Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Jody Drill Team

In 1970 and 1971, I was on the Jody Drill Team at Lowery AFB, outside of Denver ... joined it because I didn't want the hassle of inspections and marching to class ... still have my blue and white "rope" I wore to distinguish myself as a member of a special group.  

Remember names like Zac Richardson (?), and my room-mates "Joe Nicoletti and Mickey Donnelly".

Loved it ... loved the travel and competition.  Will post pictures of different people whenever I get them:

Here we are marching in early 1971 ... I think that's our commander "Zac" (back to you) at the time:




"Gomer" Tim Curran (left) and Commander Jon Stalnaker (center).  On the right is a guy who I think was named "Beasley"





Also:



Found a picture of me

Here is a picture of Ed Coleman (on the left) and Joe Nicoletti (my room mate) on the right:


My other room mate, Mickey Donnelly:



Joe Nicoletti sent in this picture of us in full uniform, on the practice field:


Here's some pictures Steve Sliasky sent in:










You can email me at tim.gatton@gmail.com




41 comments:

  1. I was on the Jody drill team too in 1976. It was a lot of fun.

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    1. Hey, i was there at that time too! Newman was my name back then. Probably joined in Apr/May, shipped out in Dec '76. Was Guide for the last few months. AFSC 32172Q. Great year (Bi-Centennial) to be a military marching unit! You guys had me marching on top of a freaking STONE WALL duty jury .. so darn mean! And marching in a skirt in November in Colorado was zero fun. Lol, my knees *still* ache from doing that.

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    2. I was Jody at same time, last name Braley.

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  2. I was a member an B-flight commander 1981

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    1. I visited there in about 1981 and saw practice going on ... and since this blog is about the only mention of Jody on the web, I wish everyone would post their names. Maybe in a few decades, someone will recognize each other ;-)

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    2. You may have seen me practicing. I was on JODY in 80 - 81. Also a "red rope" for the 52nd for a bit. Great times. Ken Kaiser - Charlotte, NC

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    3. "tpg", you may have seen me practicing. I was on JODY in 1980 - 81. Also a "red rope" for the 52nd for a bit. Loved it all. Would give anything to see a video of ANY drill team doing the same drill style ("British Manual"?) that we did so I could show my kids. Photos just don't show it adequately. Ken Kaiser - Charlotte, NC

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  3. Roddey StevensonMay 6, 2014 at 1:48 PM

    I was on it in 1976-77. It kept me out of details etc. Got to do some traveling while a member. Still have a few photos around somewhere.

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  4. I was on in '78 during Intel twch school.

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  5. I was on the Jody Drill Team in '78 while going to Intel tech school.

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  6. Was on the Jody Drill Team at Lowry in 1968-69 while in Avionics F-4E Weapons Control Systems training. Hated to have horses in front of us in the parade - had to watch where you stomped your jump boots ;)

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    1. I was on the team in 69-70 - I was appointed as the Guide and later commanded the team while also serving as the C-shift yellow rope for the F4-E avionics training program. I remember well trying to march and avoid the horse "presents." I learned how to spit-shine my spider-laced boots using melted polish and a lighter while drinking homemade sangria from a Styrofoam cooler. I stayed in for 31 years and still have the ropes. Great memories. W.T. (Bill) Coleman, Colonel, USAF (Ret)

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    2. Late '68 To '69. 462 weapons. Marched down town Denver

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  7. I was one of five white guys on a pretty much all black Jody Drill Team on Hanscom Field, Bedford, MA back in '67. Boy did we jive - - -

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    1. Wow ... I had no idea that there were "Jody's" at other bases

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    2. I was on that team, too. The only red headed guy. Loved marching in the St. Patrick's Day parade.

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  8. I was on the Jody drill team at Lowrey in early `69 while at tech school for weapons maintenance - gun pods, F4 - later posted to Tokota outside of Tokyo.

