Luke Lehrling

Procrastination

Hello all,

Today I want to address an issue that every college student, past and present, has had to contend with: procrastination. It's a very dangerous thing and I have succumbed to it for much of this last week. I discovered my love for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. In little more than a week, I have an almost fully-levelled up character but nothing really to brag about when it comes to my study habits of late.

I suspect I am falling into the end of the year slump that happens to so many of us. It's April, and it's finally starting to get nice outside. It is almost summer and we're all ready to get out of here and go back home after another long year at Norwich. But this time in the semester is usually a feast-or-famine type time, and right now I'm in a famine and distracting myself through unhealthy means, like too much video gaming; when I should be exercising and working on becoming batman, as has been my lifelong dream.

I need help, please come find me and pull me away! I feel myself being called to take up the role of Dragonborn again soon...

Hopefully by next week I'll have some tips on how to deal with this craziness.

But as always, May the Force be with you.

Luke

Midterms-Spring Semester Edition!

Hello all,

Sorry about the long vacation, February is always the hardest month for most people here, it's the only month that we're here the whole way through with awful weather and no breaks--not to mention Valentine's Day as well.

But another midterm is here and it's an ever more real thought that college is halfway over. Then begins the rest of our lives, whether it be in the military or the civilian world. We all have some big choices to make, and it's readily coming closer to a time where we can't change our minds anymore. It's a scary notion that the time in our life of potential is coming to an end and the time for embarking on our careers is nearly upon us. But that's not as melancholy a thought as it sounds on the surface, hopefully for most of us that means we will be embarking along long fruitful careers that keep us happy and fulfilled.

I don't know if it's good or bad that all of my midterms have already been taken. This upcoming week will be quie boring, but I guess that just means more gym time!

Questions:

What is it like living in a colder climate?

-It's a bit depressing if you aren't used to it, get used to the colors of white and grey, they'll be around a lot. But the temperature itself isn't that bad. You will adjust very quickly to it, and Norwich gives you a plethora of uniforms to keep warm.

 What is the best thing about Norwich? Or living in Vermont?

 -The best thing is also the worst thing:everything in this town revolves around Norwich. Everyone here is very nice, but it also turns into a secluded little world if you let it. Get out and see Burlington or Barre, you'll already get to know Northfield very well just by coming here.

How has Norwich made you a better person?

-I can certainly say I do more than a fair amount of learning here, as long as I apply myself. College, and Norwich, will generally serve to improve most of us. We get to expand our minds and meet new people (weird, interesting, cruel, eccentric) thy all are somehow represented here.

How does Norwich compare to the other senior military colleges?

-Personally, I haven't been to any of the others, so I can't say from personal experience, but I do know that The Citadel lost its accreditation recently...so yeah.

What is your favorite thing about Norwich?

-The people, my roommates are some of the best friends I have, everyone has a semi-similar mindset and beliefs in service and patriotism, which is nice and hard to find at most colleges.

How do you feel about the civilians on campus?

-Some of my besy friends here are civilians and they're usually very nice people. Just don't anger them or they'll run to your building and pull the fire alarms when you're asleep--or maybe that was the guy who never learned how to cook mac 'n' cheese...

How challenging is The Corps of cadets mentally and physically?

-As challenging as you make it. Really, thats what my Platoon leader told us every night before lights out last year. "This place is what you make of it." The Corps alone will not get you into perfect shape, it will help, but you need to have self-motivation too. Unless you want it and really try, you won't change much, you may stand straighter out of habit or say sir more often, but unless you really apply yourself, you won't change much.

What is it really like as a Rook?

-Fun, I know it sounds weird at first, but as long as you prove yourself--and everyone else in your platoon can--you will have a legitimately fun time semi-often while you're still a rook. You will almost certainly have had more miserable times, but it's not all awful. Just apply yourself, be hiknest, don't make stupid mistakes, and you'll be fine. Rookdom isn't that hard, you mostly just do as you're told, if you can do that, you'll be just fine. It's entirely a headgame.

Is the food good?

-Yes, it is above average and many visitors from other schools say that its really good and some even say its better than the chow hall at their school. It jst loses it's luster after you have it every day, three times a day. But it is honestly pretty good, and sodexo does their best to keep it interesting, just pray that they do hot wings on Super Bowl Sunday like usual!

May the Force be with you!

-Luke

Back to School

Hello all.

