…And now I’ll get to the real reason for this letter. It’s simple. I need to thank you guys so much, as you know I wasn’t the best kid before the academy I was on probation, had a couple charges on me, I had bad friends and hung around with the wrong crowd, I ran drugs and got in fights quite alot, I was mad at the world, mad at my parents, stubborn, dumb, I ran away, cheat, and stole, I was talking to cops every other day, and biting my tongue whenever the judge would call me out, me and my parents had no relationship, I was mad at myself. The judge told me to go to the academy , my parents and my PO did, I think what really sold me was the fact that it was a free shot out of my hometown for almost half a year and I was was done being scrawny as it had gotten me bullied in the past. Little would I know what would come.
At first I hated the academy and all it stood for, but I knew I needed to get better, I tried so hard to become a great cadet. I was pushed to my physical and mental limits. I would tear my mind apart in my rack each night just to rebuild myself into the best version of myself the following day. I got to train in one of the most gorgeous places on earth. I fell in love with Pierce and every day I dream of the mountains and trees and all the green. I had a brother hood and I was a part of a team who drove each other up.
Every day seemed like hell but I was surviving and my parents seemed so proud. Family day was the final straw! was going to set the standard, I broke down but I got back up, I realized that stupidity was no excuse and, I could become better. Every letter I wrote I felt better, Every A I got on a assignment it made me feel great and when I ranked up or had a rope on my shoulder l coulda cried. Hard work was paying off, I literally had never put as much effort into something until the academy. I was learning to love myself and I was coming to terms with my emotions and I found myself taking advantage of the classes offered and actually listening for once.
I applied for everything, permanent leadership, honor guard, anything I could volunteer for I would hop at it, Never had I done that I was too antisocial, what the heck were you guys doing to me? Days got easier and I was happier. I was learning and just when it seemed like it couldn’t get better we were heading to Lewiston, on the trip there I thought of all the smoke sessions and all the Pt and all the waiting. I was grateful for it all. And when it was over …….. I didn’t want to go home , I’ll still never forget breaking down in front of TSgt Camden, Master Sergeant Pratt having a heart to heart with me outside the ed canter and me being happy for it. I’ll never forget earning the guidon and I’ll never forget the time I spent in Pierce, I will forever be in your guys favor ……….. lt’s gonna sound corny but you guys saved me. I was either gonna end up in jail or dead in a ditch somewhere, But you guys believed in me and gave me my second chance and for that I can’t thank you enough.
When I got back my world was different: I dropped a Iotta people, and no one picked on me anymore, it was funny because people were scared to come up and talk to me they kept looking at me in the hallways, but the teachers were always intrigued and always interested me, the coaches wanted me to do all kinds of sports and I wasn’t just ducking away from people like I used to, everyone said they saw change in me and yes to all the cadre you were right the girls do like the muscles hahah. That’s another thing I realized I shouldn’t really be focused on girls…but for right now my headspace is clear.
I’ve never been so happy in my life. I am so proud of myself and I plan on never stopping, ………. .I’m finally ok with myself and happy with who I am … .thank you all so much for everything you did for me, thank you for never giving up on me I will never forget it…
Last couple thank yous. Thank you to the director for presiding over all of us, thank you to the teachers I’ve never had such great teachers, thank you to the staff and the deputy for holding everything together, and last but not least thank you to the cadre you guys I cannot thank enough you guys are my saving grace you guys all have your own style which made sure we were never not sweaty. Normally i would put a big paragraph here thanking you but i think I’ve covered that. Heck maybe I’ll be a cadre one day.
Thank you guys all so much