whats the jazz about this new supt

The “urban legend” or “lore” about a muti-panel mural that is hanging or at least used to be displayed in the south end of Fairchild Hall on the t-zo level was that it depicted a suicide by a cadet.

My guess is this mural was from pre-1976 because, if my memory is correct, it also depicted male 4 degrees either being trained or inspected out in a dormitory hallway while only wearing their “tighty whities”.

There is one panel in this mural where it looks like a dead cadet with blood splattered and something written on the mirror above the “ valet”. As lore had it, the dead cadet had a blank round in the M1 Garand and had inserted a pencil into the muzzle.

Fast forward to the summer of 1990 and early spring 1991 ( right before our first Recognition), us 94’ers were issued M1 Garands. They had a metal rod inserted into the chamber, and it was welded in place. I am assuming that was in an effort to prevent such a suicide from happening again. When those metal rods were welded in there…I have no idea.
 
ZoomieFrom1994 said:
The “urban legend” or “lore” about a muti-panel mural that is hanging or at least used to be displayed in the south end of Fairchild Hall on the t-zo level was that it depicted a suicide by a cadet.

My guess is this mural was from pre-1976 because, if my memory is correct, it also depicted male 4 degrees either being trained or inspected out in a dormitory hallway while only wearing their “tighty whities”.

There is one panel in this mural where it looks like a dead cadet with blood splattered and something written on the mirror above the “ valet”. As lore had it, the dead cadet had a blank round in the M1 Garand and had inserted a pencil into the muzzle.

Fast forward to the summer of 1990 and early spring 1991 ( right before our first Recognition), us 94’ers were issued M1 Garands. They had a metal rod inserted into the chamber, and it was welded in place. I am assuming that was in an effort to prevent such a suicide from happening again. When those metal rods were welded in there…I have no idea.
Click to expand...
The mural was removed last year
 
ZoomieFrom1994 said:
The “urban legend” or “lore” about a muti-panel mural that is hanging or at least used to be displayed in the south end of Fairchild Hall on the t-zo level was that it depicted a suicide by a cadet.

My guess is this mural was from pre-1976 because, if my memory is correct, it also depicted male 4 degrees either being trained or inspected out in a dormitory hallway while only wearing their “tighty whities”.

There is one panel in this mural where it looks like a dead cadet with blood splattered and something written on the mirror above the “ valet”. As lore had it, the dead cadet had a blank round in the M1 Garand and had inserted a pencil into the muzzle.

Fast forward to the summer of 1990 and early spring 1991 ( right before our first Recognition), us 94’ers were issued M1 Garands. They had a metal rod inserted into the chamber, and it was welded in place. I am assuming that was in an effort to prevent such a suicide from happening again. When those metal rods were welded in there…I have no idea.
Click to expand...
My memory is fuzzy, but I believe it was a standard black government pen in the rifle, but I can't say for sure; it was a long time ago. My father was the senior medical officer on duty that day and had the sad job of going, etc...etc...

When I received my M1 at USAFA (3532600) it was demilitarized with a 100-penny nail welded in the receiver. That was 1979.
 
flieger83 said:
My memory is fuzzy, but I believe it was a standard black government pen in the rifle, but I can't say for sure; it was a long time ago. My father was the senior medical officer on duty that day and had the sad job of going, etc...etc...

When I received my M1 at USAFA (3532600) it was demilitarized with a 100-penny nail welded in the receiver. That was 1979.
Click to expand...

That’s impressive that you still remember the serial number of your Garand.

It is sad that a cadet chose to go the suicide route as an “escape” for whatever he was going through.
 
Back to the question of where did the term "doolie" come from? I've just started a new book...Doolie...written by a grad from the class of 1961, back when cadets still were at Lowry.

The book suggests that "doolie" may have originated in the word "do-willy" that was in use in those early days when upperclassmen addressed new incoming cadets. Supposedly at some point "do-willy" morphed into "doolie". Seems possible.
 
I thought it was a West Point or maybe even an Annapolis thing.

The term “doolie” was derived from some Greek word like “doolus” which meant slave.
 
soccer67 said:
Why was that? From what little I saw of the last few pages, I can see that some might think the drift of the conversation was away from the typical concerns of prospective applicants and parents that seem to make up the bulk of the conversations.