Well, it's the beginning of another fabulous semester at Norwich... It's bright and not depressing and cold out in the slightest! Honestly, this is always the absolute worst time of year here. No one is excited to start the semester--except for the seniors (because they know it will be the last Vermont winter they have to endure).

But for the rest of us, this is a very hard time, colors seem more dull, food tastes worse, and life in general seems less wonderful than usual (although this is certainly due, at least in part, to the awesomeness of our respective Winter Breaks).

But if you can survive here now, then you can do just about anything. It's not much fun, but you have to grasp onto the little things you can do to have fun. Listen to music, study to take your mind off of things, watch netflix, call home and family, just don't obsess over it or let it dominate your thinking, otherwise you'll be one of the most miserable people on campus--and who wants to hang out with them?

So, I encourage you to stick it out, especially you freshmen, if any of you read this... because spring semester is always the saddest, but it improves greatly in March, the sun comes back up and the tanning on Goodyear beach starts. That's when you know everything is pickiing up again. So just keep counting down those 52 days until Spring Break and 114 days until Summer, and be patient.

So good luck, and may the Force be with you.

Luke

Reading Day & Christmas Break

Well, reading day is finally here--and if everyone doesn't have a headache from the festivities of the Holiday dinner and the things that happened after it--are probably studying for finals. I know that I have one tomorrow so I'll definitely be in front of my computer most of today.

So I hope everyone had an awesome holiday dinner experience, I was with my cadre from last year and it only hit me when she observed it, but this would be her last holiday dinner at Norwich. All of the seniors will be gone next year--in some ways a blessing and in others, a curse. Then I realized that we would be in charge of all this pretty soon. We're halfway to being seniors, and nearly halfway done with college, I still wonder where the time goes... even though sometimes Tuesdays feel like they last forever.

I am appreciative of the time I get to spend here, even though watching shows like Blue Mountain State make me wish I went to school back home I realize that I'm getting a far more rewarding experience here (or at least, that's what I tell myself). But seeing guys like Jim Black come back after he started here in 2001 or so inspire me and make me feel like I'm making the right choice.

So everyone, I would just like to wish you all the happiest of holidays and the merriest of Christmases, I know that this'll be one of my better ones already. Well, adios everybody, I'm gonna be off to Tucson soon! Good luck with your finals!

May the Force be with You,

Luke 

Finals are coming...

Howdy everyone.

I apologize for it being so long since my last post, I fell into a post-election depression and then just couldn't find motivation to write for a while. That and finals are fast approaching, but I'm back now and hopefully it'll stay that way.

Finals week is almost here it's only 6 days until reading day so all of us are feeling the pressure of the upcoming finals. I know in my room things are getting pretty hectic and between marathons of Avatar: The Last Airbender, we are studying up a storm and certain other things (like room cleanliness) are definitely taking a backseat to academics. Hopefully we'll be ready and destroy all of our finals when the time comes!

There'll be more news to come, and a quick question to anyone interested in offering advice: should I go Veterinarian or Aviation? I love helping animals and living wherever I want, but I also love blowing things up with rockets and miniguns...

May the Force be with you!

Luke

Midterms and what they mean (other than the obvious)

Hey all,

    I'm writing here today mostly to decompress from nearly constant studying this weekend. It's officially the time of midterms. Almost all of mine happened last week, but one stubborn one persisted and threw a monkey wrench into most of my plans this weekend. But that's why I'm going to destroy it tomorrow!

    And another thing that midterms tell us is that we're officially halfway through the semester, which means many important things are happening soon--or just happened (congratualions on junior ring unveiling, the ring looks really awesome). Regimental Ball is also coming up, which means a lot of us are having loved ones come to visit us (here's looking at you, Fallon) and that gives us hope for everything going on the rest of the semester. I'm close to halfway done with my college career, and that's a very sobering thought. I feel excited and nervous depending on the day. I can't wait for the freedom that I'll have once I graduate, but also worried about what job I'll have--because there are no guarantees if you're going Army other than that you will have a job after you graduate.   

    I don't know what demographics read this, and I'm probably preaching to the choir, but I'd like to thank all of you who do. I hope you all did well on your midterms, and good luck with the rest of the semester.

May the Force be with you.

-Luke

 

Committed to the Army (Officially)

    Today I swore in and offically contracted with the U.S. Army. I have a 3-year scholarship so let's hope all goes well. I just have to buckle down a little more when it comes to studying (sophomore year is the forgotten year when everyone lets things slip--particularly grades) to make sure I can get in the top 10% come junior year.

