When I first joined the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at my new school, I had no idea what I getting myself into nor what my future would entail. One day, my close friend of mine suggested me to attend one their practices – so I did. Upon my entrance, my eyes were opened to a completely different environment, something that I had never experienced before. The moment I open the door, I saw both males and females screaming at the top of their lungs in their attempt to do as many pushups their body would allow whilst their partners were valiantly cheering them on. The noise accumulated from about a group 30 people and which reach to the equivalent sound of a homecoming football game. The expression of agony on their faces irked me. As me and the other new attendees watched in astonishment, practice then proceeded to “drilling,” a term that I did not comprehend at the time. As the males spun their rifles and made complex movements, the routine was in perfect sync and every movement was crisp and precise; it was obvious that they had done the same movement thousands of times. Despite the meticulousness of the guys, the entire team would be punished for the mistake of one single person.
I did not understand. The screaming, dedication, and sheer seriousness as a collective whole were utterly foreign to me. Thus, I thought to myself, why? Why were they hurting themselves in the attempt of performing something that was not even a life-or-death task? Why were they working themselves to the extent that they could drop dead any second? Why did they care so much? Little did I know, that my questions would be answered within the first year of being a cadet.
Fortunately, I continued to attend practice and before I knew it, I ...
... middle of paper ...
...ts to be successful. I subsequently took adjusting to the lifestyle of NJROTC as a personal challenge. I grasped the notion that when one is determined as bad as he or she wants to breathe and is willing to sacrifice their blood, sweat, tears, and even to the extent of sleep altogether, will one only be successful. After this realization, I was able to apply this essential rule to everyday life. Not only did I receive the award of the best first-year cadet in the program, but also I reached out and influenced my fellow teammates by leading by example. Subsequently, I made way onto the varsity team and the cadets from the junior varsity team to it as a personal challenge to follow in my footsteps. It is the relentless dedication to success that preserves George Bush’s long reign. As the Commanding Officer of NJROTC, it is now my duty to maintain this critical morale.
Drill sergeants must break them down twice, building them back up afterwards. The first three weeks is the first breakdown - the hardest part. “They tell us we're worthless, that mommy ain't here, and that we are no different than any other rotting piece of compost in army fatigues. They tell us we're not wanted, that our recruiters lied to us, and that we should just go home.” Although most people know that military drill sergeants are harsh, it's entirely different from realizing it’s something that is, well, real - and people have actually experienced
The NJROTC, or Naval Junior Recruit Officer Training Corpse, is built not only to teach high school students about the navy but also allows student to become our great leaders of the future. In NJROTC cadets are asked to live up to very high standards because those students in NJROTC are thought of as the best of the best and are at that school to represent the military way of life. In this program I have learned three traits that will help me better myself not only in the future but in the day I live today. These traits that I speak of are discipline, punctuality, and respect. If not for NJROTC I would have not been as great a person and would have little or no direction in my life.
The time spent at training camp prepared the boys for what was to come, by making them tough and brutal, while at the same time creating an army that does not stop to question its orders.
One of the hardest events that a soldier had to go through during the war was when one of their friends was killed. Despite their heartbreak they could not openly display their emotions. They could not cry because soldiers do not cry. Such an emotional display like crying would be sign of weakness and they didn’t want to be weak, so they created an outlet. “They were actors. When someone died, it wasn’t quite dying because in a curious way it seemed scripted”(19). Of course things were scripted especially when Ted Lavender died. It had happened unexpectedly and if they didn’t have something planned to do while they were coping they would all have broken down especially Lieutenant Cross. Cross...
All cadets can be found to be more responsible and dependable than most others. They have little area for horseplay and no room for negligence or error. Every “real world” op that Civil Air Patrol does can have a negative result if all parties are not giving it their full effort. Every operation that Civil Air Patrol does, whether it is training or not, has to be executed with discipline and ultimate control to receive the best outcome available.
