Recap: Duggars Take Flight

On tonight's new episode of 19 Kids and Counting...

• Joseph is heading to ALERT (Air Land Emergency Resource Team) Academy in Big Sandy, Texas, where he will do basic training in search and rescue, survival skills, and disaster relief for nine weeks.
• Jim Bob and Michelle throw their third oldest son an 18th birthday/going-away party. This is the first time the Duggars, who usually send their kids out in pairs, have sent one of their children away for this long. "We are so grateful for Joseph's maturity," says Jim Bob.
• Before Joseph leaves for boot camp, Michelle gives him a buzz cut. "Joseph with a buzz cut is still just as handsome," says Jill.
• Jim Bob and Josh's trainer, former NFL Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Steve Conley, drops by the house for a surprise pantry check. Aside from a box of fat-free popcorn and some caramel coffee mix, Jim Bob appears to be doing well. "I think I ate all the evidence," he jokes.
• But when the Duggar dad steps on the scale, Steve is no longer smiling. Jim Bob has jumped from 203 to 207. Josh, on the other hand, has lost one pound and now weighs in at 209. It's time for intense fat burning.
• "I think Steve is punishing me during this workout because I put on some weight," says Jim Bob.
• "I'm happy about the weight-loss challenge," says Michelle. "I think this is an encouragement to be healthier."
• "Josh has been doing pretty good on his diet and exercise," says Anna. "He's really motivated."
• When it is time for Joseph to leave for ALERT, the whole family comes out to the runway to send him off. The 18-year-old is traveling in style: John-David, who has his student's pilot license, is flying his younger brother to Texas, accompanied by his instructor and Jim Bob.
• "I have been wanting to get my pilot's license for as long as I can remember," says John-David.
• "I really believe that this nine weeks is going to take Joseph from being a little boy to being a man," says Jim Bob. When they land in Texas, he gives Joseph a firm handshake, tells his son he loves him, and says goodbye.

Recap: Duggars Take FlightRecap: Duggars Take Flight