I interacted with several candidates a year or two ago, right before I became a Beast squad leader. Now, as a Firstie, I can't believe how far my classmates and I have come. I distinctly remember my Dad and I spending hours on this forum as I anxiously applied to the Academy. I, by no means, am done with this journey - but I would like to give a little back. If you have any questions about the Academy, Beast, the CFA, applications - anything at all - please feel free to ask. Good luck to all you future cadets. The road ahead is hard, but it is definitely worth it.
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My, How the Years Have Gone...
- Thread starter Nick K
- Start date
How badly did you struggle the first year? Did you doubt your commitment to USMA? What made you stay?
Thank you for giving back....
I hated it here plebe year, and I absolutely doubted my commitment. By the end of Beast, I had already resigned myself to leaving after my first semester. I was sucking at Chemistry and, after my instructor told me that she would recommend me for separation from the Academy, figured I simply was not cut out for this walk of life. That feeling, coupled with the homesickness and the eventual ACL tear that I sustained only exasperated my hopeless state. I went home that Christmas with the intent of not returning.
But after a few weeks home, I was re-energized. I resolved that if I was going to leave the Academy, I wasn't going to let it chase me away— I was going to leave on my terms. As time passed, I became progressively more comfortable. More time passed and things became easier. I no longer was incessantly homesick. I enjoyed the independence that the Academy gave me. Most of all, I dug my way out of the academic hole that I found myself in. Ultimately, I began to enjoy life here. I still do, despite a lot of the hardships that come our way.
To answer the question of why I stayed here, there are three quotes that come to mind.
1) "Fake it, 'til you become it." A derivation of "fake it, 'til you make it," I began to work on self improvement. Even if I wasn't the smartest, I wasn't going to let that be the end for me. Eventually, I believed I could do anything. I still do.
2) "You gain self esteem by doing 'esteem-able' acts." My confidence grew the more time I spent here. This quote really drove me to do my absolute best, even if I hated what I was doing.
3) "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable." This one is mine. I've told my subordinates this each year since I was given the privilege of being a team leader, squad leader and hopefully platoon leader this coming semester. Put simply, you got to learn to love the grind. Even when you're sucking, smile. It's all you can do.
Best of luck!
Awesome post!! I have chills!! Best of luck to you!!!I hated it here plebe year, and I absolutely doubted my commitment. By the end of Beast, I had already resigned myself to leaving after my first semester. I was sucking at Chemistry and, after my instructor told me that she would recommend me for separation from the Academy, figured I simply was not cut out for this walk of life. That feeling, coupled with the homesickness and the eventual ACL tear that I sustained only exasperated my hopeless state. I went home that Christmas with the intent of not returning.
But after a few weeks home, I was re-energized. I resolved that if I was going to leave the Academy, I wasn't going to let it chase me away— I was going to leave on my terms. As time passed, I became progressively more comfortable. More time passed and things became easier. I no longer was incessantly homesick. I enjoyed the independence that the Academy gave me. Most of all, I dug my way out of the academic hole that I found myself in. Ultimately, I began to enjoy life here. I still do, despite a lot of the hardships that come our way.
To answer the question of why I stayed here, there are three quotes that come to mind.
1) "Fake it, 'til you become it." A derivation of "fake it, 'til you make it," I began to work on self improvement. Even if I wasn't the smartest, I wasn't going to let that be the end for me. Eventually, I believed I could do anything. I still do.
2) "You gain self esteem by doing 'esteem-able' acts." My confidence grew the more time I spent here. This quote really drove me to do my absolute best, even if I hated what I was doing.
3) "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable." This one is mine. I've told my subordinates this each year since I was given the privilege of being a team leader, squad leader and hopefully platoon leader this coming semester. Put simply, you got to learn to love the grind. Even when you're sucking, smile. It's all you can do.
Best of luck!
1) "Fake it, 'til you become it." A derivation of "fake it, 'til you make it," I began to work on self improvement. Even if I wasn't the smartest, I wasn't going to let that be the end for me. Eventually, I believed I could do anything. I still do.
2) "You gain self esteem by doing 'esteem-able' acts." My confidence grew the more time I spent here. This quote really drove me to do my absolute best, even if I hated what I was doing.
3) "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable." This one is mine. I've told my subordinates this each year since I was given the privilege of being a team leader, squad leader and hopefully platoon leader this coming semester. Put simply, you got to learn to love the grind. Even when you're sucking, smile. It's all you can do.
Applicable to almost any chosen pursuit worth pursuing.
Thanks and best of luck!
With Branch night coming up on the 17th of next month, where do you see you career going?
Push Hard, Press Forward
It's hard to say, but honestly, I'm just happy I'll get the opportunity to serve in the same Army that my Dad did.
However, I did BRADSO for my top branch choice so, given the career track of most officers, I want to hit company command at a minimum. More so, I would love to go into a functional area of some sort. By the way, I love your name. COL (Ret.) Merkel forever!
Wow! I can't tell you how good it is to read this. You should be very proud of yourself, you are clearly made of the right stuff!
Anytime! If you have any other questions, don't hesitate.
BRADSO huh, what school do you want to attend for your graduate work?
Push Hard, Press Forward
BRADSO stands for Branch Additional Service Obligation, different than GRADSO which I believe you are referring to.