2008-2009: William Day

A Flurry of Activity

With my internet down for the past week, I wasn't able to keep up with everything that's been going on. We've been going non-stop, but it's finally started to slow down.

The weekend after our parents left, we had the much-anticipated Regimental Ball. For many, that meant bringing dates up from back home, but I decided to ask a recruit from another company. The tradition behind it is that the man must request permission from the company's platoon sergeant, and in some cases, from all of the other recruits in the company. In my case, my two options were either a private PT session with the company's platoon sergeant (read: smoke show), or write some type of essay. I opted for the PT (even if my writing is much better than my physical performance), and eventually earned the privilege to ask her, to which she said yes. We were finally issued our dress blues for the ball (which are surprisingly comfortable), and all in all, everyone had a great time.

One of the most memorable moments of the night was when "Goodnight Saigon" was played. I'm not sure how the tradition started, but everyone gathers with their original company, hoists people onto their shoulders, and shouts their company's name throughout the song. It was a strange moment, and was the first time in our 2 months here that rank was forgotten, albeit for a few minutes. We're still a LONG way from being Cavalry Troopers, but it gave a glimpse of the camaraderie that exists between the upperclassmen.

This past weekend was mid-semester break. Most of Cavalry took the opportunity to head home (myself included) for a few days of much needed rest. I left Thursday afternoon, and after a long 8 hour bus adventure in a stuffy tunic, arrived in Maine that night. It was a great few days away, especially being able to see the rest of my family. And unlike parent's weekend, I actually got to eat homemade food and sleep in my own bed!

For those who stayed at the barracks, they were allowed to have their doors shut, listen to music, go to eachother's rooms without permission, and have walking leave to Northfield. Sounds like a good alternative for those who lived too far away.

This Saturday is the Navy/Marine Corps Ball, which is a lot more formal than the Regimental one from what I hear. I don't know many details about it, but will touch on what it was like next time. The countdown for Thanskgiving break has started and stands at 25 days, as well as the unknown countdown until the end of Rook Basic Training sometime in November. There's a lot to look forward to, and as long as we can make it until Thanksgiving, Christmas break will be right around the corner.

Until next time,

Will

Parent's Weekend, Privilages, and Anxiety

I thought about waiting for what the rest of the week held, but I think Parent's Weekend deserves a post:

After two months of being separated from family up at Norwich, Friday was an amazing day. Even the parts of the day that usually drove me insane had a glimmer of hope, because I knew, no matter how badly I messed up, I would finally be able to see my parents again that afternoon. I bolted out of the chemistry lab the second I was finished, and saw my mom and dad standing by the barracks as I came back to get ready for the parade. It felt weird (and also like I was breaking a rule, even though I wasn't) to be squaring in the gutter, see their faces, and fall out of my usual locked-on mode to give them a big hug.

Things got even better during the parade, when we were given three privileges by the Cadet Colonel:

- Permission to have one 3x5 framed photo on our shelf (eliciting some chuckles from parents).
- 20 minute phone calls on Sunday instead of 10 minutes (actually enough time for a conversation).
- No more sounding off with knowledge of the day when entering the hall. (Many parent's didn't understand this one, but for the Rooks, it is a welcome relief and makes the barracks more peaceful for studying).

As we signed out and were released to our Parent's, it was the best feeling in the world to climb into the car and drive away from campus. Before even going to the hotel, we went and had a long, multi-course meal at an Italian restaurant in Montpelier from 1700 until 2000. From what I'm used to at this point, it definitely tasted like one of the best meals I've ever had. As soon as we got back to the room I crashed, and woke up at 0600 to get ready for the Jodi competition. Saturday was busy, but everything went well (even if we didn't win the Jodi competition or banner). Once again we were released, and once again we had a huge meal before I fell asleep back at the hotel for 12 hours.

Sunday was completely uneventful and relaxing, aside from doing a few errands to stock up on supplies for school. We were told to return by 1800, and the second we did, the cadre were sure to let us know that we weren't on vacation anymore. Expectations rose, patience for mistakes was gone, and all of us received a big slap of reality that Parent's Weekend is over.

As I write this Monday afternoon, I'm a little bit depressed (and from the look on everyone's faces, I'm not alone). We had all be waiting for those few days for over a month, practicing every day for the Jodi competition, putting in endless hours on the banner, and when we finally did see them for the first time, we all felt like we had accomplished something great, were on top of the world, and had maybe reached the tipping point. Moreso, most of us had adjusted to not seeing our family after the first month or so. Now, I feel that familiar tingle in my stomach that I had the first week of academics when I would always think about home. It was great, and now it's over; the hype has come to a screeching hault, and the cold weather is setting in. I just need to keep motivated, though.

There are 10 days until mid-semester break, and I've resolved that I'll take the overly-long bus ride to get home, even if it is only for a couple of days. I'll need it to make it 40 days until Thanksgiving break. If there's one thing Norwich has taught me, it's to cherish everything. What I wouldn't give to simply look around and eat like a normal person...

