Skully says, 'OOORAH!!!'

  • Published
  • By Col. Brad Spacy
  • Commander, 88th Air Base Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  When I came out of infantry school as a young Lieutenant I was extremely excited!  I learned all kinds of cool stuff how to shoot machine guns, throw grenades, lead troops on combat patrols and a bunch of other things.  I had been gone from my family about 16 weeks by the time I was all done with training and couldn't wait to tell my young wife Lisa all about it.

Lisa listened patiently as I told her what a great warfighter I had become.  She nodded occasionally and commented as appropriate, "Sounds interesting," "Wow, you sure did good," "Oh boy, how exciting ..."

She reacted exactly how I expected her to; obviously onboard with my combat attitude that is until I told her I wanted to get a tattoo somewhere on my body to commemorate my new status as a warfighting stud!  I was thinking of something with barbed-wire, maybe a machine gun, and definitely a skull!  Again she listened patiently until I finished and said, "Hmmm, well just so we're clear you're not getting a tattoo anywhere on your body."  She was calm but firm.  It was the first of many arguments I've lost with her over the last 22 years.  

But she did agree to draw me a skull (although she hates it when I tell people that), and drew Skully.  She said I could put it on anything except my body, and I have done just that.  I put him everywhere because he is a constant reminder of the excitement and enthusiasm I have for the Air Force, for my role in defending America, and that although our jobs can be tough; we are tougher!  

I also say "OOORAH!!!" a lot and it goes along with Skully.  I've been saying "OOORAH!!!" since long before I came in the Air Force.  I am not sure when I started but it was when I was young.  I say it when I'm motivated or excited; it just jumps out!  As we roll into our ORI, I hope when you see Skully or hear me say "OOORAH!!! you'll be as motivated as I am.  

Also, listen to what Skully said; he is a smart, gung-ho warfighter and knows what he is talking about!  I've known you all for about a year and know what you can do -- I know we're ready for our wartime mission and we're definitely ready for this ORI!

OOORAH!!!