Rikki Feightner

Importance of the Ring

Tomorrow, April Fool’s Day, marks exactly ten days until we get our rings. It’s so strange to think that finally, we’re here. I remember with no loss of detail being a freshman, watching candidly as our Staff Sergeants and Drill Sergeant worked themselves into a near frenzy the entire week before, present in class but eyes drifting longingly to their hands, smacking palms lightly on the desktops as if in anticipation of the status symbol soon to be there.

Explaining the hype around the Norwich Junior Ring is, unavoidably, something that every cadet will have to explain to an “outsider”. And I don’t say outsider unlovingly; this may be a parent, sibling, significant other, or even a dear friend from home. But the problem of explaining why the mention of the ring ignites a spark in the eye of every cadet is almost an unsolvable one, because the very excitement stems from the culmination of the Norwich experience!

I thought as a freshman that I’d feel much older by the time I got here, to be honest. Everything, even after recognition, was still so new and mysterious about the Corps and how it worked then. That’s the path everyone takes; you watch you cadre, you grow into sophomore year under their eye, sharing rank but gaining experience with your peers, and then Junior year comes. I will say, that insofar as my experience at Norwich goes, Junior year has certainly been the most challenging- and rewarding- of my ‘college career’. While it’s not a lie that more than once, I wished again for the easygoing life that encompasses Sophomore year, this semester-and-a-half of school has taught me more about myself and my leadership style that at any other point in my life. I have been tested, found my limitations, and did things that I never thought possible.

And that’s only the smallest taste of what it is to be a Junior. For many, there’s the double-edged sword of being cadre. While the sleep lost during those months can never be regained, they earn the respect of fresh new cadets; a trust that’s worth well its weight in gold. For others, long hours of paperwork and many headaches will yield a quieter, more personal type of growth. But it’s the growth that matters. A growth that has been built on three years running of trial and error, mistakes, victories, and an unconquerable spirit.

And at the end, there’s the ring. The immortal Norwich ring. It’s not just metal and stone; it’s a living reminder of how the last three years have forever changed us for the better; how we, like that metal, have been shaped and molded and refined to become something incredible.

The Ring.

Ten days.

I can’t wait.

 

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner, Band Co. '15

Tickets to Turkey

As of this morning, I received some incredible news. I, along with Joe (my perpetual companion) have been selected to represent Norwich University in Turkey for two weeks this May as guests of the Olmstead Foundation!

We’re going to Turkey!

The trip, hosted by Professor Emeritus Sevi, will be a two-week tour of Turkey, focusing its attention in Ankara and Istanbul. The project, as previously stated, is via the Olmstead foundation, and focuses on “the Diplomatic Aspects of the Military Profession”. During our trip, not only will we be seeing sights such as the Hagia Sophia  (one of the ancient world’s most impressive feats of architecture, with construction from 537BCE – 1453BCE), the even larger Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, etc.. but we’ll also have the opportunity to get in touch with the “heartbeat” of Turkish affairs through visitations to colleges, Military Academies, the Turkish Parliament, and the US Embassy, where we’ll meet Olmstead scholars currently studying in Turkey itself. Not to mention a chance to interact with local Turkish people and get a real sampling of their lifestyles!

For a diplomacy/culture/travel nerd like me, the trip couldn’t get any more exciting. And while I wouldn’t have minded a bit going home for longer, this is an opportunity I won’t think twice about taking.

Quite often, it seems of late, I’m spending time reflecting on just how many amazing opportunities I’ve had while in college. Norwich has taken me places- and not just in the academic sense. It feels good to know that, even as a new Lieutenant, when I graduate, I’ll already have some leadership experience and will have traveled to Turkey, China, Taiwan, Tibet, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam… even if only (in the case of a few) for a brief period of time. Twenty years ago, it wouldn’t have been possible. But traveling the world and learning its cultures, while defending my nation, is my American dream, and I’m following it.

I’d better start learning some Turkish.

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner, Band Co. '15

RPI Drill Meet

Last weekend was the annual RPI Drill Meet, which I participated in along the other volunteer members of our little drill team. And boy, what a weekend!

Each year, about a month to a month and a half prior, the AFROTC Detachment here at school takes on volunteer cadets from the Wing to form a drill team and compete at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute… an extremely prestigious Tech. university in Troy, New York). There are several events offered for teams to participate that, to anyone with Drill experience, will seem rather common fare; armed and unarmed flight and squad drills, inspections, exhibition performances, and a two-man trick. The competition starts bright and early Saturday morning, so it’s become tradition to travel there each year on Friday night, sleep on the gym floor, and awaken Saturday at 0550 to greet the morning.

