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I Like It Here

(Choosing the Coast Guard Academy, Class of 2015) Permanent link All Posts

There’s something about coming back to the Academy after winter break that makes you feel depressed. Maybe it’s because of the Swab Summer feeling after the Flag Ceremony, maybe it’s because you had a great time over break and you miss your family and friends, or maybe it’s because you don’t want to do school again, or do 4/c things. Just like every other 4/c, and maybe some upperclass, I felt this coming back to the Academy. But yesterday, something really hit me. I like it here. A lot. The people I’ve met have already made a huge impact on my life from OSC Moore, our Company Chief, to former 4/c Luke Miller, a cadet in our company who got medically disenrolled just this week.

And it doesn’t stop there. I saw this article, which you all can check out.

It blows my mind that despite our current relations with Iran, the Coast Guard (and yes, the Navy) is still willing to go all out to save and rescue distressed sailors and fisherman. There’s a pride in my service that I can’t even explain in words. There were times I’ve doubted being here, whether it was the right fit, whether I could succeed academically or not. The answer to all these small problems lies in the three core values of the U.S. Coast Guard - Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. It comes down to honoring my shipmates who have been with me on this trail and to not let them down, respecting others and myself on having accomplished so much in a measly six months, and devoting myself to every duty I have, going 100% on everything.

The new semester begins. And with that a horde of new challenges. There is no doubt in my mind that my shipmates and I can conquer them all.

More about Samuel.

Posted by Leann Strickland at 2/16/2012 4:08 PM