Emotions of a Cadet

Christcorp

15-Year Member
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May 21, 2008
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I usually post this after recognition and usually after BCT. I get people asking for it. It also helps parents understand the process. It's somewhat funny; but somewhat ironically true. Take it for what it's worth. Mike.

1) Get accepted to the academy: EMOTION: HELL YEA!!!!!
2) I-Day: EMOTION: Why do I feel like I'm going to puke?
3) 1st half of BCT: EMOTION: Well, at least I'm not the only one who looks ********. Please look at someone else besides me. PLEASE!!!!
4) 2nd half of BCT (Jack's): EMOTION: This ain't so bad. This part is pretty fun. GOD, I'm so tired. What the hell did I get myself into???? Please let me sleep!!!!
5) Last week of BCT: EMOTION: I'm almost there. This is the hardest part. After this, the rest of the academy will be a breeze. (Delusional thoughts. Probably the lack of oxygen and sleep)
6. A-Day: EMOTION: YES! I'm really a cadet now. All the others will respect me now. (More lack of oxygen and definite lack of sleep)
7. Classes Start: EMOTION: What? Who? Where? When? ARGGGGG!!! MY HEAD HURTS.
8. Mid-term: EMOTION: Holy crap! What if I forget? What if I fail? What will my parents think? Can I get kicked out for this? ARGGGGG!!!! Head Still Hurts
9. Thanksgiving break: EMOTION: Yes!!! Out of this place! Do I really want to come back? State U looks really good right now. My friends at home seem pretty happy. What about me????
10. Back to school getting ready for finals: EMOTION: This sucks!!! I don't need this crap!!! I can transfer my credits and go to another school. God why am I doing this???
11. Finals Finished Christmas Break: EMOTION: PEACE and GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN!!!! Yea, it sucks there, but that's 1 semester down and 7 more to go. Put this place out of my mind.
12. Return to academy: EMOTION: Take a deep breath. New Room Mates; Cool. Different classes. Cool. Still cold and dark a lot. That sucks. Well, I guess I can give it one more semester. See what happens.
13. R-DAY: EMOTION: I really AM a Cadet now. They actually DO RESPECT me. "At least a little bit". OK; it could be worse.

REPEAT STEPS 7-12; seven more times. Throw in a spring break before the end of #2,4,6,and 8. Throw a Summer break prior to 3,5, and 7. Stamina grows stronger each semester. See the light at the end of the tunnel. Every couple of days remember how much this place sucks. Every OTHER couple of days remember that this place ain't so bad. Every once in a while realize that this place is pretty cool. ALWAYS REMEMBER WHY YOU WANTED TO COME HERE AND WHAT YOUR GOAL IS.


Good luck to all cadets and appointees. Congrats to the C4C who were just recognized. Mike....
 
I love it! If my son gets an appointment, I will definitely print this out to show him at the appropriate time. The emotions of the application process should be the next one you write out, CC! It could start with something like--Just submitted my application for Summer seminar. Emotion--Yahoo, AFA here I come! Somewhere in the middle could be " I just got a request for a remedial from DoDMERB! Emotion--this sucks!" And towards the end of the list could be "I just checked the mailbox AGAIN and still no BFE! Emotion--this waiting is KILLING ME!" Any one else feel the same way? :shake:
 
I do, USAFAHopefulMom! :) I am the same! Have not wanted to be a "helo" to DS (why start now...I have avoided it for 17 years!) so I joined this forum and have read everything I could possibly read on the process from A-Z. We are a non-mil family so had LOT to learn. Wish I had found this forum sooner! Still waiting on "E" BF hopefully or TW hopefully NOT! But one thing I know from having had the benefit of this forum is that DS has a good, solid plan to reapply if TWE arrives. I will not be NEARLY as devastated for DS if TWE arrives.....as I have learned on this forum that all will not be lost! Good luck to your DS, Hopeful!
 
I love it! If my son gets an appointment, I will definitely print this out to show him at the appropriate time. The emotions of the application process should be the next one you write out, CC! It could start with something like--Just submitted my application for Summer seminar. Emotion--Yahoo, AFA here I come! Somewhere in the middle could be " I just got a request for a remedial from DoDMERB! Emotion--this sucks!" And towards the end of the list could be "I just checked the mailbox AGAIN and still no BFE! Emotion--this waiting is KILLING ME!" Any one else feel the same way? :shake:

I'll make one :) Except it's gonna have to be for USMA/NA because I didn't apply for USAFA lol
 
emotions

so true. it's sort of funny to think back to all those times and to remember feeling those exact ways.
 
The general attitude toward USMA is as follows:

R-Day through Graduation minus one: F this place.

Graduation: Wow!

Graduation through death: Dang, I miss that place. And I loved it when I was there...
 
I just thought I would bump this with Recognition starting today and the mass appointments coming out here soon. It is scary how true this is. I guess my one piece of advice for all of those waiting for news and those with appointments, as I sit her getting more nervous by the minute for what is about to hit me and my classmates this afternoon, is never forget your reason for wanting to come here. It will get you through basic, and the training sessions, and those low times. It is when you lose sight of those reasons that you start to lose sight of the amazing things this place has to offer.
 
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