For most of the team, it’s a welcome return to a drill meet environment- that is, most of the participants are former JROTC students. I, myself, used to be JROTC (not something one willingly admits at Norwich, mind you), although my branch was Naval JROTC (all that we had, despite Ohio being a virtually land-locked state). The routines go by different services however, which means no matter the past experience, most drillers have something familiar in sound during at least one routine!

For the few who have never had the experience of a drill team, it’s an interesting sight to see. There are plenty of cadets in attendance, all motivated to win, each taking a pride in their craft and their school. Other than one Naval ROTC unit, all of the other teams were AFROTC, meaning that their uniforms were virtually the same. Norwich, however, cuts a striking figure, and stands out- we, on the other hand, wear tunic.

While this might seem slightly counterintuitive (Tunic is an inherently Army uniform, and we’re representing –Air Force- ROTC), there’s a reason for this difference in attire. At Norwich, cadets seeking to commission in AFROTC aren’t given AFROTC uniforms until they receive their Field Training slots… which falls at the end of Junior year. And being that usually over half of our team is comprised of freshmen, aside of Joe and I, who keep coming back, wearing ‘blues’ simply isn’t an option.

While it certainly does make us stand out, I don’t mind… waiting to get the uniforms has an unexpectedly positive effect here. My friends at other colleges, who wear “civilian” clothes normally and thus get their uniforms freshmen year, openly admit that by the time Field Training rolls around, the uniform has become notably less significant to them. But to us… getting to wear blues for the first time is symbolic of accomplishment. I feel, perhaps, that at the end of the day, we have a greater respect for that uniform.

RPI was, all in all, a blast. Our team had less time and freedom of schedule to work with than other colleges but with our combined effort, we pulled together strong, weathered a few last-minute changes, and came home proudly sporting three new trophies. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed RPI, and yes, even as a Senior, I’ll likely return.

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner, Band Co. '15

Pre-Break Thoughts

(Posted, as usual, after the fact!)

So as I fight with the charger on this airplane…. Hello from the skies! I’m currently in flight over Phoenix, Arizona, en route to Los Angeles. I’m lucky enough to be spending a week in California with my beau, Winston, in La Jolla (near San Diego), and even though I don’t mind the drive, it’s been a –long- day of travel. I started off from campus at about 1300 this afternoon, driving with a friend into Boston, where we sat in traffic for several hours (fun, fun…).

General student attitude about break is a battery recharge. Nomatter where you go, it’s not so much getting out of Vermont as it is taking a break from the multiple responsibilities that fall upon a Norwich student. For some, it’s pure relaxation; others, like myself, will bring a bit of work along to make easing back into things after break a bit smoother.

It’s Spring Break for Norwich, but not UCSD… that means a whole week of going to classes (heh) with Winston. The difference, is, though, while at Norwich you’d definitely be a stand-out going to a class you didn’t belong in, UCSD is –huge-. Almost every class is a lecture hall with over 200… sometimes up to 500- students. There is no such thing as a Professor-student relationship here, and I frankly find it sort of disturbing. Norwich has helped me grow very accustomed to full professors (not TAs) teaching me on a small-classroom level, getting to know you… I felt like a number last time I was at UCSD and it makes me rather greatful for the approach that Norwich uses.

That isn’t to say, however, that I won’t be enjoying a bit of the sunshine and incredible weather while I’m in SoCal. I plan on doing some planning for clubs/committees this week, as well as catching up on some much-needed study time for Chinese. In order for me to be where I want to be by the time I head to Shanghai this summer, I’m going to have to work at doing some serious studying and vocabulary… some of which (like Political/Economic terms) isn’t in our book, which means self study. But while Winston and I sit in the back of the lecture hall, instead of goofing around on Skyrim like I joked, I can actually do something productive. Huzzah!

