Jamestown Reflection - Student Choice (Adam Stillabower)

     A few weeks ago, as a part of our ROTC commissioning requirement, needed to do a 12-mile ruck march under 35 pounds in under 4 hours. As a part of leadership, we planned this event to take place on Jamestown island, just a short drive from campus. The view was amazing, at certain points we were able to see the river and the old colonial sailboats sitting right off the coast. Luckily, it was a beautiful day as well, a slight overcast and temperatures staying in the mid-’70s all day. It was an individual ruck this time around, compared to the one I mentioned I completed at basic training which we had to do in a staggered formation. I am truly an introverted person and I completed the majority of the march alone, infrequently catching up to and passing some of my peers in which I talked to them for long stretches. But most of the strenuous exercise I did a lot of reflecting. This was the last significant event that we seniors had to complete in order to commission as officers in the United States Army in the Spring. It is crazy to think that in 5~6 short months, I will no longer be a cadet or lower enlisted soldier. I will be an officer, responsible for those placed under my command. That is honestly a scary feeling. But I keep thinking back to the Stairway to Heaven and how that was the perfect metaphor for life. It's an uphill climb, but the end is near, and it is all about the friends and connections you make along the way.