<p>Congratulations and best wishes to each and every one of you!</p>
<p>MOT... any comments from your D year at WP and comparision to other twin at UI ...if i recall correctly</p>
<p>rty,</p>
<p>There is so much to tell. I can say I'm so happy that both of my daughters found the right place and programs for themselves. I'll speak to the WP experience though for the obvious reason.</p>
<p>My rising yearling has known since Day 1 that she is at the right school. She truly understands that R-Day and Beast are more valuable to the cadre who are obtaining leadership experience than to the new cadets. So whenever it got tough, she knew it was temporary and not at all personal. She also was able to observe different leadership styles and make sure she will model her leadership behaviors after those who truly inspired her. And she certainly found outstanding role models among the cadre. And, yes, there were a few who were not exactly outstanding.</p>
<p>She made great friends during Beast. Some may remember that she suffered from very severe shin splints and couldn't run after about 3 weeks. Other cadets helped her - especially prior service soldiers in her company. And she was able to help a lot of them especially when the academic year began. Her grades were very good, but she has said that she won't kill herself to get all A's and miss out on some other experiences (I think she meant sleep). She has received recognition for volunteering to help others with duties. She has also been recognized for having an extremely optimistic attitude. She was invited to the White House where she sang for the President and guests. She has been to various Army posts and to Walter Reed.</p>
<p>Part of the Beast challenge is the shock of Army life, but also being removed from your support system of friends and family. New cadets won't get much time to write, but should make sure that you tell everyone to write you. That contact with the world of only a few days/weeks ago is critical. Also, when you're really lonely or homesick, just remember that it really is only 6 weeks. Right after marchback you'll have a landline phone in your room and you'll have e-mail as soon as the laptop is issued. Since Reorgy Week, we have talked or e-mailed just about every day (and sometimes much more than that).</p>
<p>During one of our 10 minute phone discussions last summer, I mentioned to her that I kept hearing and reading that the cadets change so much during Beast. I asked her if she thought she had changed in any way. Her answer was "The only way I can get through this is to be true to me. I'm learning a lot, but I refuse to change." So, I think that was the big change. I heard a mature, analytical and introspective young lady speaking to me. I knew Beast was tough, but I also knew that she was handling it the best possible way for her.</p>
<p>She has had disappointments. The shin splint problem recurs from time to time. She wasn't able to play the sport in which she had experience, so did intramurals in new sports. And had fun. Friends left after Beast, during and after first semester, and then again there are a few who will not be at Buckner next week. The 2 clubs that she really wanted to join meet at exactly the same time, so she had to choose. And gave up an activity she has loved and in which she has excelled since she was in 2nd grade. No whining though. She accepted the realities and made her choices.</p>
<p>Thank goodness she hasn't moved on from her high school friends. And I don't think she will. They are just as tight now as they were during high school. And some of her friends are quite happy to meet her new WP friends. They are beginning to appreciate how great those guys in uniform look.</p>
<p>You will hear that cadets gripe about West Point an awful lot. I'm here to tell you that it's true. I think the plebes were fed up with being plebes several (or more) months ago. Enough was enough! But they are still there. Why? I think it's because the cadets made this choice knowing it would be tough, but there was a higher "calling" that led them up this path. </p>
<p>There is so much more, but I'm starting to get a bit weepy at work right now (not at all cool - especially because I started a new job a few weeks ago). If I have some advice that she would want me to pass on to all of the cadet candidates it would include:</p>
<p>*Don't play games to get out of duties. You may hate doing them, but it's much worse if your classmates and the upperclassmen are upset with you for not participating.
*Know that there will be something that will be really hard for you. Don't be afraid to get help.
*Nobody wants you to fail. Nobody wants to kick you out. The entire infrastructure is designed to help you succeed - even though sometimes it doesn't seem like it.
*Try to laugh but keep the laughs inside.<br>
*Love your sponsor family.</p>
<p>And the only words of wisdom I have are not even new. Remember that tens of thousands before you have gone through the exact same experiences you will encounter. They had bad days/weeks, too. </p>
<p>Go Army!
Go Illini! (got it in just for my daughter and for taffy!)</p>
<p>Here's some GREAT advice:</p>
<p>BE THE FIRST ONE OUT THE DOOR DURING DUTIES. It shows the upperclass that you're not afraid to take the hit, and oftentimes after a day or two of intense hazing they'll leave you alone. Don't be that guy who hides in the closet. </p>
<p>I also agree with momoftwins daughter--I didn't kill myself to get all As, and I'm really glad I didn't. I had a mixture of Bs and As, and didn't study hardly at all (except for the night before). That way, I was able to sleep (I actually went to bed at 10 every night), and I was actually able to have a social life. There are the few geniuses that can not bust their butt to get all As and still do all of the above, but those are few and far between. I'm quite happy with keeping As and Bs and not working too hard academically--I'd rather focus my time on the military aspect of my education. Any of you guys get me as a team leader, and we'll be working with a LOOOOOOT of weapons! :)</p>
<p>hey marines4me, I remember a long while back you posting about cav and scout club.</p>
<p>After reading your posts about it I realized that I would probably love it. Could you give me and any other interested candidates any information on how we can prepare for this club and make sure we get selected / make the cut.</p>
<p>Could you also tell us what the selection / joining process is like?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Sure thing! The great thing about the Cav Scout Club is that there's not so much a selection process as a question of how dedicated you're willing to be. The goal of the Cav Scout Club is to educate and train soldiers, not to take only the best and elite. We're just looking for hardworkers, unlike some of the other clubs, ie the Combat Weapon's Team. While it's a great thing, they only take a few who make the most stringent of cuts. That's why I like Cav Scouts--we want people who are willing to learn. You'll get as much as you put in!</p>
<p>The only real "selection" comes at the beginning. Last year, over 300 people came to the initial meeting. There will be a Club night, I believe during ReOrgy Week. Everyone will go down to Ike Hall. There will be a MILLION people there, but sign up for every club you can. We'll be down there; the only ones with Stetson's on. I'll be there too, the only female. Anyways, you'll sign your name, and that'll put you on the Club email distro. They'll tell you when the first meeting is, and everyone shows up. The leadership will give you guys a briefing about the Club, and sometime that night, an email will be sent out telling people where a drill roll will be. From that point on, it will be a race to the drill roll to see who actually gets into the club. Last year I think we took about 80-100. As the year progresses though, people get busy and stop coming, or decide they don't like being out in the field that much. Then we start taking people again. </p>
<p>Anyways, if you come to Club night, I'll be the only female, like I said. If you come to the first meeting, I'm the 1st Platoon Platoon Sergeant. Just tell me where you heard about the Club and I'll see if I can hook you up!</p>