It’s been a LONG day, and an even longer week. As I previously mentioned briefly, there are several voluntary clubs within AFROTC that cadets can elect to train for−the most popular being Arnold Air Society and Honor Guard. This semester four cadets, including myself, are training for Honor Guard, a group trained in drill and ceremony who also pride themselves on exceptionally high standards of appearance and conduct. I was warned by my flight commander that it would be one of the hardest things I would ever do…only to find out that night that he would be my lead trainer for Honor Guard. I’d be lying to you if I said it was fun, and for lack of better words, they are no joke. What I am finding most difficult is keeping my bearing which means keeping a restrained demeanor. My natural reaction after making mistakes is to laugh at myself and I’ve learned quickly that it is unacceptable. To say that our three trainers are stern and overwhelmingly intimidating is an understatement, and although I know they have to be tough in order for us to learn, it’s hard to think in this logic when I are frustrated and constantly making mistakes. You are thrown into this new situation, responsible for knowing information you do not have access to, and must quickly adapt to the high expectations your trainers have for you. You may have seen me today in English, which happens to fall between my AIR class and Leadership Lab, and I was a mess−very distracted and anxious. This was mostly because, as an Honor Guard Trainee, I have to address all members of POC (which I should already be doing) as well as Honor Guard members. Sound easy enough? Well it’s not easy when you do not know half the POC by name, nor do you know who is in Honor Guard apart from when they are in service dress. There was one upside to such a long day leading up to Morally In the Valley−Seeing my Lead Trainer and Flight Commander wear the most god-awful dress I’ve ever seen, on stage, while whipping his blonde and purple wig back and forth to Willow Smith.
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