Running with the Pack. That one's the all-time most popular story on GA.

Thank you! I began work on a trilogy tracing the dolphins history and published the initial installment. However, the other two are languishing in my future stories folder. The interest is still there to complete them, but characters in my CJ series have been screaming for their own books, and that's what I've been concentrating on. I'll come back to this bunch sooner or later.

Thank you, Gary. I think experience, and lessons from beta readers and editors, have pushed me to better define characters. Although most of them are playful, I try to infuse each with their own personality. As someone told me, Ritch is crawling out from beneath his brother's shadow. But even as he spreads his wings, the family's influence on his personality and actions will not diminish. Oh, and there will be a couple of mini-sex scenes, but I try to use those to better define individuals. I keep telling everyone my stories are not intended to be read one-handed. Thanks again, bud.

LMAO! TMI? I don't even write detailed sex scenes any more. Well, maybe a couple of little ones in this story. Thank you. 2020 was a pain. Dad died and it took forever to get his ashes back because crematoriums are busy. My brothers flew in when we took them to the cemetery, but we did not do anything for fear of putting others at risk. One of my brothers turned 60 a couple of days before Christmas, the other one turns 50 two days from today, we had hoped to all get together over the holidays to celebrate both milestones, but COVID interfered. I can't wait until we regain some sense of normalcy.

I think I snuck a redhead in the next chapter. Damn buzz cuts make it hard to see. And I'm not sure about wrestlers, but there are a couple of boxers and football players to ogle get to know.

Thanks, Tony. Glad you enjoyed the opening salvo. More next week.

I may need a couple of Air Force cadets to protect me!

Thanks, bud. Happy New Year.

You're one up on me. I've been to Vail, but never to Colorado Springs. It's on my list of places to visit because of the Academy. Unfortunately, the chapel's being renovated, and under scaffolding, through 2023.

I have no personal experience with the military, so I had to do a lot of reading, trying to get details right. I hope you recognize a tidbit or two based on your family's experience. Happy 2021, sir!

Thank, Jeff. Mom died a couple of years ago and Dad we lost last year. At his age, it wasn't unexpected. As you can see in this chapter, even though Ritch's in Colorado by himself, the extended CJ cast of characters will float around him. I made sure I stuck a couple of digs at Trump in the story just for you LOL

Thanks, Jay. Wait no more, and the story's a longer one so it'll be around for a couple of months. Ritch's on his own, so we'll get to see more of his personality. Hope I do him justice.

When I decided to turn Ritchie to Ritch, and eventually give him a nickname, I knew I was playing with fire. It's hard to accept changes to characters we've come to love. But I decided it was one more sign the little kid was growing up and on his way to becoming an officer in the Air Force. Last year it was gay football players on 1/1 (partially inspired by your own story) this year it's Air Force cadets. Let's see what I come up with next time. PS Get ready, the next story I have planned is Turtle Trouble.

LMFAO I'm so happy to see your name pop up in my notifications. Happy New Year, Def. Maybe you should fly to Colorado with me when we can. Visiting the Academy would be fun. Mountains, Mid-Century Modern architecture, cowboys, cadets... Hell, I even have a long-haired guitarist in the mix!