A letter to my cousin on entering the military

Part 2 of 2

The first part ran in the Jan. 14 issue of The Lakeville Journal, and can be found at www.tricornernews.com. It was shared by Lee Crawford of Lakeville, who is the aunt of Colin and Alec.

Alec, 

The first couple of weeks are hard. You miss home. You have absolutely no privacy. You’re dealing with some kids that you have serious concerns about ever serving overseas with. You feel as if you haven’t slept a day in your life. Waking up at 0530 is now sleeping in. You’re tired, hungry, dirty (that may just be the Army), constantly being tested, and overall fed up with the consistent amount of bullshit that gets thrown your way on a day-to-day basis. 

As time goes by and another day gets marked off on the calendar, you will eventually start to fall in. You begin to pick up on the little things that can make your life easier, like how to eat like a vacuum, how to avoid getting smoked by Drill Sergeants, how sweet of a novelty chocolate milk can be, how being in the right place at the right time and in the right uniform can save you a whole lot of trouble, and how sometimes keeping your mouth shut is the best policy. 

This is only the beginning for you. Boot camp is just a brief chapter in the novel of your military career. There are still many of places to go, people to meet, and important work to be done. One day when this is all over, and yes, it will actually end, you’ll look back and laugh. You will think of the person you were before and realize how much the military has made you grow as an individual. It took me roughly two years to become an officer. This last year was split between being at U.S. Army Engineer School in Fort Leonard Wood and then finally taking command of a platoon at my unit. As you can see, I’m still pretty fresh, and I’m continuing to learn something new every day. If I can offer you any advice to take with you throughout camp and even your military career it’ll be this…never effing quit. Opportunities will arise to go off and do great things. Take advantage of those opportunities. No matter how bad they may sound at times, dive in head-first with a positive mindset and give it your all. 

You will only benefit and become stronger in the end. You’re beginning to learn how important leadership is in the military. It doesn’t matter where you fall on the chain of command. Leadership is exerted at every level. Be a man of action. Lead with your actions then complement those actions with your words. Speak words of encouragement and of togetherness. Build your comrades up and never leave them behind. Be a sponge. Find a mentor and learn as much as you can from them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Seek knowledge. Get better every damn day. Lastly, don’t forget to HAVE FUN! No one likes that gloomy Gus over in the corner feeling sorry for himself all the time. Have a positive mindset. Embrace the suck and make light of situations. Tell a joke. Crack a smile. Hell, horseplay a little (only when the Drill Instructors aren’t looking). This is still your life. Make it an enjoyable one. 

I hope this letter gives you some motivation and perspective. I want to reiterate how proud we all truly are of you. You’re out there. You’re doing it. Keep training hard and continue to conquer every task that gets thrown your way. You have all our support. 

In closing, I wanted to show you a picture I took at my graduation from Engineer School. It was at memorial site called Sapper Grove in the middle of Fort Leonard Wood. It commemorated all the U.S. Army Engineers KIA during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. There is truly no other humbling experience I have ever had than looking unto the marble walls reading the names of the dead. Below the memorial there was a quote that stuck with me and I hope it offers you some inspiration and remembrance of the brave souls who came before you. 

“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.” Thucydides 

By signing that contract you are living these words. Honor the sacrifices of those before you. Hold yourself to that high standard of an American fighting man. Do this country proud, Alec. I know you will. 

Much Love and Respect, 

2LT Colin Crawford

Colin Crawford lives in Texas and is a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.