The morning always comes earlier if you have stayed out all night. When some think back on their college days, there are fond memories of bar hops, coed parties, and the logistical beauty of 3 p.m. classes. Such luxuries are not afforded to the airframe and powerplant (A&P) students. We are a different breed of college student and have the emotional scars to prove it. Thankfully, our curriculum in the late 1900s did not include human factors, or I would have failed it miserably.
The working A&P student endures a version of their version of the Crucible [the Marine Corps’ culminating physical challenge of recruit training]; only it lasts two years, not 54 hours. Before you Marine Corps types come at me, I trained with you guys at NAS Millington and have the utmost respect for your work on and off the base. Let’s leave it at that for now. Ooh-rah. Did the Aviation Structures Mechanic training I received in the Navy help prepare me for A&P School? Sure it did, in technical skill and the ability to twist safety wire on three hours of sleep.
