Pics from Doc

Face timing with Alex and Andre at the same time on Mother's Day. 

It was great!

Sent by a ward member who feeds them every week.

Here's what's up with Andre...

So I've been telling Aunt Snick for a while now that I would update the family on everything that's going on with me, and so here it goes!

You probably all know that I moved down to Fort Rucker, Alabama this summer, so I've been here about 5 months now. It was a rude awakening going from summer in Montana to summer in Alabama because the humidity is absolutely terrible! However, I quickly knew that I would enjoy it here for the next year or so. In September I went through a 5 week course called BOLC (Basic Officer Leader Course). It essentially gets all new officers on the same page in the Aviation branch. 

From there, in October, I went through a 3 week course called SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape). It is a mandatory course for all pilots because we are considered to be at higher risk of being isolated in a non permissive environment. The name explains what we had to learn and practice, essentially what to do if your helicopter goes down in a bad place. It was a very tough course, physically, mentally, and emotionally. There were several reasons why it was difficult, but at one point I had gone over 80 hours without any sort of food, and 36 hours without sleep! For those wondering about my picture with the mustache, it is a silly tradition that the men grow a stache throughout the 3 weeks of SERE. It kinda helps lighten the mood when you're in a bad situation and you see people with funny mustaches!

I haven't done anything real significant since SERE got over last month. I am currently on hold to start flying in January. I am excited to start, but it has definitely been nice to sort of relax a bit for a while before I get into the tough academics and flight instruction that await me. I've been able to hang out with my friends and my dog Lucky. We try to find fun things to do in Alabama. We went to the national peanut festival in Dothan a while back and we even were able to go to the demolition derby. The amount of rednecks there was phenomenal!

Anyway, I'm glad I get to go home next week and see my family! It will be nice to binge drink egg nog and give out some presents and stuff. If you ever find yourself in the South, you know where to find me! 

Love, Andre

Spartan Race

Andre Solomon with friend Matt Nielsen

October 17, 2015

Welcome to Saraland, Alabama. Spartans, prepare to enter the swampy South. This 90 acre venue has a dynamic landscape riddled with challenging terrain the Spartan course designers are sure to use to slow you down. From sandy highlands to swampy bogs, prairie land to forest, this course has a little bit of everything. Be prepared to get mucky and dirty as Spartan transforms this southern location into the ultimate obstacle course race.

Click HERE for Andre's race results!!

Andre Solomon update....

Alabama has been great! We have a nice house on post and I've met lots of friends here. I only just started the initial phase of flight school which is my Basic Officer Leader Course. Essentially, officers come from many different commissioning sources so we do this initial course to get everyone on the same page. I have a dog named Lucky. She is a black lab puppy. We have a good time together!

Andre and roommate Matt Nielsen

New puppies :)

Caught in a downpour!

Andre's trip to Nepal

We are getting ready to leave Nepal in a few hours. We just want to thank all of the people here that have made this such a fantastic experience for us. You guys are awesome and we loved visiting your country!

Video of Andre tearing down a wall of a collapsed house.
Click HERE to watch.

Andre's West Point Graduation

Friday, May 22
Beginning of Parade with West Point Parachute Team

View of parade from Washington Hall

After the parade - very handsome!!

We had a tour of the grounds & facilities on Friday after the parade...

General George Washington

General George Patton

Hudson River in the background

Day before graduation, prior to the formal banquet:
Connor, Snick, Mom, Suzy, Andre, Milo, Alex, Georgia, Ned

Andre looking handsome in his India Whites

At the banquet on Friday night. Cool mess hall!!

Hat Toss at end of graduation on Saturday, May 23
Class of 2015 DISMISSED!!

Andre and his roommate Christian with diplomas in-hand!

Congratulations Andre!!

Lieutenant Andre L. Solomon

Commissioning at Trophy Point

Being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army
by friend, LDS member & West Point Historian, Sherman L. Fleek.

Suzy & Milo pinning the stripes on Andre's uniform

It is a tradition in our Army that newly commissioned second lieutenants present a silver dollar to the first enlisted Soldier who salutes them. The coin symbolically acknowledges the receipt of respect due the new rank and position.