<p>WOW! Looks like I came in on a heated topic. I would hope that both 2010 and 2011 would have enough respect not to criticize or negate the achievements of the other. I put out during Recognition and so did all of my classmates. It was the hardest but most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life, and I don't think that's something to be criticized in any way. After we completed training and I heard my Recongition CIC say that I was officially recognized and I got to walk down the hallway to get my prop and wings and get saluted by all the upperclassmen in the squad... that was the proudest moment of my entire life, as well as the biggest honor. And why did we feel so honored? We felt honored because we were being recognized into the Cadet Wing. Recognized as upperclassmen. Recognized for our efforts. And what is the Cadet Wing composed of? The classes of 2008, 2009, and 2010. As such, our class should have a lot of respect for them. There's a difference between friendly rivalry (because obviously gold is way better than blue or silver or red) and just being disrespectful towards one another.</p>
<p>That being said, Recognition is painful but I am more proud to have prop and wings than I have been about basically anything in my whole life. And civies! I remember hornet writing last year after Recognition that he was sitting in his room in civilian pajamas and I didn't really understand how that was such a thrill. Now I get it. I haven't worn my issued backpack on my back yet but I bet that will feel pretty badass too. :)</p>
<p>To all the 2012ers, just remember to respect those who have gone before you and try to learn from the classes above you. We learned from 2010's mistakes and I'm sure permanent party will make sure that you learn from ours. :) Get up for it!!! The Academy is a roller coaster but 4 degree year goes by ridiculously fast. Remember to stay pumped even when it gets hard. It's worth it on the other side!!!</p>
<p>well, redhead has almost figured it out. once she realizes that red is better than yellow (yes, look at it, its yellow), then we'll be in there ;)</p>
<p>I LOVED Spring Break last year. I remember walking into Mitchell Hall and "Glamorous" by Fergie was just banging on the speakers. It was amazing. I remember every detail of that moment... walking in and smiling and everything... I'm sure the 4-degrees will feel the same (if they do play something... hopefully they will). And the first school day after Recognition was glorious. The weather was beautiful that entire weekend and that Monday, the sky was clear and it just smelled nice outside. And I walked across the Terrazzo with my roommate. I loved it.</p>
<p>Well congradulations to all of the 2011 cc's. Petko, Falcon, Redhead, Z-man & Zman07, Mark40, Potter an all the rest. You lost some aong the way, as you will in life, but you completed the journey. Now use what you learned to help 2012 stand tall and proud.</p>
<p>I wasn't trying to be disrespectful, I have the utmost respect for all of the classes, but why would you take it upon yourself to say that we didn't earn our prop and wings? If you truly felt that way, did you turn your back during the ceremony?</p>
<p>it's really not my place to chime in or anything, but i havent noticed any post that said the 4 digs did not earn their prop and wings. If anything the impression i got was that it was a bumpy start but most came together and finished. Atleast, thats what I got out of the posts.</p>
<p>I'm not saying you specifically, I'm just saying in general I thought more people would step up and do better. That doesn't necessarily mean they didn't earn the prop and wings, it just means I was disappointed in some peoples performance over the course of recognition. And I do resrve the right as an upperclassmen to decide who I think earned my respect, and it wasn't nearly as many as it could have been.</p>
<p>I did not turn my back, however, there were a number of kids who I did not salute/come to attention for.</p>
<p>"This is supposed to be a happy occassion! Let's not bicker about who killed who..."</p>
<p>lets just leave it at this: the class is recognized. some of us feel not everyone deserved it, just as i don't think some of my own classmates deserved it. but that always has and always will happen. congrats on making it through, and enjoy the greatest time of your life (post recogntion four dig: freedom and almost no responsibility, especially dead and grad week)</p>
<p>We never said that your class did not deserve their prop and wings. You completed Recognition; whether you put out everything you had or lollygagged your way through it, you completed it, thus, you get your prop and wings. This isn't a contest to see whose class is the best, whose class deserved their prop and wings more. It's about becoming a part of the Cadet Wing. Let's just end this argument and accept that the entire Cadet Wing is now recognized and move on.</p>
<p>I agree with them. It doesn't really matter anymore. Just know that I am now jealous of your class, because from now until graduation, will probably be your easiest time at the academy- no responsibilities, but much more freedom!</p>
<p>Oh and don't blow all your money going out every day during dead week like I did last year...</p>
<p>It is tradition to call the class after you "weak" so get used to it. The upperclass will continue to whine, ***** and moan that "they" had it harder than the current class. It's part of the "training" get use to it. It will remind you that "training" never ends. Suck it up or forever be the wuss that you is.</p>
<p>That is a tradition I hope that we don't follow. I would hope that the comments from me and my classmates were legitimate observations, not "part of the training," which is a terrible statement. I firmly believe that negative "traditions" and sterotypes of cadet behavior and training can be broken, so don't be too quick to write us off just yet. </p>
<p>CCM made a good observation: not once did we say that 2011 didn't earn their prop and wings or didn't deserve them, but rather than we were dissappointed with the attitude at the beginning, but pleased by the time it finished up. So good job, 2011. The next 3 years are just as important (far more, in my opinion) than your freshmen year, so blow us all away with the good you're going to do. ;)</p>
<p>Missmuff, I am excited, as are other 2010's and 2011's on here to meet you and your fellow classmates come April. :) Our CC size from the time us 2010's were appointees till now has grown dramatically. Expect to find yourself in one of our squads next year. ;) I fully expect the gods of the squad switch to place redhead with me in Tiger Ten! ;) Won't THAT be interesting! :)</p>
<p>The point is there may be some legitimacy but typically it is just whining. Ultimately people know whether or not they gave it the 150% required and if they didn't...well they have themselves to blame.</p>
<p>With every class there are those that put out 150% and those that put out 50%. There are those whose effort is apparent even if it doesn't rise to the ocassion and those whose effort is shameful. </p>
<p>That said with every class there are those in the upperclass who WILL whine, ***** and moan just for the sake of trying to feel better than by putting down the 4' class. There are also those in the upper class that do their best with the task assigned and do not whine, ***** and moan but truly provide valuable feedback. As exists in life, there are always exceptions to EVERY situation. </p>
<p>Respect is earned and the 4degrees will soon learn that lesson if they haven't already. It doesn't really matter much what the 3' say (well some) but more importantly what the 4' KNOWS he/she put out. If he/she maxed effort then it really doesn't matter what the upper class said. Yes, it's a team effort as well as an individual effort and to the extent the individual can affect and inspire the team...great....again...the individual knows what his/her response was/is.</p>
<p>2011...if you did your best and then some. Great. If not, shame. If the upperclass puts you down and you know you did your best...focus on what you know and don't let the turkeys get you down. Sometimes people say you are a piece of Sh-t and just cause they say it, doesn't make it so. Learn that lesson too.</p>
<p>Hornet I saw on the today show this morning that they expect redheads to be extinct soon. You might find yourself guarding over a federally protected species.</p>