BridgeOverBach
Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2020
- Messages
- 21
Hey Y'all, I would first like to say thank you all for the advice and mentorship throughout my years on this forum. Maybe you all can oblige me one more time before I throw my Cover in... 232 days, 7 hours, 10 minutes and 30 seconds (Give or take a few, put who's counting?)
BLUF: I am struggling to see stay motivated and to pass motivation on to those around me. The Academy has changed so much and I feel like an odd head after 3 years...
When I came into the Academy proper as aDoolie Freshman, I was bright-eyed and ready to tackle this place. And for the most part I feel that I've tackled it. I earned my Pilot Slot, Got accepted into a Graduate Studies Program and have achieved many of my personal and professional goals. But this last year has really been a kick in the head.
During the training of freshman year I was told that it was making me a better officer, resilient to stress and pressure, and building the intangible and so elusive grit. Now, all those same practices that they told me made me a better officer are banned and considered harmful to those who administer and participate in them (charge runs, race tracks, minutes, training sessions, recognition). This training has been replaced with briefs about resiliency and conversational study sessions. It's not that I think these new trainings are harmful but that they are so different and quite frankly it seems the heart and esprit de corps of the Academy are dead. It seems cadets are now seeking to survive rather than thrive/lead.
I try to be an inspiring Firstie but it's difficult to inspire when I find myself uncertain about my new position in this new Academy system. The status quo was changed, such things should be expected in the military, but this year feels like a different Academy. Me and my buds message each other about missing the "old Academy" where puggle stick fights and Push-up competitions marked the end of events. When asked about myDoolie year, I find myself muttering "back when it was hard..." and somehow it feels less sarcastic every time...
Anyways, any advice, interesting anecdotes, or reality checks appreciated. Thanks again to everyone who's advised me up until this point!
BLUF: I am struggling to see stay motivated and to pass motivation on to those around me. The Academy has changed so much and I feel like an odd head after 3 years...
When I came into the Academy proper as a
During the training of freshman year I was told that it was making me a better officer, resilient to stress and pressure, and building the intangible and so elusive grit. Now, all those same practices that they told me made me a better officer are banned and considered harmful to those who administer and participate in them (charge runs, race tracks, minutes, training sessions, recognition). This training has been replaced with briefs about resiliency and conversational study sessions. It's not that I think these new trainings are harmful but that they are so different and quite frankly it seems the heart and esprit de corps of the Academy are dead. It seems cadets are now seeking to survive rather than thrive/lead.
I try to be an inspiring Firstie but it's difficult to inspire when I find myself uncertain about my new position in this new Academy system. The status quo was changed, such things should be expected in the military, but this year feels like a different Academy. Me and my buds message each other about missing the "old Academy" where puggle stick fights and Push-up competitions marked the end of events. When asked about my
Anyways, any advice, interesting anecdotes, or reality checks appreciated. Thanks again to everyone who's advised me up until this point!