I and the four other Aussies [Lt Jono Giles NSW, CUO Rob Taylor NSW, CUO Josh Hirst WA, WO Travis Grundell NT] met with 'cadets' from Austria, Cayman Islands, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea and the UK in America.
Jet lag had the potential to become an issue [I think the guys worked out we only had bits of sleep over a forty hour period even before we reached JFK Airportlace; however everyone soon got used to thriving off two hours, four if you were lucky, sleep a night. No need for sleep when you’re having fun! [Some other Aussies might dispute this – namely those who fell asleep on the bus rides, through the baseball game, whilst the very loud banging of STOMP production went on, during the IMAX ‘Hell’s Angels’ Space movie, etc etc].
Our first area of travel was New York – big, bold, loud. Staying in Manhattan, we were in walking or subway distance from most of the sites. Times Square was a primary destination – with streets bordered by higher-rise buildings and colourful advertising. Shopping sprees were inevitable due to the cheap prices and good Australian dollar. Jono, our Aussie escort and Josh from WA both had to buy an extra bag to fit in all of the additional luggage.
We spent half a day at Coney Island, which boasted of the first rollercoaster ever built – in 1901. We were assured that it had been reconditioned since then before we jumped in for the ride! We took on the challenge of lots of random, spinning rides as well as the typical ‘dodge ‘em carts’, machines you attempt to pick up toys with the electronic hand [Travis from NT was an expert and after numerous quarters, eventually scored two – inc a Yankee baseball doll], and the shooting games.
A live performance of STOMP was truly amazing. Five performers were able to use bin lids, matches, sinks, sand to make some surprisingly great rhythms. The audience was able to get involved – clapping and stomping in time with the artists for the finale. That night, we had the opportunity to take a look over the lights of New York City from the height of the Empire State Building. America in general openly respects its military personnel, and wearing military uniform to the ESB allowed us to not only go to the front of the queue, but enter free of charge.
Next day, after a short ferry ride and some thorough security [we were tested for radioactive substances] we were able to climb the 500+ stairs inside the Statue of Liberty and look out once again over the stunning view of New York, this time during the day. A visit to their eye-opening immigration museum also awaited us.
We lined up to be part of the taping of ‘Total Request Live’ at MTV studio which was an interesting addition to the USA's program. The highlight for me was being able to look out the full-length mirrors over the busy street of New York below.
The streets of New York: lots of scaffolding along the pavement, technology that counts down the number of seconds until the green man flashes to signal you can cross the street, the driving is aggressive, people walk into the middle of the road to wave down a taxi, lots of small stalls on the side all selling similar stuff – prints of New York, caps etc, holes in the road to allow the pollution from the subway escape from underground.
Later that night we watched the entirety of a 4 hour baseball game, of which the NY Yankees claimed victory. Compared to sport matches at the MCG, the 80,000 crowd was much quieter, but indeed funnier, with people dancing on their seats when the speakers pumped out 90s classics. They got extremely excited if a Mexican wave started and went around once – compare that to it happening so often at the one-day cricket matches that it has been banned at the MCG! At a quite random time during the game – with two innings to go, everyone stood up and we were told to remember those serving in ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’ and all sung the American anthem.
Afterwards, a small group of us caught a cab to Ground Zero – where the twin towers once were. At twelve/one-ish in the morning, the night was still warm, the streets were (fairly) quiet, all creating a subdued atmosphere. This was one of my personal highlights of the trip.
All of this was fitted into three days, before a 6 hour bus trip to Washington DC which consisted of lots of Australian songs and resting up. On the way we had a tour of the Aberdeen Proving Ground. We stayed at American University - which emanated the summer atmosphere portrayed in all Hollywood college movies. Here we had a formal dinner of authentic Korean food (a welcome change to the ubiquitous Maccas, beagles and pretzels). All were surprised that the Aussies were so custom to Asian cuisine and using chopsticks!
Not much of America’s program was military-based, but that which was focused on their civil war and the Marine Corps. Next day we went to Quantico, Virginia. We had a through look at the National Museum of the Marine Corps which consisted of aeroplanes suspended from the roof, life-sized displays of tanks and soldiers, and plenty of well-chosen photos and stories.
At the Marine Corps Base we got to have a go on basically a WTTS range. It was interesting to note their much more relaxed attitude in terms of safety for these activities. A few of the ACE guys had go at wrestling one of the Marines, though inevitably the Marine won, though DJ, from Netherlands gave him a run for his money. For all of the meals we had at Messes we all noticed the high grease content in all of the food and the prolific amounts of soft drink consumed. The military bases are huge – with Maccas on base, schools, housing, virtually freeways and in one case a train line!
That night a group of us spent some time at various monuments at the National Mall and got to look at the outside of the White House.
On Thursday we then had a guided tour of Gettysburg Battlefield which was the site of a prominent battle during the civil war. We got to spend a few hours at Wal-Mart – the excitement for this was beyond proportion! We then were welcomed to Corporal Seamus Garrehy’s ranch – an ex marine. His entire lounge room was covered in Marine Corps memorabilia – posters, photographs, badges. His ‘backyard’ was basically a huge field, which we were told was once the place of a mass grave for the civil war. I tried my hand at America's version of football but after a while the game turned into a much easier game of ‘chasey’. We were then formed up and had the privilege of listening to ‘Taps’ [equivalent to our Last Post] whilst we looked over the field.
Friday we toured Arlingtonl Cemetery [where JF Kennedy is buried]. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to help represent the ACE group by taking part in the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns, which is guarded constantly.
We then visited National Mall again, this time during the day, looking at the memorials for the Vietnam War, Horean War, WWII and the Lincoln memorial. We then walked to the Washington Monument – a tall, thin building from which we had a 360° view of the surrounds, including the White House and National Mall.That night was the evening Parade at the Marine Barracks Washington. The drill was predictably great, as was the band. The parade was attended by a huge number – with people having to sit or stand on the pavement due to lack of seats.Our exploration of America then took us down to HomeSweet Home Alabama where we participated in a typical American Summer camp and undertook the ‘Aviation Challenge’! On the night before the camp officially started we were lucky enough to have our last night of freedom at the ten-pin bowling ally. At the US Space and Rocket Centre we learnt [some much better than others] how to fly simulator planes. We spent everyday in the water – swimming, rafting or playing out scenarios of parachuting into water or getting out of a sinking helicopter. We all got to experience at least 3Gs of gravity in a variety of simulators, completed leadership-based activities and got to rock climb and zip line on a number of occasions. In our spare time we had fun playing sand volleyball or four-square with a large bouncy ball, as opposed to the Aussie tennis ball.
And then it was on the way back to the real Home Sweet Home – Aussie land. This exchange allowed us not only to experience the culture of the country we visited, but also mingle with cadets from all over the globe and find out about their culture too. We all keep in touch and miss each other so much all ready [they say they especially miss our Aussie humour] but it was definitely a worthwhile opportunity that provided us with a much more practical, fun and varied educational experience than I would have received had I stayed at school for the two weeks instead! Thanks so much to all those involved in allowing this to happen, especially Major Bence and Major Kirk.
