Last Newbie of Seventeen

LCDR. Bambi "BamBam" Baxter joins the Blues as the year's last newbie to receive her helmet and wings, 12/15/2017.

It had been a dream of LCDR. Bambi Baxter to be part of the Blue Angels. Head surgeon with 7th Fleet, serving aboard the Battle Cat, Doc joined the squadron as intern this season and as the year approaches its end, the Blues decided it was time to reward her hard work and tenacity by welcoming her as a full member. She will be flying as Right Wing in the Diamond, Angel 2, replacing LT. Chardy "Hinch" Oak, who has been placed in reserve due to real life matters, that always come first. Given her call sign while serving with the Angels, appropriately by the one she is replacing, LCDR. Bambi "BamBam" Baxter starts her first year with the team with a long and hard path ahead, and determined to clear her newbie year with flying colors. In the traditional private ceremony, held today at NAS Miramar, she received her helmet and wings cases.

From left: "Speed", "Cougar", "QB", "Bambam", Yoda (!) and "Hawk".

Yes, you read right. Yoda. LT. Blueskind's new "pet".

A tradition maintained. "BamBam" gets to paint her Cougar. BuNo 131222.

Well earned, "BamBam". But you need to keep it, as all Blues do.

It is our privilege to serve in this role, honoring the real life Blue Angels squadron, and we take it very seriously. Just as we take seriously representing the United States Navy in this virtual world, both in the Blues and in our regular SL USN assignments. To become a Naval Aviator in this Third Fleet as well as in 7th Fleet, from where our pilots come from, takes patience, work, dedication and resilience. It is a responsibility and it comes with work not many are wiling to do in a world where most get everything for very little or nothing. And that is where the major factor to be accepted by the squadron comes into play: hard work.

LCDR. Baxter, like all of us, was evaluated by her skill but most of all by her will. And she has cleared the test. Earning a place among the Blues is just the first step, and some achieve it with matching skill, talent and determination, others need to work harder to make the final cut, when they are recognized by their peers as a full fledged Blue Angel, once their first season ends, but all need their will to be unquestionable and true. Such is the process in this Second Life's US Navy. And so we were very pleased to say "WELCOME TO THE TEAM, ASSHOLE!" to one of the hardest working and determined naval aviators that ever joined us.

Well done, "BamBam". Now it begins.

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NFDTXO/Angel 7