As a studying
mechanical engineer, I never thought my undergrad would include an opportunity
to chase tornadoes across the Midwest through the Oceanography Department. The
two subjects have little in common and aren’t particularly applicable to each
other. SWIFT however allowed me to experience a natural phenomenon and a few
weeks of training that I’m sure I will never forget.
I think one of the
experiences I will remember most is the moment the goal was achieved the first
time and we saw the first bunch of tornadoes. I will never be able to see a
tornado for the first time again.
The other moment I
will remember is the moment that I realized the one of the tornadoes we had been
watching had hit a small town called Jay, Oklahoma. Initial reports indicate
that while there were no injuries, a few houses were destroyed and the town was
left without power. While I’m thankful no one was hurt, I didn’t know that at
first. The moment I realized the tornado we had been watching had gone right
through a town, and there were indications of damage, my stomach sank. I’m sure
I will remember that moment not because it is particularly interesting or
uncommon in storm chasing, but because of the reminder that something we view as positive can be
viewed drastically different by someone else.
I’d like to thank
the USNA STEM program, the Oceanography Department, LCDR Burich, Prof Barrett, and
the other SWIFTers for the opportunity to participate in and have fun on this
educational training. Overall, I enjoyed everything from watching Game of
Thrones for the first time to nearly dying by dumb drivers. It wasn’t the
tornadoes that made the training fun. It was the people.
Till next time, I bid you farewell with an old Irish blessing I learned
in high school choir:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
-Jeremy
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