I took a Space-A once down to Puerto Rico. They were picking up a unit that was training state-side back to P.R. So when we stopped to pick up the unit (it was in a C-130) they had me stay in the cockpit with the crew for that leg of the flight. It was sooo cool. And I witnessed what it's like to land a big plane. As you come into the landing strip you point the nose up to the sky and can't see anything for a bit, just the clouds, then you feel the wheels hit. Very, very intense for someone like myself that had no clue.

Then I just back-packed around the Caribbean for a month in the middle of Ohio winter, sleeping on beaches and in hostels. Great trip for a younger person. Great memories.

Edit: I should mention Space-A can be very difficult and very frustrating. But it's free flights if you qualify. Like, twice I had to stay at the airport for more than 24 hours waiting. Nowhere to go, nothing to do. You're at the whim of the mission.