In the summer of 2013 I experienced nine days of the pure Alaskan terrain alongside one-hundred or so fellow cadets, learning about teamwork and leadership that would aid me in my future endeavors; or so said the forms my parents all-too-willingly signed, and I reluctantly and with careful uncertainty did so as well. I was an excellent cadet—involved in all community service opportunities as possible, participating in all color guard presentations possible, and dedicating two extra hours in my mornings to drilling my feet sore for the sake of maintaining the Eagle River High School’s reputable drill team status. But my one deficiency that grayed my instructor’s heads and made me appear less accomplished with my missing ribbons that were on my peers’ uniforms was my avoidance of any and all wilderness activities. “Winter Survival Where You Get To Freeze All Night And Have To Walk A Mile To The Bathroom And Make Sure You Bring A Buddy And A Flashlight?” I think not. “Summer Leadership School With No Showers And Porta-Potties And Wild Bears Ransacking Your Personal Belongings?” I’ll enjoy the comforts of my home, thank you very much.
Thomas Ricks, author of “Making the Corps”, gives a description about the United States Marine Corps’ basic military training. The book’s main focal point is Platoon 3086 at Parris Island, S.C., in 1995. Their story is about their eleven weeks boot camp training to become a full-fledged marine. Mr. Ricks writes about what separates the marines from American society, he writes how the Marine Corps differ from other branches of the Unites States military, as well as life after boot camp.
Many soldiers can testify to the fact that it is not just training, situations, or regulations that sets us apart from the average person.
Ever since my first visit, I have researched the Academy Extensively, exploring what it takes to become a cadet. When first informed of the chance to attend the Summer Seminar, I was finally given the opportunity to experience cadet life first hand. To attend the Seminar, I would be given a glimpse of what to expect at military Service Academy. My Expectations of the Seminar are to be taught the basic of military customs and courtesies and apply these skills to leadership applications such as drill and ceremonies (e.g. marching a flight or passing a drill inspection). Physical training will be an integral part of the academy experience. So, participation in team sports and obstacle courses will test us physical and mentally pushing us to work together. Induvial fitness will be a priority because of the intense training of the Academy. Overall, I believe the Seminar to be a learning experience for many people seeking to become a cadet. The information being beneficial for those seeking to become a future Falcon at the
This book substantially explains the vigorous training platoon 3086 went through in order to earn the title of being a Marine.
...ught me how to make better decisions, both personally and in my professional life. Now that I am going back to Fort Benning upon completion of CGSC, leaving my family there was one of the best decisions of my life. It has taught me how to manage my time better; a skill that always needs to be refined. Most of all, it has taught me to deal with and not just overcome, but also learn from failure. As an organizational-level leader, sometimes I will have to make the unpopular decision for the staff, but that decision will always be for the good of them. It may also be a decision on how I am managing the staff’s time. Most of all, it will help me in teaching my subordinates how to deal with and learn from failure. Therefore, I feel the educational and life lessons I have learned during my CGSC experience has already and will continue to make me a better leader.
As our forefathers before us stated, ‘‘No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army (“The NCO Creed written by SFC Earle Brigham and Jimmie Jakes Sr”). These words to the Noncommissioned Officer should inspire us to the fullest with pride, honor, and integrity. The NCO creed should mean much more than just words whenever we attend an NCO’s school.
The most difficult barrier to conducting initial individual training is the varying backgrounds of all of the soldiers. In ...
During morning PT on Ft. Campbell, CSM Hambrick was a regular fixture along the run route and throughout the Brigade’s footprint. He always encouraged leaders to participate in daily PT with their subordinates and regularly joined them as well. CSM Hambrick showed up during an APFT and asked me what my best run time was. After receiving my answer, he told me that he believed I could do better and he would run with me to prove it. I took an entire minute off of my run during that APFT. After the APFT he gathered the present NCOs and explained the importance of breathing excellence into your subordinates. He always stressed that it was important for Soldiers to know that their leader supported them and expected greatness. In reflection, I realize that he was also demonstrating that an effective leader leverages every available opportunity as a teaching
The following year the next drill team leader was to be picked. I knew I was ready for it. The Senior Army Instructor, Colonel Tommy Palmertree, held an awards ceremony. He kept the team leader as a surprise until the end. Of course, this kept me on the edge of my seat biting my nails in anticipation. Finally, Colonel Palmertree announced me as the following year's leader. He said I would hold the position as Cadet First Lieutenant. I knew that I had finally achieved my goal. I had become a great leader like Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Armington and Cadet First Lieutentant Dwight Lewis. I would lead others and influence them in the same way as they influenced me.