Hey zach,
I have a question...okay so maybe a few questions haha What was R-day like? What were you feeling? What was swab summer like? Do you regret accepting your appointment? (Btw, I am not trying to be nosy, I would just like a honest answer with some emotion other then what the CGA website says
)
R-day is interesting to explain. I remember somewhat only as a blur, along with the rest of swab summer, but here I go. So I come from the hotel, not too good night of sleep mainly because I was a bit worried/anxious, but also because my dad snores.... really really loud...
so we get there, and we all line up in leamy, and they call us by companies (don't be late whatever you do)
and once they check you in, they have you all line up and be quiet out on the balcony of leamy. Once your company all arrives, they run you down a back set of stairs, onto a bus, up library hill, and to the arches (now you may feel afraid). You are sitting on the bus all stiff and backs strait, The second class on the bus was a small female, so none of us were too worried, untill she steps off the bus, and salutes/passes on to the other cadre us. The other three cadre... one who was a good 6' 9'', 250 lbs, and who (later we find out) was just lifting weights so he was really swollen, steps on the bus and Yells "YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS TO GET OFF MY BUS! AND YOU ALREADY WAITED 5!"
so we are all running now off the bus, carrying our giant bags with stuff, into the quad. They line us up in order and give us the usual summer talk (i can repeat it by heart i heard it so many times the AIM kids came around) "words like yeah, uh-hu, okay, and sure are no longer part of your vocabulary...."
then they did something... I really can't remember...
its all a bit of a blur
but during that time, we showered perhaps 3 times, got haircuts, got ITed about 4 times, drank a good 2 liters of water at once, got our uniforms all issued ((note: when you first get to your room and they tell you to change, check the name on your shirt to make sure that it is yours and not your roomates
)
by the end of the day, we had our picture taken (non of us look happy) and we get to see our parents for about 5 minutes or so
thats R-day
when you begin, you really don't feel anything emotionally, but just stressed (for me at least)
I really didn't care emotionally wise, itwas all just expected for me and I knew/told myself everyday that they don't do this because they want to, but because they have to . to train you etc
they don't enjoy (they really don't ) it
I learned that when one of the cadre was IT ing me and he did them along with me, and I could tell it was rather hard for him as well ((really got my respect for him))
The stress causes issues, some people go sleepwalking (automatic drop) and others have bowel issues, not eating, not sleeping, dehydration problems etc, but once anything happens that jeopardizes your health, they stop and get you medical help and all. So don't worry, nothing they do can really kill you, and if you past the limit you'll be fine, they will help you
so don't be afraid to push the envelope and go beyond what you are physically capable off
Do I regret it, absolutely not
I learned more during swab summer than anywhere else, and it has helped me in so many ways
along with that, it really only gets better past swab summer, and the academy is nothing like swab summer
its an artificial environment that you get past
once swab summer ends, the first month or so is still a bit strict and all, but you'll get use to it
what I find really helped was to give a good first impression on your new company.
Clean your room really well and keep it that way, keep storage good
keep your uniform good
Know your meals and indoc and you'll be good
My guidon (the 2/c in charge of the 4/c) is really good
basically, he knows that I keep the standards high for myself, so he doesn't have to check on me nonstop etc like some other people
which lets me focus on my grades more...
Our company is probably one of the best, its rather chill, but still good, because we don't have anyone going off and doing stupid things or getting honor offenses
I think the 4/c this year overall are doing a good job, the RC just sent an email saying that we were doing so and improved a lot
bravo zulu
once x-mas time comes around, you basically have so much more free time (pending) and everyone really stops caring about the 4/c because they are looking to going home.
Now, I have to go do about 4 projects, 2 labs, a 10 page paper, and about 4 hours of other hw stuff....
but once I get done this weekend I'm basically done everything
and I'll be doing finals, and then going home
so if you get through swab summer, keep your head down, keep it up with your grades, and do what you are asked, being a 4/c isn't too bad
so look forward to the experience, you'll never have another one like it!