But so what? I came here looking for a discussion where the major players were grads and cadets, meaning those with skin in the game. Certainly there is a place for the questions and concerns of the hopeful, but is this it? Should anyone think that an open and frank discussion of today's situation might bruise the tender sensitivities of the wannabes and their loved ones, then perhaps we are taking our eyes off the ball. Is the mascot still a falcon or have we replaced it with a unicorn?
Click to expand...
Ouch to Sq. 18
 
The Greek word in question is doulos, pronounced do-loss. I would like to know how the word originated. I had assumed, incorrectly, that it was short for Doolittle since the new cadets used to be dropped off on I day at Doolittle Hall. If you want to go down the new sup rabbit hole then search fat tony Air Force on Reddit.
 
soccer67 said:
Back to the question of where did the term "doolie" come from? I've just started a new book...Doolie...written by a grad from the class of 1961, back when cadets still were at Lowry.

The book suggests that "doolie" may have originated in the word "do-willy" that was in use in those early days when upperclassmen addressed new incoming cadets. Supposedly at some point "do-willy" morphed into "doolie". Seems possible.
Click to expand...
Fun fact, there is a terrific aviation museum still in Lowry in Denver, and they have a whole exhibit devoted to when the cadets were there. If you're ever in the Denver area, it is definitely worth a visit!
 
soccer67 said:
I don't think we had bayonets. I don't remember if the M1s had firing pins or not. Gun policy was different then. I think we could keep personal weapons in the sq storage rooms along with civvies, etc. Can't imagine that being the case these days.
Click to expand...
"I think we could keep personal weapons in the sq storage rooms along with civvies."

When I was a 4-Degree, a Firstie in my squad was dismissed from the Zoo for having a firearm in the squadron storage room, in his trunk locker.

Apparently, it was a weekend, there was alcohol involved, and an angry dispute. His position was such that he had the keys to storage room. The Firstie was able to retrieve his firearm and threaten/brandish another upperclassman.

He was definitely dismissed from the Wing. I don't know if there were any further Non-Judicial Punishment or Court Martial investigation. I was a four degree; they didn't tell us jack. I don't know what his discharge papers said, but I find it hard to believe they said "honorable." I don't know if they sent him to the enlisted ranks or just out the door.

I do know that as a damage-mitigation-contrition the squad 4-Degrees were assembled and he apologized to us for poor judgement, and he cautioned us to not follow his example. Afterwards, the AOC made it clear that it wasn't only the menacing, but that it was a firearm not properly secured in an armory. He promised us a ticket home if caught with a firearm. It is not unusual for DoD commanders to restrict personal firearms from barracks. This was either in Dec 89 or Jan 90.

I remember feeling terribly for the guy. I'll describe him as very chill and personable (clearly, I'm not the one that was assaulted). All that prep during grade school and high school. 3.5 years at the Zoo with the finish line in sight.

End of the long story... by 1989, if not much sooner, cadets were required to secure personal, operable firearms with the armorer (whoever that was). (Alternatively - keep them secretly secure in your footlocker, and avoid drunken arguments that send you into an unhinged rage).
 
ZoomieFrom1994 said:
I thought it was a West Point or maybe even an Annapolis thing.

The term “doolie” was derived from some Greek word like “doolus” which meant slave.
Click to expand...
"The term “doolie” was derived from some Greek word like “doolus” which meant slave."

That is what the 1980s, official USAFA marketing brochures suggested. You remember that also.
I say suggested, because it was something like: [paraphrase] "It's been said that the term originates from ..."

Back when we were there no one - absolutely no one ever - used the term Doolie. It was considered gauche. If someone used that term you knew they were referencing marketing material and lacked practical experience.
 
There was a time, either just before we began our doolie year or maybe during, when some unbeliever shot the chapel from the upper west end of the dorm. No clue what the outcome was. Given the mandatory attendance for everyone, the oppressively uncomfortable parade uniform that was the style back then, and the derision that met the admonition we received one Sunday from the pulpit that coveting a Corvette was "sinful", it was probably deserved.
 
soccer67 said:
There was a time, either just before we began our doolie year or maybe during, when some unbeliever shot the chapel from the upper west end of the dorm. No clue what the outcome was. Given the mandatory attendance for everyone, the oppressively uncomfortable parade uniform that was the style back then, and the derision that met the admonition we received one Sunday from the pulpit that coveting a Corvette was "sinful", it was probably deserved.
Click to expand...
Mandatory attendance at Mass?!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top