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner

Band Co. '15

Looking Beyond

   

 

     A few weeks ago, I received exciting news- my rated slot for the Air Force had been approved, and as only a Junior at College, I knew my job once I would be commissioned into the Air Force; Air Battle Manager.  The description (given here by the Air Force official website- they say it better than I do-) is as follows;

            "During lightning-fast air combat, every decision makes an impact. And the officers making all of those decisions — right down to choosing the right aircraft for the mission — are the Air Battle Managers (ABM). They use strategy, experience and an intimate knowledge of all aircraft, weapons and surveillance to ensure success. By controlling the battle space and establishing "big picture" situational awareness, ABMs plan and execute the entire theater air operation. Their expertise is also often called upon in an advisory role by other allied military forces."

    While I’m wonderfully excited for this, and feel a certain peace of mind that I at least know my job, I have to be completely honest that it disheartens me a little that my new job won’t have much to do with Chinese, my main love in the field of education. That being said, I’m determined to keep up my language ability post-graduation and do my very best as a new ABM.

    But looking a little closer into the future, specifically for when I –am- in China, I’ve started to go a little deeper with my thinking. Namely; what can I get out of my study abroad experience other than –things-? I’ve bought souvenirs (though trust me, I’m sure to buy plenty more), and have visited the tourist-y places, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s so much –more- to Study Abroad then I’ve been getting.  I was sitting with a friend the other day, elbows-deep in an essay, all the while chatting idly with him about my up-and-coming adventure. My friend, Will, already having been for his semester abroad, smiled coyly and asked, “So… what kind of photography projects are you going to do while you’re there?” I stopped, blinking, my fingers coming to a stop atop the keyboard. “Photography project..” I mused aloud. I hadn’t even thought of such a thing.

    But it was a fantastic suggestion…. Why not do a little soul-searching while I was there? Some independent research, or simply a personal expression project? Excited, I stopped with the essay (bad idea… I had to resume it that night!) and immediately started brainstorming about all the things I could do. It occurred to me suddenly that while I’d be in Kunming, and even Shanghai… my only job would be to study. No uniforms, no formations, no Corps. and Club and Air Force projects to attend to… my schedule would be comparatively free.

    It’s a revelation I’ve been thinking about it all week. Even if being an ABM has nothing to do with Mandarin, I’m excited to do it. And during my semester abroad... well, my 6 months abroad, I’m going to go on a mission to find myself. Answer some of life’s existential questions. And it starts with the lessons of perseverance and self that I learned here on the hill.

Speaking of which... I have some inspections to go run. Happy Friday, everyone!

 

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner, Band Co. ‘15

Tips for Travel Abroad (Especially in China)

    Make copies of important things, such as your flight itineraries, Passport, ID, destination (in English and the destination language, if they’re different). Then make copies of the copies. Stuff one set in every bag you have; this might seem paranoid but I can promise you, if you lose these and have no scans, you’re in for a bad time.

    Don’t take anything that’s irreplaceable/you would be devastated without. (That being said, I’m REALLY debating whether or not to take my Ring.) Things get lost… it just happens sometimes. This goes for clothes, etc., too. China in particular is known for being rough on clothes due to soap/water quality/pollution, so leave that white whatever at home.

    Invest in a luggage scale. Even if you’re a light packer. Quick story; every time I’ve been to Asia, I’ve gone with Joe. Joe is a notoriously light packer and I am ALWAYS the one pushing the 50lb limit on my bags, which in the past meant that I was also the one un- and re-packing my stuff at the airport (embarrassing). Don’t be like me (in this regard). The scale is around $10 on Amazon and is hand-held. Easy!

    Don’t pack frivolously, but that goes the other way, too. Especially if it’s your first trip abroad, you’ll want to take one or two small items that will remind you of home, even if it’s just some pictures on your computer.

    When you pack, pack smart, pack light. What do I mean by this? Before you travel, lay everything you’re taking out on the floor. Then give it a critical look-over… save space by stuffing socks into shoes, collapse boxes and, if you’re really adamant about minimizing, re-bottle your toiletries (if you’re not just going to buy them at your destination anyway) and roll your shirts. Works wonders. Also, bring an extra backpack/duffle for extra space; after buying souvenirs and the like, you’ll probably need it.

    NEVER, NEVER, EVER exchange money at the Kiosk in the airport. You’re getting ripped off. And it’s wise to call and let your Bank know about a week beforehand that you’re traveling abroad… my Bank appreciated knowing that the soon-to-be charges on my card from China were, in fact, me.

