almondqqq
2026 Army ROTC
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2021
- Messages
- 389
I didn't know where to speak my mind about AIM, so I thought this was the best place. Hopefully, this can give some advice for some younger students on if to attend AIM or not.
So I was accepted into the AIM program for the 2nd In-person session. At this time I was thinking of the United States Coast Guard in the back of my mind where it was somewhere I was going to apply to, but not a big concern if I get into the school or not. For the AIM, I knew it was going to be hard from all the previous posts all about it. Things about yelling, screaming, trashing the bunks, etc, etc. However, when I first arrived at the campus, they were very good at hiding it since there were many warm welcomes and they even had snacks and a movie. I thought, "Hey maybe it wasn't actually that bad." However, when everyone was in Dimick and the staff were introduced, the "switch" was turned on. For the next 7-8 hours, it was pure chaos of yelling, marching, greeting, hydrating, and even more. When I finally went to sleep, I thought to myself "what the heck did I get myself into," and "What did I even do for the last 7 hours I forgot everything." I didn't sleep for the next 3 hours thinking about the life choices I made. My bunkmates were sleep-talking the greetings and commands. When I had the rude awaking of the cadres screaming outside, It was day two of something of the same I thought. It was much less of the same things, except now we had classes/trainings about many things such as engineering, athletics, etc. Day one was a shock of the experiences of being yelled at since you hear about it but it's very different to actually experience it. Day Two was much better since now I know how to do things and didn't mess up as much. However, Day Two had a challenge of the PFE. I have never done the entire PFE before so I was nervous, but I managed to do not as bad as I thought, scoring a 225, which I am very happy with. After that, days 3-4 were not only a blur of yelling, screaming, and so much running everywhere, but also times of fun with the fellow Aimsters with jokes, activities, and getting to see the best of the best of the Coast Guard talking to us about their field of study. On Day Five, I went to Vespers, and right after the Aimsters could talk to the swabs who were there as well. I thought they were these stone-faced people who wouldn't even smile, but I was wrong. They were like us, but older. They gave us good advice about AIM and Swab Summer if we do ever go. It was a nice experience. It was also time to talk to the cadres without having their "switch" on. They were actually very cool and funny people once you get to know them. However, if you don't switch it back on within the training environment, you will pay dearly as my platoon did. On the last day, it was the most fun. We did, many competitions, and after it was cleaning, and just socializing. You learn that you know so much more about your fellow platoon members than you ever realized. Last was the graduation. It was such as good feeling to see your parents again as well. Seeing the superintendent speak was such a nice feeling, and winning honor platoon ( Alfa is the best Platoon!) was the best feeling ever. After, going to pick up all your stuff, thinking of all the memories you made makes you feel a certain way.
Overall, I have zero regrets about this program at all. Even though it was one of the most difficult challenges I faced, the people and friends I met along the way was so worth it. It also changed the way I feel the United States Coast Guard a=Academy. Now I am eager to go back, not as an Aimster, but as a swab. I have so much more profound appreciation of the coast guard and the people in it. Again, this was me giving my food for thought. Hopefully, this can help someone if they are unsure if they can do it. If I could do it, anyone can do it.
So I was accepted into the AIM program for the 2nd In-person session. At this time I was thinking of the United States Coast Guard in the back of my mind where it was somewhere I was going to apply to, but not a big concern if I get into the school or not. For the AIM, I knew it was going to be hard from all the previous posts all about it. Things about yelling, screaming, trashing the bunks, etc, etc. However, when I first arrived at the campus, they were very good at hiding it since there were many warm welcomes and they even had snacks and a movie. I thought, "Hey maybe it wasn't actually that bad." However, when everyone was in Dimick and the staff were introduced, the "switch" was turned on. For the next 7-8 hours, it was pure chaos of yelling, marching, greeting, hydrating, and even more. When I finally went to sleep, I thought to myself "what the heck did I get myself into," and "What did I even do for the last 7 hours I forgot everything." I didn't sleep for the next 3 hours thinking about the life choices I made. My bunkmates were sleep-talking the greetings and commands. When I had the rude awaking of the cadres screaming outside, It was day two of something of the same I thought. It was much less of the same things, except now we had classes/trainings about many things such as engineering, athletics, etc. Day one was a shock of the experiences of being yelled at since you hear about it but it's very different to actually experience it. Day Two was much better since now I know how to do things and didn't mess up as much. However, Day Two had a challenge of the PFE. I have never done the entire PFE before so I was nervous, but I managed to do not as bad as I thought, scoring a 225, which I am very happy with. After that, days 3-4 were not only a blur of yelling, screaming, and so much running everywhere, but also times of fun with the fellow Aimsters with jokes, activities, and getting to see the best of the best of the Coast Guard talking to us about their field of study. On Day Five, I went to Vespers, and right after the Aimsters could talk to the swabs who were there as well. I thought they were these stone-faced people who wouldn't even smile, but I was wrong. They were like us, but older. They gave us good advice about AIM and Swab Summer if we do ever go. It was a nice experience. It was also time to talk to the cadres without having their "switch" on. They were actually very cool and funny people once you get to know them. However, if you don't switch it back on within the training environment, you will pay dearly as my platoon did. On the last day, it was the most fun. We did, many competitions, and after it was cleaning, and just socializing. You learn that you know so much more about your fellow platoon members than you ever realized. Last was the graduation. It was such as good feeling to see your parents again as well. Seeing the superintendent speak was such a nice feeling, and winning honor platoon ( Alfa is the best Platoon!) was the best feeling ever. After, going to pick up all your stuff, thinking of all the memories you made makes you feel a certain way.
Overall, I have zero regrets about this program at all. Even though it was one of the most difficult challenges I faced, the people and friends I met along the way was so worth it. It also changed the way I feel the United States Coast Guard a=Academy. Now I am eager to go back, not as an Aimster, but as a swab. I have so much more profound appreciation of the coast guard and the people in it. Again, this was me giving my food for thought. Hopefully, this can help someone if they are unsure if they can do it. If I could do it, anyone can do it.