Building My Foundation

Ask any Norwich graduate about their Rookdom experience and you will most likely hear stories about the long days, sleepless nights, and a constant scramble of trying to figure out what is next to come. My time as a Rook was no different, especially as a student-athlete.

I spent every day balancing two practices with the already overwhelming demands of being a Rook; information was scarce, and I often had to rely on roommates and teammates just to stay afloat. At times, I found myself completely out of the loop, stuck on the second floor while the majority of my platoon was in the basement, receiving direct guidance from cadre. My roommates and I were often told by the cadre to go downstairs at the last minute due to separation and miscommunication. It was disorienting, frustrating, and exhausting.

Yet, I was not alone. My teammates were a lifeline, filling in the gaps whenever I missed something, and my coach’s steady guidance provided reassurance when everything else felt uncertain. These support systems taught me that while Rookdom demands individual resilience, it is also about leaning on others. That foundation of trust and teamwork carried me through the chaos of my Rook year.

Now, only a year later, that chaos has transformed into structure, and I have grown into one of the people responsible for maintaining it. Rookdom forced me to manage my time and adapt under pressure. Skills that I, now, as a regimental S-3 plans corporal, rely on daily. My days are filled with back-to-back meetings, studying schedules, and ensuring every plan runs smoothly. Where I once scrambled for scraps of information, I am now one of the main sources that others depend on, prepared to answer questions, and keep operations moving forward smoothly.

Balancing the role of Rookdom with athletics has been one of the most significant challenges and successes of my time at Norwich. As a Rook, practices sometimes felt like another impossible demand piled onto an already overwhelming list of tasks. But the discipline forged during that time has become an asset. Today, I can shift from a demanding practice to a detailed planned meeting with confidence. Athletics is not a distraction from my duties; it compliments them, reinforcing discipline, mental toughness, and the importance of working within a team.

While I do not carry the same level of responsibility as my OICs (officer in charge) and NCOICs (non-commissioned officer in charge), I use every opportunity to learn more about the Corps and about myself. Leadership is not just about titles. It is about curiosity and growth. Whenever I can, I pull people aside, whether upperclassmen, staff members or peers, and ask them about their jobs, their responsibilities, and what those roles mean to them. Everyone brings a unique perspective, and by listening to their experiences, I find pieces of wisdom that I can apply to my own journey.

That same habit of curiosity carries into how I approach balance. Whenever I talk with others in leadership positions, I try to understand what keeps them steady in such demanding environments. People talk about strict organization, leaning on mentors, and about carving out time for rest and mental reset. I pay attention to these strategies because I want to build my own toolkit for balance. As a student-athlete and S-3 plans corporal, I know the demands will not get easier. But if I continue to listen, learn, and adapt, I can better position myself to handle those challenges without losing sight of who I am and what I want to achieve.

Rookdom tested me with chaos and uncertainty, but it also laid the groundwork for resilience, curiosity, and leadership. Today, I carry those lessons into every practice, every meeting, and every responsibility I take on. I am not just surviving anymore. I am building the habits and mindset that will sustain me long after my time at Norwich.