Recognition

Congratulations are in order for the Norwich class of 2010, who just recieved recognition as cadets tonight. Yes, there is some dispute over whether they deserve this honor as of yet or if they shoudl be forced to wait till a later date liek the last two years. It does not matter now, and there is no sense in debating something, which when really closely looked at is so trivial. In fact they may be more deserving than the upperclassman who failed to obey the simple orders of their regimental commander tonight. Because upperclassman chose to be loud and routy during the time they were supposed to be silent, it was difficult to hear the Regimetal Commanders speech. Such nonsense should not be tolerated and should be seen for what it really was.....outright disrespect for her.
All this aside I found myself standing there thinking as I watched the freshman walk in. It is events liek these that remind me of all the realities of being a Norwich cadet. Some I wish i did not know and others I would never change. I think every person there at one point thought about there freshman recognition. I know that i thought of mine on several occasion. I thought of all the things that have happened since then. I thought of my rook buddies, who it is hard to believe I have been with for goign on 3 years. I have sometimes questioned he savability of this fine institution. Can it ever return to what it once was? I honestly don't know the answer. I have found myself frustrated almost every week with some policy from the administrators of this college. Things that seem to me to be pontless and stupid. At times I have wondered at things liek this policy which seem to at the very least say that the school isonly concerend with retention based on the fact that to lose a student means to lose more money. I have seen hypocrisy and micromanagement, and often I have seen a dwon right distrust of students who have been asked to lead the Corp of Cadets. I have seen countless civilians, and wondered why they have chosen to come here. I have been angered, that some can not dress properly and have at the very least a clean looking appearance and that some just have a downright disrespect and lack of appreciation for the history of this institution. I saw someone wearing an outfit today that I woudlnt even bother puttingon at halloween. Even if I was by myself and no one could see me, I think I would still refuse to wear it.
In allthis bad, I remembered, that I felt and often still feel great pride in that fact that I have earned the right to be called a cadet. I have seen the true traditions of Norwich live on, some even when others tried to kill them. I think that this institution has the power and energy to do great things, that there is still asense of pride in having gone to the Oldest Private Military College. I have to believe that, or I could nto bear to stay here. The school may be changing, snd with that comes both good and bad, however the spirit of pride and honor must never die. That is what will save this school, or should I say save the Corp of Cadets. I still think there is hope. I hoep we will not turn into what some have termed "cadillians," or civilians in uniforms. I hope that the training of the Corp will grow stronger, maybe the class of 2010, will be successful where in many ways we have failed. Maybe they can have an important role in returning us to a full military status with real militayr training and solid tradotions. It is where many of us want to go, but at times there seems to be road blocks around every corner. You still have a long ways to go, but think ahead and never stop trying!