    If you would like to know what the ceremony was like, we went over our paperwork--which was all inside of very official looking folders--with Major Balas, signed and initialed where we needed to, then we stood in front of the wall and all of the loved ones and friends who wanted to come and they all watched as we took our oath. It was quick but very fulfilling, even with the lack of personal attention, MAJ Balas told us that we were the largest group he had ever sworn in all at once (and we probably always would be). There were 19 of us, mostly scholarship cadets, and he shook all of our hands afterwards and congratulated us. We were reminded by Colonel Smith how lucky we all were and how we should be very careful not to do anything to jeopardize our futures with the army.

    I really do feel very lucky and blessed today, everything seems to be falling into place, I simply have to be vigilant and keep myself honest.

    Oh yeah, and to all you Ranger candidates who completed Indoc/NRASP today, congratulations, now you've earned the right to train with the company, you still have a long year ahead of you...

    Thanks for reading, and May the Force be with you.

-Luke

September 11, 2012

    Tonight we did something that was truly unique (to my knowledge) to Norwich, it's called Echo Taps, and it is easily one the most beautiful military ceremonies there is. If you are unfamiliar, the entire Corps of Cadets-and actually some of the civilian students-come out to the UP (Upper Parade ground) and form up like usual, but as soon as our feet touch the UP, no one speaks a word for the rest of the time we are there.

    There is a haunting rendition of Taps, a slow ceremonial salute by the entire Corps, and then Amazing Grace is played on the bagpipes; which is not cliched at all when done in the proper context.    

    This is the idyllic version of what Norwich should be like every day. President Schneider was there, as well as the entire Command staff, and not a word is necessary to express what we are all feeling, and how we should express that as members of the Corps and as future officers in the armed forces.

    11 years after that day, we all reflect on it and the consquences it has had on all of us, and the impact it has had on all of our lives: those who lost their lives that day, those who sacrificed to prevent an evil plan from succeeding, and all those who have gone since then to fight against such evil.

    But let this day not be the only one in which our fervor is reawakened, let it not be the only day where we can stand together in a year rife with controversy, let it not be the only day where we can be one country without division and all be proud to call ourselves Americans.

    I hope this spirit of patriotism can last longer than the next few hours because it is truly good to see. God bless you, the troops overseas (and those who soon will be), and may He continue to bless the United States of America.

-Luke

Labor Day Weekend

Hi everyone, now that we have had our first week of academics and the Rooks have completed Rook week, I think this is a good time to share with everyone what is going on here at school.

The Corps is a little different: standards are rising, which makes everyone's life a little harder, and I am not immune from complaining about the aspects I think are ridiculous or pointless, but, in the sake of fairness, I think we do look more professional in the eyes of the administration.

Rookdom is different too: not drastically, and I won't say that the standard has dropped like every class says about the incoming Rooks, however, there are far too many people willing to sue over what most people would consider trivial things, and it is changing Rookdom for everyone in the future (for the worse, in my opinion) and that is all I will say about that.

Academics are still the same (fortunately): the faculty here has things pretty well figured out, so while we have a new Cadet chain-of-command every year who all think they will be the best thing to ever happen to the Corps; the faculty has the perspective to see what will really work, as opposed to the people who will only be here for four short years, and want to leave some sort of legacy behind.

So freshmen, I wish you good luck in the rest of the year, you only get one Rookdom, so make it count and learn everything you need to, because no one is going to baby you after this year. Everyone else, I hope you have a great Labor Day weekend, and I envy all of you that get to spend it with your family.

May the Force be with you,

-Luke

Back At Norwich

    The first nights away from home are always the hardest, that's what they say, at least. Last night was my first time back on campus, I'm living in Crawford hall, which I must say is a lot nicer than Goodyear so far, if not as convenient a location. I have two awesome roommates, who I'm sure will make the year very adventurous.

    I'm not having nearly as much trouble adjusting to Norwich as I did the first time-thank God for that-but it still isn't the best feeling taking half of your belongings and carting them across the country while leaving family and friends behind, albeit only for a while. Still, being able to talk, text, and Facebook as much as I want is a big help.

    The future Rooks arrive tomorrow and I suspect it will be a very cathartic experience seeing them go through the same things I did just last year. I'll be talking to a lot of them about Ranger company before they go in to get all of their new supplies. Then they and I will both wait for the "shark attack" that will come later and introduce them to a whole new way of life: one of respect, humility, discipline, and sacrifice.

Good luck, boys and girls. I think you'll need it...