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Leading Others: A Response

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

As my Cadre experience continues to follow me in my rear view mirror, I am thankful that I took the time to record my thoughts, feelings and perspectives from before the summer. Reflecting on my perspective from before the experience is a true indication of how far I have come. I am absolutely blown away by how much I learned from the experience. My mission over the summer was to teach and indoctrinate the Class of 2015 swabs in Charlie Company. While I am confident that I did accomplish what I set out to do, I also know that my swabs in Charlie Company taught me as much as I taught them. I learned from my swabs in 2015, my shipmates in 2013, and my experience in the summer of 2011.

On the morning of June 27, 2011, the Class of 2013 took command of our respective companies. My classmates and I in the Charlie Company Cadre section woke up early that morning and prepared for the day we would never forget. The mood was tense. We were anxious to begin what we had been preparing for. To be quite honest, nervousness had set in. Among the seven of us that were in the Cadre section, not a single one of us had ever done what we were about to do. There we were, on the cusp of assuming more power and responsibility than ever before, in a role that we had no experience in. All we could do was put our trust and our faith in the countless hours of training that we had received in the days leading up to Reporting-In Day. The time for Charlie Company swabs to report had come. I remember shaking hands with each of my fellow Cadre and wishing them luck. We took our positions at the archways leading into Chase Hall, and waited for the bus full of swabs to arrive…

I do not remember much more about what I did that day, or what actually happened. No single event or evolution makes it a day that I will never forget. What makes June 27, 2011 a day that I will remember forever is the 38 remarkable people I met. From the moment the bus full of swabs arrived, it was all about the swabs in Charlie Company. I will remember meeting 38 young Americans who inspire me. I am blessed to be a member of Charlie Company, because I could not imagine having gone through the experience without those special people. Those 38 young Americans who reported to Charlie Company on that June morning have forever impacted me in ways that I cannot describe. The only feeling of disappointment I have in that group is that we finished 36 strong, losing Swab Baldwin and Swab Brady for medical reasons. As for the 36 people who made it through, I couldn’t be more proud of them.

I also cannot say enough about my six classmates in Charlie Company’s Cadre section who took charge and lead with a passion and professionalism that was unparalleled. Cadets Madeline Blackburn, Clare Dorsey, Brennan Lee, Stephen Nolan, Katie Romas and Garrett Wright composed the group that did a spectacular job. These six individuals were prepared for the leadership challenges they would face as cadre. Their preparation was evident and their excitement was contagious. I was blessed to be a part of their group.

Up to this point in my Academy career, my time spent as a Cadre was by far the single best experience that I have had. It was inspiring to be in the company of 38 young Americans who were motivated and driven to answer the call to serve. While I was the one tasked with teaching and setting the right example for them, I learned just as much from them as I hope they did from me. Their example of a strong work ethic and a positive attitude in the face of adversity is something that I will always keep with me. Thanks to those special people, my time spent as Cadre is a time that I will never forget.

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Posted by Leann Strickland at 2/14/2012 12:55 PM