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Getting Ready for the Tap

(The Cadet Experience, Class of 2013) Permanent link All Posts

Near the end of February, when everyone was getting worn down and Spring Break was still four papers, three midterms, a math test, and two lab reports away, our class vice president sent out an email with this Winston Churchill quote:

"To every man, there comes in his lifetime that special moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered that chance to do a very special thing, unique to him and fitted to his talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for that which would be his finest hour."

I think that that quote really sums up why we are here, and why the Academy is not easy. We are preparing to be leaders in the U.S. Coast Guard, which will require us to make some extremely difficult decisions and face challenges that seem unconquerable to me right now. Nearly everything that we do here, even the small things that at times seem tedious and unimportant, has a purpose. We learn discipline, confidence, and critical thinking so that when we do finally get out into the fleet, we can learn how to be good officers. When the moment comes and we have a chance to truly make a difference, I like to think that we will be well prepared by all of the hard work that we are putting in now at the Academy.

More about Julie.

Posted by Leann Strickland at 2/14/2012 9:01 AM