    Paul Albert

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  9. I was on the drill team at Lowry while going through WCS school for the F-4C/D models. That was the fall of 1981. Mike Huyck

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  10. Shane Murphy, CMSgt (Retired, NYANG)January 8, 2017 at 3:14 PM

    I was on the Team from June-October 1970. Joined to get out of inspections in the regular squadron (not sure of the number but 40th squadron seems to ring a bell)but loved the drill and travel. Stayed in the NYANG for 39 years after graduation. And, I still have my rope.

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    1. Wow Shane ... I probably took your bunk ... LOL. My room mates were also in the NYANG ... Nicoletti and Donatelli are the names I remember.

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    2. Like all of you I too was on the Jody Drill Team at Lowry AFB. It was 1973 and I was in tech school for Supply.
      Because my training period was so short I never made it past B Team.
      It was a lot of fun and had many perks, like living in the brand new barrack!

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  11. AH HI HO
    HI HO
    HI
    HI HO
    AH HI HO
    HI HO
    HI
    HI HO
    Lawery AFB 1964-1966
    I remember JODY well. Is there any film?

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  12. I was on the Jody drill team at Lowry 1983

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  13. I was on the Jody Drill Team at Lowry in 1972, still have my rope, weapons spec.

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  14. Was on Jody Drill Team early 1979. Was there for Missile Maintenance Training. Have a few pics from those days. Might scan them and post some day. Was active AF for 7 years and finished with 15 years in the AF Reserves

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  15. Looking for anyone there late 80-early 81 I marched with you St Patrick's day 81! What a blast that was!

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  16. Arrived Lowry SEP 1979 and joined Jody because it looked awesome - and it was!!! Was determined to make A Flight and did in record time. Was fortunate to perform in St. Patricks parade, the closing ceremony for the downtown mall and a performance at the AF Academy. Attending for 326x3A F-111A Avionics course. Miss that Jody Juice :)

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  17. Some errors in the labeling of the pictures. I'm the commander in the picture with Tim Curran as Gomer and in the big group picture, I am the Gomer in red on the right side of the picture. Zac was the commander for that parade and can be seen with his back to the camera. The bottom picture is labeled correctly. I'm looking for more pictures and when I locate them I will send them to Tim. Memories are fading after 48 years.

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  18. My dad (Sgt. Ricardo Lucero)commanded the Jody drill team at Lowry in the 60's. I still remember the guys coming to the house for bbq's.

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  19. Yes, I remember Sgt. Lucero ... I was there in 1971. Thank you for confirming my memory of his name.

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  20. I am glad I found this blog, we are mentioning the jodies on air right now... a memory of one of the members that were there. please feel free to join our group and consider coming on our show each sunday.https://www.facebook.com/groups/112895309012

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  21. Jody team member '65 & '66 @ Hanscom Fld, Bedford, Ma. Bstewart4@verizon.net

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    1. I was on that one, too. Either summer of '66 or '67. The only red head on the team.

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    2. I was also on the Hanscom drill team in 68-69 Jerry DeMas. Dennis Lopez was our leader.

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  22. I was a proud member of the Jody Drill team back in 1967 at Lowry AFB.

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  23. Steve Sliasky, Jody, 1970 past commander and Gomer. PMEL 46 weeks plus at Lowery. Remember initiations in club and rooms. Met with Zac a while ago. Good Memories fading fast. Wish all the best and will see if I still have some old pics if requested. Sliasky not Salaskey, LOL

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  24. Steve Sliasky, Jody 1970 past commander and Gomer. PMEL 46 weeks. Initiations at club, field and barracks. PARADES. ⅚Good memories fading. Met with Zac a while ago. Sliasky not Salaskey, LOL

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  25. My name is Rock (for real last name). I was Gomer in early 1970. Had a blast. One of the guys on the team was also on the USAF chess team. He would set up 4 or 5 boards at a time and beat us all.

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  26. Harry J. Cating, July through September, 1971. Left as "461XX" and did a total of 7 years in the USAF. Now enjoying life with my wife of 52 years, our kiddos, grand kiddos and great-grand kiddos. Drill team was great but nothing beats this!
    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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  27. My time on the Jody Drill team was fall of ‘67. I was 461 munitions. Great time

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