I've found that little steps are key: Regimental Ball this weekend, then mid-semester break, and Navy/Marine Corps Ball the weekend after that. As one of my staff sergeants said, the days are long, but the weeks are quick.

Until next time, I plug along.

-Will

Putting it all Together

With Parent's Weekend only ONE day away, this week has been packed with all sorts of preparation.

It all began last weekend with the Navy FEX, which began Friday night at 1900 with an Escape And Evation exercise. We were split into groups of 20-25, and given a mission somewhere around campus. Ours was halfway up Paine Mountain, and we were told to plant 5 "bombs" without being detected. Normally, this wouldn't be impossibly diffuclt, but attempting to move 20 people in complete silence, in the pitch black, though the dead cold, and while stepping on crunchy leaves makes the task seem a bit unreasonable (especially when the people looking to catch us have 10 people). We still had fun, though.

The next morning began at 0700 with various stations that emphasize different skills. We began with a pool PT phase, then moved on to sailing at a local pond (probably the least enjoyable, especially when the boat tips and it's 40 degrees outside), then Vehicle Boarding Search and Seizure. The latter entailed entering Plumley Armory while pretending it was a ship, and using all the proper protocol to detain the crew and search for any contraband. Finally came the land navigation portion, which gave us 90 minutes to cover roughly 15 points in a 5 mile radius. As a final result, our team came in second, and just a few points behind. All in all, it was a very sucessful weekend, though I am disappointed that I couldn't go to the barn with the rest of the company on Saturday because of the FEX.

As I stated, this week has been overloaded with things to do. Many mid-terms were given, yet we were also trying to finish the banner and perfect the marching routine for the Jodi Competition. To make matters worse, Cavalry Company lost the privilage to be anywhere alone, and now if we're not going to class, we need to have someone with us at all times to escort eachother to lunch, the uniform store, the library, and even the bathroom. With the hectic schedule that everyone has, it's extremely difficult to coodinate an effective system. From what I've seen, however, we've been able to "improvise, adapt, and overcome" the situation, even if it does mean missing a few meals.

As the weekend gets closer, the campus is on edge. The recruits want to show their parents how much they've improved, and the cadre want to show theirs how they've transformed us in less than two months. We still have a long way to go, but October is going to fly by. Next week is regimental ball, and then mid-semester break. Soon, Thanksgiving break will be knocking on the door.

Until next time,

Will

Single Digits (no, not the temperature)

I seem to have a strayed a bit from my weekly posting schedule; even though days crawl by here, weeks are gone in an instant. Regardless, it's hard to believe that we've entered our 7th week at Norwich. Classes continue to plug along, and for my Chemistry major, the workload has been surprisingly light with only two short papers for English and a few tests for Chemistry and Calculus. There is generally homework every night, but nothing more than an hour or so. All in all, there's a nice balance...for now.

This past Saturday we went to the barn to ride horses for the first time. It was a great time, even if most of it was spent mucking out the stables and washing saddles. Having no experience, I was terrified for the first few minutes, and eventually began to get the hang of it. I won't be doing anything close to advanced until next year, but I know that I'll get better as time goes on.

On another note, I had a strange moment in class the other day. While talking to one of my Rook Buddies, I realized that I had left one of my books back in my room. I have always referred to it as "the barracks" or "Gerard Hall," but today, I said that I had forgotten it "at home." It made both of us pause for a second, then chuckle at the adaptations we've made. For myself, the first 3-4 weeks here were always filled with how life used to be and the routines that I used to follow. Now, I see this experience as my life, rather than just a summer camp that has a definitive ending point (which is what Rook Week felt like). The morning PT, the cadre staff, the high levels of organization, Sodexo food - at this point it would feel strange to go back to anything else.

Though I may feel acclimated, myself and the rest of the company are going crazy in anticipation for Parent's Weekend in just 9 days! We've been practicing for the Jodi Competition (a marching and cadence face-off between all of the freshmen companies), for 2-3 hours a day, and it's beginning to come together nicely. I can't disclose any specifics, but I'm confident that we have the best routine out of everyone. In addition, we've started work on a very complicated company banner that will be hung on the side of the barracks. Judging by the scale of the project (2 bedsheets in size), I can tell there will be several sleepless nights leading up to October 10th.

The Navy department has a Field Training Exercise this weekend (no rest for the weary). I'll be sure to comment on how that went during next week's entry.

A note to all of the parents: Get ready to see a big change in your child in less than 10 days. They're still the same people, but judging from what I've seen from when I arrived August 17th until now, the discipline levels have increased dramatically.

To the prospective students: Be sure Norwich is what you really want. If you have hesitation about joining the Corps, then this 8 week period between Rook Arrival Day and Parent's Weekend, as well as all of Rook Year, will be miserable. It's all about finding a silver lining in a lump of coal, and staying positive regardless of how unbearable it seems.

Until next time,

Will