    When you pack your carry-ons, resist the urge to just hop on your form of transportation with nothing else than a phone. Having been delayed overnight MORE than once, I’ve learned the hard way that you should ALWAYS stash a few things in your carry-on that will make the difference if you’re in transit for more than a day- a change of clothes, chargers, food, cash, mini-toiletries, etc. I remember being stuck in JFK once for a cancelled flight after the heinous 14-hour flight from Beijing… no change of clothes, no food, phone dead, and debit card lost. It was enough to make me never forget to stuff a few extra things in my little rolling suitcase, though, and that has made all the difference.

    Last but not least, don’t forget to take an open mind! Yes, it sounds cheesy…. But you’re not just studying abroad to change the scenery. You’re experiencing a whole new part of the world… a new culture, new people, and possibly even a new language! Step outside your comfort zone, and you’ll grow in ways you never thought possible. You’re the traveler. YOU make the trip as fun/awful as it’s going to be... so make it awesome.

Happy Travels,

Rikki Feightner

Band Co. '15

[Study Abroad] Loading.....

Eight inches of snow last night, but classes cancelled today? Nah! I don't want to hear your whining, Southern US.

Today I finish the last of my application through Duke to study abroad this summer in Beijing… I’ve applied to two separate programs already and if I get accepted to both, I’m be able to choose between Beijing or a new destination- Shanghai. The program I normally go abroad with (Project GO-funded University of Mississippi or ‘Ole Miss’) is the one that’s moved to Shanghai, and my preferred option, but given that I’ve already studied abroad in their program twice, I figured I’d play it safe and apply to another program- just in case.

Regardless of where I study abroad for the summer, however, I’m lucky enough and absolutely excited to have the opportunity to study abroad in China for the Fall ’14 semester (beginning of Sr. year). And while it’s a little upsetting that this year I experienced my last Norwich “Shark Attack”, my last Thanksgiving and Holiday dinners with the Band, there’s plenty that I won’t miss (the biting cold, the 5am wake-ups, the endless overlay of Corps and Club and Academic responsibilities….) that will make the upcoming semester in China well worth the wait.

I’m currently in the process of applying to study abroad in Kunming, one of the major cities in Yunnan province. Yunnan lies on the Southwestern border of China, and serves as China’s ambassador hub to other SE Asian countries such as Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, and others. The province is also the home of some of China’s natural wonders such as the Stone Forrest, and (a refreshing change) one of the least polluted areas in all of China. During the program stay, we’ll be learning Tai Chi and Buddhist Meditation techniques, taking a two-week Field Study on the Mekong River that will lead us into other countries, and learning local culture, such as dance and cooking with the diversity that is the trademark of Yunnan province. (Yunnan is home to most of China’s 56 minority ethnic group, which will make practicing my Mandarin hard, but help with my ear for dialects.)

It’s exciting and admittedly, a little scary to think that I’ll be in a foreign country for 6 months. But, as always, I’ll be in the company of my friend Joe, and I’m no longer the inexperienced traveler. In fact, I’m looking at the travel as a challenge and have been planning and preparing for the journey. I’ve watching a lot of blogs and browsed a few travel-savvy websites, reading and learning from the experiences of others.

No matter how the trip goes, I know I’ll come out of things with an improved language ability and more worldly mindset. My next post in a few days with cover some of my most valuable (and most reccomended) travel tips.

See you then!

Sincerely,

Rikki Feightner,

Band Co. '15

Grand Return to Blogging

Now that I’m over this incredible head cold, it’s time to make a (long overdue) comeback!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful 2014 thus far… mine’s been pretty wonderful, and hopefully, in the days to come, I’ll be able to recount a little bit of that and then delve back into Winter at Norwich. (And had the opportunity to take plenty f pictures with my NEW Nikon D3200 camera.. as you'll see in the photo at the end of this post.)

Last week was a rough one… I had, as fore-mentioned, a wicked bad sinus infection, which left me unbalanced and with a constant headache. I’m not too pleased to say that I slept from 11am until 8pm on Monday, did homework until Midnight, and then slept for another full seven hours! It was a huge amount of sleep, but desperately needed. I fortunately was able to make up this morning for missing last week’s PT by going to the gym… it’s been far too long and even just after a week of not working out, I feel rather out-of-shape. I’m planning on increasing my exercise intensity and staying away from sweet until Spring Break (and probably until Jr. Ring weekend) because it’s a measurable goal that still gives me ample time to work on it.

