I think the transition from CCBC to the University of Baltimore would be a challenge, but successful. Since 46% of the student body focuses on Business degrees, and the school offers several academic support options, including; Accelerated program, Learning center, Study Skills Assistance, Honors Program, Tutoring and especially Veteran's Assistance to ensure that students are provided every opportunity to succeed as a part of their School of Business. Being a full-time employee and having to focus on night and weekend classes, finding a group of students that are in a situation similar to mine wouldn't be that difficult.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Short Response 3
Rites of passage are best defines as a ritual event that marks a person's progress from one status to another. A coming of age. Marriage. Death. Puberty. All considered rites of passage that include ceremonies, events that include three stages. Separation, transition and incorporation. These stages consist of a change in patterns of interaction between the individual and other members of society. Seeing as how this is my first real college experience, I will be telling you about my Army experience today.
This is my tale of my initiation into the Order of the Spur. I joined the Army straight out of high school. I was 17 years old, which that in itself was a rite of passage that met all 3 stages, but I will be focusing on the transitioning stage. In order to obtain your spurs, as a Cavalry trooper, you must be nominated by a current spur holder. I was fortunate enough to have had my former First Sergeant nominate me, since I was his driver/gunner. 1SG Hickey was a man's man. He smoked Marlboro reds, drank Budweiser, drove a high school hero Camaro and didn't need to impress anyone, because EVERYONE wanted to be like him. He wore his stetson and spurs whenever he wanted.
The act of earning your spurs is, in fact, the most difficult thing I've ever had to do in my life. It was basically a 48 hour hazing ritual. You went without sleep, without food, without fresh clothing and without showering, all while hauling around an 80lb. rucksack, Kevlar helmet and vest and your issued M-4 carbine assault rifle. We marched in groups to different stations that were all military based. Evacuate a casualty, personal camouflage, employ a claymore mine, issue a SALUTE report, employ chemical detection, land navigation and recite "Fiddler's Green". "Fiddler's Green", also known as the Cavalrymen's Poem, is the place where all "dead troopers camp, near a good old time canteen." Your group must complete each task at each station in order to move onto the next station. The rest of you are "dealt with" until all members of the group have completed each task. This group of men I rode with, we all became friends, we shared a common bond. Years later, I ran into one of those guys in Iraq. He was with a different unit and we hadn't seen each other in about 9 months, but we shared a nod and went about our business.
The act of earning your spurs is, in fact, the most difficult thing I've ever had to do in my life. It was basically a 48 hour hazing ritual. You went without sleep, without food, without fresh clothing and without showering, all while hauling around an 80lb. rucksack, Kevlar helmet and vest and your issued M-4 carbine assault rifle. We marched in groups to different stations that were all military based. Evacuate a casualty, personal camouflage, employ a claymore mine, issue a SALUTE report, employ chemical detection, land navigation and recite "Fiddler's Green". "Fiddler's Green", also known as the Cavalrymen's Poem, is the place where all "dead troopers camp, near a good old time canteen." Your group must complete each task at each station in order to move onto the next station. The rest of you are "dealt with" until all members of the group have completed each task. This group of men I rode with, we all became friends, we shared a common bond. Years later, I ran into one of those guys in Iraq. He was with a different unit and we hadn't seen each other in about 9 months, but we shared a nod and went about our business.
After the Spur Ride, you are given your spurs by your mentor. It is explained to you what the spurs mean and stand for, the importance of why this event takes place, the men & women that earned theirs before you and the Cavalry troopers that took theirs with them to "Fiddler's Green". After that, I found myself standing a little taller in formation, marching a little straighter, calling out cadence a little louder. I made sure that I was more helpful to younger, newer troopers in the unit. Helping them with everyday workloads and assisting them in learning the details of our profession that count. I incorporated a leadership role, as my mentor had done for me, after obtaining my spurs. Something that I am, and always will be, proud of, something I can pass on to my sons or daughters. That event changed my life and helped mold me into the man I am today. I incorporate that feeling I got after earning my spurs into my everyday life, whether at work, school or out with friends and family. Even though we went through all 3 stages, being able to continually incorporate it, I feel, is the most important.
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