cadet blogs

Acclimating and Finding Motivation

(The Cadet Experience, Class of 2015) Permanent link All Posts

Finishing Swab Summer was a huge weight off my shoulders. My next challenge was the academic year. The start of the semester was very difficult for me; I was constantly stressed out and overwhelmed. There are so many upper class, and I have to greet them all. There is so much indoc, and I have to know it all. There are so many uniforms, and I have to prepare them all. My family kept telling me that it would take a while, but I would eventually get into the swing of things, and they were right. With help from my shipmates and 3/c (basically the 4/c mentors), I soon became comfortable and found my rhythm. By the end of the first half of the semester, I figured out my routine, and have seen success so far in my experiences here at the Academy. If you come here, one of the biggest things you will hear is “Ask for help when you need it, and don’t wait until it is too late”. Everyone here is more than willing to help you with anything you need, all you need to do is ask. Relying on my family for support is huge for me; having people to reassure you that it will all work out is invaluable.

Times when I am overwhelmed with work, or just would rather be doing something else than cleaning for an inspection, I find myself pulling motivation from the inside. I think of the opportunity that I have, to receive an excellent education, to protect my fellow Americans, to travel the country and even the world, and most importantly, to become an officer in the Coast Guard; I realize that it isn’t as bad from the outside looking in. Given these opportunities, it is my duty to do the best that I can, even if situations are not enjoyable at all. Put down in a squat position in Swab Summer, I would think of the incredible sacrifices that my grandparents made to come to this country; the sacrifices they made for me to have this opportunity to follow my dream of becoming a Coast Guard officer. This motivation will push you to new limits. Saying to yourself, “If he/she could do or endure that, I can do this”, is incredibly inspiring.

More about Sean.

Posted by Leann Strickland at 2/16/2012 3:12 PM