- Joined
- Nov 25, 2017
- Messages
- 782
I recall scouring these forums as a cadet candidate looking for pieces of advice to cling to as I frantically counted down the days until R-Day. I've had a good amount of time to do some reflection between term end exams, graduation rehearsals, etc and wanted to take a moment to write some unsolicited advice that I give when talking to incoming cadets or have been given myself and found true. I'm happy to answer any questions when I get a free minute.
1. Take and make every opportunity for yourself to learn and develop. I got to do some really really cool things while at West Point, experiences that you cannot get anywhere else. While you're a cadet, everyone will make time for you, simply because of your affiliation with the Academy. Once you graduate, you are just another Lieutenant. Every amazing experience that I had happened outside of the scope of my mandatory training, graduation requirements, or class--seek out "cool stuff;" ask and you shall receive. Do not sit in your room doing nothing. Join a club or a team. Take some extra classes you're interested in. Network. It's all so worth it.
2. Attitude is everything. A lot of cadets are frequently bitter about the Academy, wallow in self-pity of the everyday grind, and spew negativity at every opportunity. You will learn in PL300 that appreciation of beauty and consequently gratitude is the least valued leadership quality in the eyes of cadets. Check yourself frequently: is what you are saying adding positivity to the team, or is your messaging doing nothing but adding unnecessary inertia to an already poor situation? Once you find yourself in leadership roles in the Corps, you will understand the importance of a positive attitude in how it impacts your subordinates. No commander's intent given? Make your own intent. Try to choose happiness and optimism, no matter how hard things get.
3. Seek officer mentorship. My mentors have made me who I am. You are here to learn about the Army: while your training is effective, it is not the "real Army," aside from CTLT where you shadow a platoon leader in an active unit. Unless you are prior service, your concept of what the "real Army" is comes from what you hear from your instructors and TACs. Find an officer in the branch you're interested in, who shares an interest in hobby with you, who shares your faith or values, demographic, whatever--and learn from them. Be a sponge. I feel comfortable and confident going into my next stages of career because I have had extensive conversations with officers who have gone before me. You never know: you may serve with them again in the future.
4. Diversify your learning. The best academic decision I made here was to add a minor in a topic completely unrelated to my major. I am able to have a cross-disciplinary understanding far more than most other cadets in my major. It was hard to add a lot of classes to a full course-load, but many of those aforementioned opportunities I had came from this decision. I was told "if you're smart enough to do STEM, you're stupid to not"--it's a lot easier to go from STEM to non-STEM than the other way around. Do what you're passionate about, but also consider the value of your education. Not all degrees are equal, no matter what you may hear. Do hard things. You'll be happy you did.
5. Never sacrifice experiences for a few points on an assignment. Unless you are going to fail your class, do not pass up a chance to have a unique experience for the sake of a letter grade on an assignment. Go to that cool brief during Comm's hour from the WW2 82nd Airborne veteran. Close your laptop and be there to support your teammates when they have a bad day. Go to the Firstie Club second semester Firstie year instead of studying for whatever test. Make connections and memories. One of my close friends in the Class of 2020 was #3 in his class: on the night before graduation, he told me he regretted all those times he stayed in. Make your risks calculated--but take them. Many of my best memories came from spontaneous planning; many of my best friends were made in those memories.
6. It's all worth it. It sucks sometimes, but I truly have loved West Point and what it has given me. I am going into my dream job, have made friends closer than I could've imagined, met my future spouse, and learned more about the world and myself than I could've imagined. The system can be frustrating, but the system works. Unless you feel it is truly not a fit for you and your future, don't quit. It can feel like a lot when you realize you have 1,420 days until you graduate... but now that I'm at four, it is far clearer that it was well worth every day.
1. Take and make every opportunity for yourself to learn and develop. I got to do some really really cool things while at West Point, experiences that you cannot get anywhere else. While you're a cadet, everyone will make time for you, simply because of your affiliation with the Academy. Once you graduate, you are just another Lieutenant. Every amazing experience that I had happened outside of the scope of my mandatory training, graduation requirements, or class--seek out "cool stuff;" ask and you shall receive. Do not sit in your room doing nothing. Join a club or a team. Take some extra classes you're interested in. Network. It's all so worth it.
2. Attitude is everything. A lot of cadets are frequently bitter about the Academy, wallow in self-pity of the everyday grind, and spew negativity at every opportunity. You will learn in PL300 that appreciation of beauty and consequently gratitude is the least valued leadership quality in the eyes of cadets. Check yourself frequently: is what you are saying adding positivity to the team, or is your messaging doing nothing but adding unnecessary inertia to an already poor situation? Once you find yourself in leadership roles in the Corps, you will understand the importance of a positive attitude in how it impacts your subordinates. No commander's intent given? Make your own intent. Try to choose happiness and optimism, no matter how hard things get.
3. Seek officer mentorship. My mentors have made me who I am. You are here to learn about the Army: while your training is effective, it is not the "real Army," aside from CTLT where you shadow a platoon leader in an active unit. Unless you are prior service, your concept of what the "real Army" is comes from what you hear from your instructors and TACs. Find an officer in the branch you're interested in, who shares an interest in hobby with you, who shares your faith or values, demographic, whatever--and learn from them. Be a sponge. I feel comfortable and confident going into my next stages of career because I have had extensive conversations with officers who have gone before me. You never know: you may serve with them again in the future.
4. Diversify your learning. The best academic decision I made here was to add a minor in a topic completely unrelated to my major. I am able to have a cross-disciplinary understanding far more than most other cadets in my major. It was hard to add a lot of classes to a full course-load, but many of those aforementioned opportunities I had came from this decision. I was told "if you're smart enough to do STEM, you're stupid to not"--it's a lot easier to go from STEM to non-STEM than the other way around. Do what you're passionate about, but also consider the value of your education. Not all degrees are equal, no matter what you may hear. Do hard things. You'll be happy you did.
5. Never sacrifice experiences for a few points on an assignment. Unless you are going to fail your class, do not pass up a chance to have a unique experience for the sake of a letter grade on an assignment. Go to that cool brief during Comm's hour from the WW2 82nd Airborne veteran. Close your laptop and be there to support your teammates when they have a bad day. Go to the Firstie Club second semester Firstie year instead of studying for whatever test. Make connections and memories. One of my close friends in the Class of 2020 was #3 in his class: on the night before graduation, he told me he regretted all those times he stayed in. Make your risks calculated--but take them. Many of my best memories came from spontaneous planning; many of my best friends were made in those memories.
6. It's all worth it. It sucks sometimes, but I truly have loved West Point and what it has given me. I am going into my dream job, have made friends closer than I could've imagined, met my future spouse, and learned more about the world and myself than I could've imagined. The system can be frustrating, but the system works. Unless you feel it is truly not a fit for you and your future, don't quit. It can feel like a lot when you realize you have 1,420 days until you graduate... but now that I'm at four, it is far clearer that it was well worth every day.
