2007-2008: Holly Black

Leadership training

Hi everyone,

A lot has happened over the last week.  In order to train for Corps jobs in the upcoming years--current sophomore corporals are acting as platoon sergeants and current freshmen are acting as squad leaders and fire team leaders.  Each position will be held for 2 weeks and there will be 3 rotations.  It has been interesting having a corporal with a much different background in charge of us.  Needless to say, many of us miss our real cadre.  Yes, I said it--miss the cadre.

After a while, you get accustomed to being yelled at a certain way or simply hearing someone's voice.  For example, every night since rook week when we've been put to bed, one of our SSG's has always yelled, "Gooooooooodnight SMACKS!"  The first night he wasn't there to say it--I felt a little sad.  Despite all the crap that comes with rookdom, stuff like that is fun.

I'm not sure why, but the company wasn't very motivated last week.  In fact, we screwed up a lot and we were fighting with each other.  Many upperclassmen have said that it happens to every company at some point during the year.  After all, we live in such close quarters that we're bound to pick on each other and get so bored that it actually becomes insulting.  However, we all sat down and had a heart-to-heart moment.  We all admitted how we felt, what was going wrong, and we're hoping to fix that.  This past weekend looked good for the future.  I think we can become even stronger now as 1 unit, as we're supposed to be.

Yesterday my company went on a ski/snowboard trip to Sugarbush, but I had to stay behind because of my First Responder course.  It ended up being a relaxing day for me because there was nobody.  Sometimes being alone is nice and necessary for sanity.  I did laundry, some homework, and course (because this is Vermont) watched the snow fall.

This week is packed solid--I have a ton of work to do and a PT test.  It amazes me how some weeks here there is nothing to do and others you're doing homework all day.  I'm convinced that the professors get together and plan to assign things all at once.  My parents always tell me to take it one day at a time.  That's vital to success at this place.  Sure, it's great to make a road map of what you're going to do in any given week, but plans change by the day.

There are 80 days until Junior Ring ceremony.  That means there are a maximum of 80 days left to this game.  Recognition--We all think about it.  When will it be over?  We don't know.  As the snow continues to fall, all we can do is wait...

Until next time,
Holly

A cold and snowy Vermont

Hi everyone,

I honestly don't think it's that cold outside.  Everyone thinks I'm nuts, particularly my roommates because I'm rarely cold.  I think that's a good thing though because it makes life in a cold and snowy place a little easier.  However, I know it'll get much colder at some point.  I'm waiting and ready.

Week 1 of academics is over and done with.  Just as last semester, it went by very quickly.  I have a lot of reading to do this semester, as that is the primary work to do it in each of my courses.  I don't think it should be a problem.

I was elected Executive Board Secretary for Norwich University Emergency Medical Services.  I was happy about it.  NUEMS is a lot of fun for me because it has people with similar interests (i.e. several nursing majors) and I get a lot of good training.  Next Sunday, I'm beginning a First Responder class and I will take a certification test somewhere around spring break.

I had a alot of fun this morning.  My company played SSG McGrath ball (similar to rugby) in the snow.  It was really awesome, even though my team lost.  I hope to do that again.

I'm ready for bed.  "Sleeping in" on Sundays is awesome.  Tomorrow we have walking leave to Northfield, so I will be going out for lunch and such.  Leaving campus for just a few hours is a huge morale booster.

Until next time,
Holly

Semester underway

Hi everyone,

I have had several readers contact me for more information and to learn more about me.  Feel free to do so.

It seems like just yesterday I was getting in the car headed towards a month of freedom.  Reality check:  I'm back here at Norwich.  Yesterday was a first day back for everything--ROTC PT in the morning, formation, uniform, new classes, and our ever-lurking game of rookdom.  One of my rook buddies said, "I just want to be recognized."  That's the feeling we all have.  We have to be recognized by Junior Ring Ceremony and that's in 93 days from now.  We're getting there, even if it is one day at a time.

I have a heavy courseload this semester.  I'm taking 19 credits and I already have work to do in each of the classes I had yesterday.  I'm trying my best to stay motivated--even though I wish I was back in my bed at home.

Like I said previously, there are some serious highs and lows at Norwich.  Some days are awesome and no matter what happens--it's still a great day.  Other days, you wish you never came.

It will all be worth it in the end.

Until next time,
Holly

Not-so-cold in Maryland

Hi all,

I had a great time in Maryland.  The weather was beautiful--the grass was even green!  I thought for sure I'd be returning to the very cold Boston, but it's actually pretty warm here as well.  The Vermont weather awaits me back at Norwich though.

While I was in Maryland I got to visit the Pax River Naval Air Station where my dad was stationed when he was in the service.  It has built up a lot since his days down there--he almost fell over when I told him there were 3 entrances instead of the original 1.  I brought him back some souvenirs that I hope he enjoyed.

That's one thing that amazes me about people in the military--no matter how many years go by, they can still tell the tales of their days at war and during peacetime.  It all comes down to brotherhood--like old veterans that hold each other and cry at memorial services.  They experienced amazing things that very few get to experience.

I love being from the Boston area and being told that I have a funny accent, I'm an angry driver with road rage, and that I'm naturally sarcastic.  However, meeting different people in different parts of the country (and world) interests me.  While I was standing in a line during my trip, a random gentleman struck up a conversation with me.  He greeted me and said hello, asked how I was--things that ordinary Bostonians don't do.  I have always used my please & thank you's, especially after going to Norwich, but I don't think I've ever had people strike up conversations out of the blue with me.

In less than a week I will be heading back to Norwich.  Classes begin next Monday.  To tell you all the truth, I am more nervous about returning to school than I was prior to rook week.  Getting back into "rookie mode" is going to be an arduous task.

To all of my friends here at home and my buddies from school--I hope you all enjoy the rest of winter break.

Until next time,
Holly