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- Sep 27, 2008
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MombaBomba mentioned being an introvert. Of all the lifestyle requirements of an SA, this is the area that concerns me for DS. He is a true introvert which was described to me once as drawing energy from inside yourself; other DS is an extrovert that gets his energy from interactions with others. My introverted DS needs his time alone to recharge. He is good with doing homework in that time, or reading the news, or whatever, but at least so far in life he has needed some quiet time without other people to recharge the batteries. Is that even possible at an SA? Would anyone care to comment on life as an introvert at an SA?
If DS can get himself through the summer training, and the nonstop be-with-people every second, he will be fine. The academic year affords opportunities for solo workouts, quiet time with the books and laptop in study spots, etc. Introverts can find their recharge time. Sundays during the summer training usually offer an opportunity to stand down a bit. Go to Sunday service! A blessed hour to worship or be left alone with your thoughts.
When I was on USNA staff, we knew the introverts struggled the most with Plebe Summer, while the extroverts dived happily (relatively) into the pressure cooker. It wasn't the physical or mental demands they struggled with, just the cataclysmic shock to the way they processed daily life. There is awareness of that. I would say this is true regardless of SA, though my experience was USNA. Very importantly, as I think any SA grad would attest, the summer training is not what the rest of plebe/doolie/swab year and the other 3 years are like. Those summer months of hell are designed to sweat a disparate group of high achievers into a cohesive group bonded in shared experience.
Learning some meditative techniques might help. I am not talking saying "om," but having some tools he can fall back on when he has 10 minutes to himself to breathe deep, empty his mind and just take a moment. Being mindful of those opportunities, when he is feeling like he needs to get out of there, and being self-aware in managing his stress, will be key.
I test as an introvert, but the Navy taught me how to adapt and operate as I needed to as a leader and teammate. I had all kinds of ways to find my alone time. Many, many successful senior leaders are introverts by nature. It takes all types to make up a well-rounded officer corps.
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