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02/07/2003 Entry: "Air Force Triva"

In light of the recent note that brought back a plane from National here's some Air Force trivia for a change:

Form O-96 – This form is used by cadets at their table in Mitchell Hall to report on the quality of food and service. The real intent is to use the Form O-96 as a training aide to teach fourth classman how to fill out an Air Force form (black pen, within the space given); how to make corrections on a form (single line through and initials); how to properly make comments, including negative ones, on an official form; and how to follow procedures in a short period of time under pressure. USAFA folklore explains that the normal blocks to check if the meal and service were fine: fast-neat-average, friendly-good-good. These words were allegedly used in Vietnam as a challenge and response during a successful rescue attempt in which the downed pilot was a USAFA graduate, but did not remember the challenge/response for the day. Cadets and graduates on commercial flights have been known to write on a napkin “fast-neat-average” then ask a flight attendant to give it to the cockpit crew for the proper response.