Still Hoping

They tried to prepare us, they really did. Quickly, and with no pleasure, the Advanced Camp Cadre informed us that we would be awake at 0200 and ready to leave at 0230. As one, we cadets held in our breath, eye rolls, and complaints. After our emotionally crippling brief we trudged up three flights of stairs and packed a 35 pound backpack in preparation for a 12 mile ruck march. Many of us debated breaking a bone or drowning in the shower, but we all showed up anyway. Without suffering through the ruck march we wouldn't graduate and become lieutenants. So we waited and endured for four years in the hopes that it would all be worth it. Honestly, we're still waiting and hoping for anything better than what we have.