Wolfpack Wisdom
Lessons I learned as an ROTC Cadet
Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes
What’re some M.E.D.’s for getting to know somebody, or at least for gathering some valuable and broadly applicable intel on them? Of course, we could go with the modern-day approach: stalk the sh** out of them on social media until we fall asleep on the couch; however, let’s entertain the idea that there is more to Jonny than his duck face from 2014 – yes, we know you are really scrolling that far down – or that his trip to the Boston Garden might not evidence his devout commitment to community and his passion for supporting others because he may just like drinking beer and watching the Bruins. Sure, there are the classics, like checking out how he/she treats the waitress or paying attention to how they talk about their mama, but those hints typically require a bit of digging to acquire. In my opinion, bumper stickers, or even the lack thereof, are one of the best bang for your buck options, but even they necessitate seeing the person’s vehicle. The coveted screensaver on the other hand provides nearly as much quantity and quality while also only demanding a quick glance at the addictive metal box they are guaranteed to be carrying around when you’re with them. So, what’s on yours, and what could a new friend deduce from seeing it?
The normal answer would be something like a photo of you and your friends from formal, one with your puppy, or one of you with your significant other, each of which offers a decent showing of who you are, or, if nothing else, a decent option for an ice breaker. In my case, you will find an immediate nerd signal, as, since early high school, my background has always been filled with some type of quote. What can I say, I like words, and I appreciate it when they’re combined in eloquent and memorable ways. In this regard, my time as a Cadet in the UConn ROTC program has been anything but disappointing, as it was filled with military phrases, powerful and comical alike. As I commissioned from the program last week, I looked back on all of these phrases and recognized that they, much like a screensaver, offer great insight into what type of people surrounded me over the past few years. For this reason, I selected a handful of my favorites to share with you below along with the following:
1. Their take-home message
2. How they actually applied to my peers and I in the context of ROTC
3. What they taught me moving forward
Out of respect for their privacy, I have not listed any of the sources for the quotes below, but you know who you are – thanks.
“Get out of your map from time to time.”
Remember to detach and look at the big picture, especially when you’re stifled or lost.
Be careful not to get lost in your map, as the orange striped box you are looking for – representing the land navigation points my peers and I occasionally got terribly lost chasing after – might be one short gaze away.
As somebody who enjoys spending hours in some form of isolation locked into, “Deep Work,” – whether it be a study room or the weight room – I find it especially important to take a step back and appreciate a more zoomed-out perspective. Although their illustrious graffiti and calming darkness can present addictive adventure, if experienced indefinitely and without contrast, tunnels can as easily serve as obscurities.
“One, ‘awww shit,’ can mess up a thousand, ‘atta boys’ and ‘atta girls’”
“Success isn’t owned, it’s leased, and rent is due every day.” - J.J. Watt (I know, I’m describing a quote with another quote, but it fit too well not to use.)
It doesn’t matter how many organic chemistry A’s you collect, how many points you rack up on your ACFT, or what a nice gentleman/lady your mom’s friends think you are turning out to be, one poor decision while you’re out on the town can erase it all – it doesn’t matter who you are or who you think you are, you have to do the right thing every day.
Everything you have is a privilege, not a right, so act accordingly if you want to keep it.
“Deep down, everybody is a piece of shit. The difference is where each of our breaking points lies.”
Don’t play yourself, take an honest look in the mirror before you judge somebody else for their mistakes and wrongdoings.
Train hard and test yourself on the daily, so you don’t wind up as the, “buddy-fucker,” who cracks on Day 3 in the field and decides to munch on their First Strike bar and lemon poppyseed poundcake while they’re supposed to be pulling security.
Don’t be complacent, don’t be comfortable, and don’t be satisfied because you don’t know what’s around the corner – you don’t know what challenge you will soon face, but you and your breaking point best be prepared for it.
“Wolfpack!”
Commit to something bigger than yourself.
When you’re walking across the gym floor at 0500 running on only a few hours of sleep and dreading the 6-mile ruck march that is to follow, remember that half of the heads in the room are in the same boat, pick up your little wolf hand-sign, and help them row.
From sports to ROTC and even pre-Channukah Palooza latke frying efforts, I have always found myself most driven when working as a part of a team. This quote – the UConn ROTC motto – serves as my reminder to surround myself with a pack I’m proud to fight for and grow with.
Extras
The following are a couple of my favorite general military sayings that I encountered and learned from often in the past few years.
“Two is one, one is none.”
Always have a backup plan – don’t forget spare batteries for your headlamp.
“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”
Composure and calm are the keys to performing in stressful times – don’t fumble the bowline.
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