A message for all my followers
Now for something a little different. The first portion is tailored specifically to each class. However the most important message is the second half, and if that's all you read, I'll appreciate it.
1/C, you're about to graduate and lead men and women in the armed forces or pursue your goals in the civilian field. The fate of soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen will be in your hands, and the performance, professionalism, and product of a company will be yours to influence. I wish you all the best, and I appreciate those of you who have held a positive impact on me, regardless of whether it was just this year since matriculation. Especially all of you who yelled my name as I lead my first “eyes right” during today’s parade. You’re all jerks; I love ya.
My BR's and fellow 2nds, today many of us took charge of platoons, companies, battalions, and one even took command of the corps for the first time during parade; I marched a platoon for the first time myself today. In a few short months, the rest of us will have Rats and we will be mentors and help mold OUR Rats and influence them, and indirectly, the future of the corps.
I hope that we can be a positive impact, and regardless of your perspective of the institute or corps, help our Rats be the best they can be in whatever they endeavor to do. This is a responsibility I only now am starting to understand the gravity of. My Dyke, Uncle Dykes, and their opinions and attitudes had considerable sway on me and how I viewed the school and the system. I can only imagine how I would have turned out if they were bitter or hostile to our traditions and institutions.
3rds, many of you will be senior company NCO's as cadre, or serve as Platoon Sergeants or Guide Sergeants. Many of you will be unsatisfied with the positions you got. But it's NOT the position you received, it is WHAT YOU DO. Those who are cadre, do your best to create the best future 4th class you can. Those who are not, do the best to lead the old corps. If you treat your peers and fellow cadets with respect, you can go far. Those without rank still have opportunities to influence your peers. More on that later.
4ths, congratulations. You have become part of the VMI family. Academics will most likely change for you. While my GPA was its worst during Rat Year because I couldn't stand the Gen Ed classes, 3rd class year was by far the most academically challenging. It was a difficult transition and had to stay up past 0130 all but five times second semester. But if you keep at it you will figure it out. For the corporals, do your best to earn your stripes. Although I felt I was being given a consolatory prize when I became and Old Corps corporal, I quickly found out how much more challenging it is to lead the Old Corps than Rats. You're responsible for keeping the corps looking sharp. Your squad will look as bad as you permit. The class & corps system aren't the most compatible but learning to navigate it will empower you to lead in the future.
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If you only read part of this post, read the following:
Now I know I'm still a student at the "I" and there are many who have done much more than I (Looking at you, Alumnus), but here's something I learned from drawing these comics:
"You don't have to be the best, all you have to be is willing."
I am in no way, shape, or form the best artist at the Institute. Not by a long shot. And I was made aware of this by the competition I held and through many of you who were kind enough to compliment me and ask to show me your work. It surprised me that this page and my drawings got ANY attention at all and I am continually BLOWN AWAY by how much you wonderful folks have liked, and dare I say, some have even loved my work.
But I realized it's because I was simply the one who shared it with other people online.
How many other opportunities have I surrendered by only not taking a chance? I know there are people out there better than me, and I allowed my myself to self-select out of opportunities because of that. But here's the secret: everyone is nervous and afraid of failure.
Their fear is your advantage.
Take a risk, take the shot, and go for it.
Thank you all for following and especially thank you to those who have complimented me. All you said was a sentence, and many of them were simply three words: "I'm a fan." But I want you to know it meant the world.
Finally, many of you (and I begrudgingly admit, at one point included myself) are upset about not being cadre, holding rank, or obtaining a particular position within the corps. I remember I had one corporal my Rat year who didn't apply for rank his 2nd class year. I was surprised. He was a phenomenal corporal who both helped mold me into a cadet and pushed me to challenge myself. I asked him why not and he said, nonchalantly, the following:
"I don't need rank to be powerful."
He wasn't bitter or facetious, but genuine. This has stayed with me ever since I heard it and is the reason I said: "It's not the position you received, it's what you do."
Never underestimate the power of a kind word to somebody during times of stress. You don’t need to hold rank or a position to be an agent of positive change for someone.
Now back to my last drawing before graduation.
VR,
KL.