#rookdom

Rook buddies

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.

Y HELLO THAR. RANDOM INSPECTION.

Getting close just be like:

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You see real pizza and popcorn and be like:

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