Assignment Night

Well, it's finally upon us: Daniel's Assignment Night. The night we find out what Daniel will be flying and where we'll be living for the next three to four years. Assignment night has always seemed so far away for us, and now that it's here we can hardly believe it.

The Air Force gives each of the three pilot training bases aircraft which the flight commanders can assign to their students or trade to another base. The students are given a list of all the aircraft which have been handed to the bases which they then rank in order of preference not knowing which aircraft their base has or how many of one type. Typically there is a commander conference call where they trade assignments on their students' behalf. Flight commanders try to give their students their top choice if they can. For example, the top student will get his first choice, the second best student will get his first choice if it's available and his second choice if it is not, etc.

Assignment night is a big event that is held at the base club. Friends and family are invited and the banquet hall is always filled to capacity. Each student is called up to the front of the room, forced to listen to a humorous, teasing roast about himself and then is shown his assigned aircraft and location on a large screen. It seems that most people are pleased with their assignments, but there are always some who are very disappointed. I've attended several Assignment Nights and have always enjoyed them.

Daniel will receive his assignment this Thursday evening. He turned in his preference list this morning and we have no idea what our assignment will be. We're anxious and excited to find out! We will definitely be posting what we get, so check back on Friday! :-)