Perspective 

Class #1 = Done. Now to wait on the final grades to be posted. Thankful I have a few weeks off before the next starts. #stantonpack #mpajourney #yourlifeisyourstory #norwichforever @norwichuniversity https://www.instagram.com/p/BmrbPpbBVbASH1b2FHNv_k8GdKitmhDZ2_N5oo0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vpdaynpkkift

Rook buddies

What the fuck even happened during rook week? I honestly can't say that I remember much. I do remember it was a lot of sweating, yelling, not sleeping, briefings, and a bunch of thinking, "What the hell am I doing to myself?". As for specific events, I really can't remember what happened on a day to day basis. It seems that's the case for a lot of people. Rook week always seems to be the time that many people quit. In my platoon specifically, we only had 2 people quit around that time, if I'm not mistaken. One kid, Turner (sorry to call you out, bud), quit THE LAST DAY of rook week. I never understood that. Like, you're going to put yourself through all of that just to quit? I mean, yea, it's hard to some people, but nothing good in life comes easy. Anyways. Rook week. Waking up with the canon every morning HAD to be my favorite part. Like oh man, the canon would go off then like magic all the cadre would be in the hallway banging on and kicking our doors. Then go out for PT. That's all I remember. Oh and there was also the Dog River Run. THE BEST DAY OF ROOK WEEK. On the last day of Rook Week, the entire rook training regiment went to the Dog River located behind campus and ran it. Stopping in between to do push ups and flutter kicks and all that happy jazz. Along the way, we are allowed to get a rock and have that be our door stopper as rooks aren't allowed to have their doors closed during rookdom. TIP: GET A FLAT LONG ROCK TO USE FOR A ROOKIE STOVE! Rookie stoving has saved my life. You will thank me for my advice. That day ended with the Oath Ceremony where we officially became rooks/recruits.

This was the only day of Rook Week I remember every bit of. Waking up, getting dressed in rookie storms, taking only small bites of my breakfast because my stomach was already in knots, and leaving the hotel to drive the campus I had only seen once before. On my way there, I saw another family on their way to drop off their future rook, but they were pulled over...and this rook was on all fours. In front of him was what looked to be his breakfast from a few hours ago. I couldn't help but imagine what was going through his head. Was he THAT scared? I mean, I was scared too but I made sure to draw my mind literally anywhere else so I didn't end up like RCT. Upchuck over there. Anyways, as my father and I got closer, I could see the traffic start to get bumper-to-bumper as the long line of future recruits only got longer. Now, I'm not going to spill all the details about that day because if you're reading this out of curiosity of what's to come, you will need of find out for yourself. That's part of it! You need to experience it just like the rest of us: going in there blind. But I will, however, give you a brief overview. When you pull up, get your cover and name tags...don't do what I did. I was given my rookie name tag and was told to put it on one side of my chest...I came out of my hole with it on the wrong side and IMMEDIATELY got off on the wrong foot with the cadre. Not a good idea. Follow orders. It will save you. So the day went on and my father and I did what we needed to do before saying goodbye. When I got my black trunk filled with my uniforms, name tapes, blankets, etc. That's when I knew that this shit was really happening. I had spent just about a year pulling my hair out and stressing over colleges and it was finally happening. Anyways, I asked my father to help me with the trunk because this thing was bigger than I was and he just looks at me and goes, "Ha! Nope, you gotta get used to doing things you don't want to over here. Carry it yourself." THANKS DAD! So I drag and carry this heavy ass trunk up countless flights of stairs when I notice my dad isn't by my side. I look back and he is carrying another rook's trunk. This rook, we will call her RCT. Stairs, was overweight and couldn't drag the trunk let alone carry it. I felt bad but at the same time I was thinking...how is she going to make it if she can't even drag this trunk up some stair? Needless to these thoughts kept coming as I'd look back and she was struggling just to walk up the stairs. She wasn't carrying anything but she was holding on the railing like she was being blown away by wind. I honestly didn't think she'd make it far. Fast forward a few hours to the part that all rooks become even more anxious and the parents dread. The goodbyes. We sat in Shapiro Field House when Pres. Schneider addressed us. He spoke then the C/COL Gats spoke. We were told we had 7 1/2 minutes to say goodbye then the rooks would have to split from their families and sit with their new platoons. I'm not gonna tell you which platoon I'm in because fuck...I don't want my cadre seeing this shit. ANYHOW, I gave my father a hug and said goodbye as I say his eyes fill with tears. I had never seen him cry but he was crying alright! Next thing I know, the 7 1/2 minutes are up and I'm looking for a white piece of paper with my platoon. We then stood up and HEINOUSLY marched out of Shapiro. That's when I almost shit my pants. My dad was no where to be seen and all I could see and hear were the cadre saying, "LEFT. LEFT. LEFT RIGHT LEFT." Then we were bombarded with cadre names that no one remembered at the time and shit hit the fan. And so began Rook Week and Rookdom. I will never forget that day. If you're reading this and not sure if it's something you wanna do....do it. You won't regret it.

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