The likely reason for the Sinus infection, other than a simple lack of sleep, was the cold ‘snap’ that we experienced a week or two ago… now THAT was the way I think of a Norwich Winter! The entire week, the warmest it got at any point was around 8 degrees, with lows in the negative 20s. Yikes! I’ve found, however, that past negative 5 or so, it all tends to feel the same, windchill notwithstanding.

It’s warmed up considerably, though (by Vermont standards), and even though February always seems to be one of the longest months at the Wick, there’s a variety of activities planned that should make the time between now and Break (or the Ring…) go by pleasantly fast.

First of all, there’s Junior Ring tryons, which if I’m not mistaken are tomorrow. The thought of getting my rings and actually trying them on seems too unreal to be possible… that being said, though, I’m terribly excited. I’m just waiting for my summer pay from studying Chinese this summer to come in from the Air Force, and then I can continue just *dreaming* about the Ring and not worry about paying for it.

Later on in the month, there’s the Annual Snowball, which this year has been replaced by a far more ambitious- and if I can say so- far better planned event. The “Snowball” has now become the “#Snowstorm” (hash tag and all…) which seems to cater less towards a formal event and more towards an EDM (Electronic Dance Music) crowd, with Neon paint and Blacklight volleyball included. It seems to be well planned-out, and the tickets are relatively cheap ($10), so I’ll definitely grab a white T-Shirt and check it out during Winter Carnival (Valentine’s) weekend.

The only other trend that I should mention is my re-commitment to studying- I decided at last semester’s conclusion that I wanted to shoot for a higher GPA in the Spring and so I’ve been cutting out the distractions (bit by bit) and hitting the books more often. That being said, my Asian Politics homework is calling… see you all soon!

 

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner,

Band Co. ‘15

Halloween at Norwich

Halloween is here!(And Samhain as well!)

And Norwich is doing its best to celebrate, though it’s not quite the same without the Corps in costume. (And were we provided the chance, I KNOW that it’d be a sight to see!) The chow hall had Pumpkin carving and “Halloween Cupcake” decorating stations, and a themed bake-sale to boot. Work, of course, outdid itself with a full Halloween lunch.

The “no costumes during the duty day” rule doesn’t, however, stop students (especially the corps) from slipping into festive clothing following dinner and simply walking around campus to showcase their attire. It’s quite common, in fact, and I imagine that this weekend, we’ll see costumes aplenty in an uncharacteristic display of joviality by the Corps.

Also uncharacteristically, I’m somewhat out of things to say. It’s been a long, meeting-filled week. But the good news comes in the form of tomorrow being Friday, and a nice, long weekend just (literally) over the horizon. My plans for it? Relax, read, and sleep. Sounds lame, but by the time Junior year rolls around, you learn the value of a good “chill weekend”.

And chill is –exactly- what I plan to do. Have a good one, everybody!

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner,

Band Co. ‘15

Regimental Ball

Regimental Ball is something for the Corps, by the Corps, and though I’m in favor of keeping friendships and lifestyles harmonious between the Corps and Civilian lifestyles, I enjoy, every once in a while, getting the Regiment together for a big event. And though true, not everyone from the Corps attends Regi Ball, it’s a blast.

My “date”, my boyfriend, Winston, flew up from California to see me. When you’re a freshman, having a date up for Regi Ball, despite the Saturday morning inspection, despite still waking up early, and despite the midnight accountability formations, is one of the most exciting moments of all of October. Admittedly, as an upperclassman, once you have the freedom to leave potentially every weekend, and your “date” can come up pretty much at will, the idea loses a lot of its glimmer. But for someone who only gets to see her significant other once in a few months, it’s just as exciting, and driving to the airport gave me just as many butterflies.

The weekend was a lot of fun; the Ball (and preparation for it) took up most of my Saturday, but Sunday, after the fact, was where the real fun came in. Winston and I, along with a few of the Band Corporals, headed into Montpelier for some browsing, exploring, and a few well-deserved Crepes at the Skinny Pancake. (If you’ve never been and are considering going, I’d recommend the Heartbreaker crepe… it’s heavenly.) Not only was it fun in the form of good food, but it was an excellent way to showcase some of the best things about Vermont, especially since Winston’s from SoCal.

Vermont is, yes, cold and sparsely populated, but the people that live here are, on the average, incredibly artsy and creative; just take a stroll around Burlington to confirm that. A lot of “homegrown”, a lot of “handmade”, and a lot of fresh air.

It was a pretty great weekend.

 

Respectfully,

Rikki Feightner

Band Co. ‘15