cadet blogs

Don’t Eat the Marshmallows Yet…

(Choosing the Coast Guard Academy, Class of 2014) Permanent link All Posts

My dad once gave me a book entitled "Don’t Eat the Marshmallows Yet…" by Joachim de Posada. The overall theme is patience and as a result, good things come with time. I didn’t think anything of it back then. Now I am beginning to see what my dad was trying to tell me. As 4/c year draws to a close, more and more privileges are earned. Although looking at food does not seem to be all that exciting, it means a great deal to a 4/c. Essentially, getting things taken away and given back gradually instills patience and it is probably one of the hardest virtues to uphold. I have learned not to complain but to understand the ‘why’. In addition to infusing life lessons, there is the education. Academics are tough but it is great to have shipmates who are all willing to work together to learn the material. December and April are the most demanding times of the academic year. Most of the major projects are due and instructors are racing the clock to teach the last bit of material before finals.

The 4/c are on the verge of carry-on, 3/c are almost allowed to wear civilian clothes, 2/c will have cars and 1/c will move on to bigger and better things. Spring is probably the most exciting time of the year. It has been a long year of 4/c duties and obligations but, the snow has melted, the birds are chirping and I can feel the sun on my skin and I am preparing for an exciting trip to Europe with Eagle. I know I’m proud to be here.

To the class of 2015, your time is coming soon. As the class of 2014 transitions to become your mentors, know you are in the hands of some great cadets. Swab Summer will test you mentally, physically, and success truly lies in teamwork. Regardless of where you came from, the end results will be the same: becoming cadets with sound bodies, sound hearts and alert minds. This time last year I was packing my things from NMMI (prep school) and getting ready to begin my life at the Academy. I didn’t anticipate how much my life would change. I have made great friends and its only gets better as time passes.

More about Jennifer.

Posted by Leann Strickland at 2/15/2012 11:35 AM