USCGA2013

I have heard that there is a special way you have to eat, where you are not allowed to look at your food or something. Can somebody please explain this to me in greater detail. Also, do Aimsters eat the same way swabs do?

Xiphos55

From what I understand, you must keep your "eyes in the boat" and "square your corners". This involves looking directly ahead (except when using a knife when you are allowed to GLANCE at your food). Also only eating by lifting food directly to mouth level, then bringing it directly to the mouth, making a square angle. Also other things like "bringing food aboard" that aren't directly related to your eating methods.

trackandfield08

Yep, AIMsters eat the same way Swabs do. Dont forget..."BOOM sir/ma'am Ive been hit! Permission to lay low and check for damages?" and then you get to come up with some kind of story

zachogden

there's a lot of "tradition" that goes down at meal time. some of that goes away at the conclusion of swab summer, such as 180 seconds, though 90% of it remains. For those that don't know what 180 seconds is, here's the overview:

at some point the head table will call "leave at will" over the loudspeaker. 180 seconds later, all the swabs will scream as loud as they can "[SIR/MA'AM], ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY SECONDS HAVE FLEETINGLY FLIT INTO THE DARK AGES OF THE PAST SINCE THE CADET IN COMMAND GAVE ABANDON AT RANDOM. MAY I PLEASE BE EXCUSED, [SIR/MA'AM]?" The idea is to enforce the concept that you should wait until the most senior people at a meal leave before you do. In reality it's a hilarious screaming match.

Regardless, you will get used to squaring after a bit. It's awkward and hard at first but after doing it for 8 weeks it feels oddly natural so don't worry about it too much. Getting "carry-on" at meals is certainly a treat though!

Bossf51

ZO I think some day you will be the Regimental Commander if not the Commandant of the whole Coast Guard!

trackandfield08

180 second was actually a lot of fun...my cadre always had our table do it at least twice if not three times. Towards the end of AIM, when it was time for 180 seconds, he would just put his hands over his ears and put his elbows on the table...of course, we followed what he was doing, it was interesting looking around and watching everyone else screaming when you're not doing it lol.

tman135

..."BOOM sir/ma'am Ive been hit! Permission to lay low and check for damages?" Is no longer allowed. We had to stop doing it about half way through swab summer. Improper table manners I guess....

zachogden

Oh the irony!

Bossf51

Kind of a funny story. The other night I was talking with my 1/c on the phone. At some point I hear a little disturbance. Turns out some random 4/c walked into his room unannounced and uninvited. I guess he thought it was another 4/c's room. My son kind of let him have it...ha ha.

trackandfield08

Well, Ill take that as a good thing lol. Considering one of my cadre for AIM had this annoying little habit of throwing food at you (corn, rice, etc.) and making you make up a story...or you used your knife as a lightsaber and tried to block the food. Not much fun when you're defending yourself from jelly packets lol.

zachogden

Would you happen to remember his/her name?

trackandfield08

Of course! I couldnt forget him lol His name was Patrick Collins or Mr. Collins as he called him. Hes in Charlie Company.

Xiphos55

"..." -The Great Collins
He lost his voice by the time week three rolled around.

trackandfield08

really? did you attend AIM week three?