I started basic training on a Thursday near the end of June, so the summer after my senior year was just a couple of weeks long. Going to the Air Force Academy was my dream, so I was okay with it, but to be honest, it sucked knowing all my friends were still home, having fun together and enjoying their summer. I obviously missed my family like crazy and the first few days were the worst days of my life. I felt alone and forgotten.
Day 1 and day 2, I was scared out of my mind. Everyone was yelling at me and I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. I fought back tears and thoughts of quitting as best I could, but all I wanted to do was go home with my family. I didn’t know any of my classmates yet and I felt like I had nowhere to turn.
Friday night, I had the option to stay in my room and write letters, or go to mass at the chapel. It was a tough decision because all I wanted to do was write to my mom, but I ended up deciding to go to mass. As soon as we finished dinner, we had to run all the way to the chapel in a single file line that was lined by cadre (upperclassmen who were there to lead and train us) screaming at us to move faster. I instantly regretted my decision, but I couldn’t turn around. Once we made it outside the academy gates, though, we were allowed to be “at rest,” meaning we could relax and actually talk to the people around us, something I hadn’t been able to do yet. I was still pretty nervous though, given that I had just been yelled at nonstop for the last 48 hours. I walked up to the chapel doors and shook the priest’s hand and he said to me, “be at ease,” and all the tears I had held back, all the fears and doubts I had built up, came flooding out. I started sobbing and didn’t stop all the way through mass.
Few times in my life have I felt God’s presence as strongly as during that mass. Suddenly I knew I was going to be okay. I knew I could make it through the next 5½ weeks because God was going to be right there with me the whole time. I was reminded of how hard I worked to get here and why I chose to serve in the military. It was exactly what I need to press on. Despite all the hardship I had and would face, I knew if I stayed positive and trusted that God would help me through, I would be just fine.
After that first mass, I was truly filled with joy. I was so grateful for where I was and what I was doing that I was just bubbling over with happiness. I actually got in trouble for smiling. We got to go to mass every Friday and Sunday night. It was my motivation to get through the week and it was the highlight of my day every time. I’ve never been so excited to go to mass in my life. It helped me stay positive throughout basic training and because I was able to keep a good attitude, it wasn’t nearly as hard as it could have been.
One of the many things I never fully appreciated until I got to basic was praying before every meal. Before each meal, we were able to take a few seconds to relax our bodies and pray. It sounds ridiculous that those few seconds were so important, but it was one of the few times during the day we could move and look around freely. More importantly, we could relax our minds for a few seconds and talk to God. I always started by thanking God for something positive in my day, no matter how small it was. Then I simply asked God to keep me and all of my classmates strong through the rest of the day. The magnitude of the effect those little prayers had on my day was incredible. Those three short prayers turned into more and more little prayers throughout the day. They helped me stay focused on God and my reasons for doing all this.
I’ve heard many people say that basic was the worst thing they’ve ever been through, but the best thing that’s ever happened to them. I agree with them completely. I would never in a million years go through basic again, but I am so grateful that I did it because it changed me for the better. It helped me realize my dependence on God and how it strengthens my relationship with Him. It made me a more positive person. I find joy in the small things now and appreciate them so much more. I wouldn’t trade my experience in basic training for the world because it brought me closer to God in a place I never would have expected and I feel like my relationship with Him is stronger than ever.
“We Will Rise Again”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a0M1-8D8cg
The choir director at the Catholic chapel calls this “the basic song” and we sung it at almost every mass. It’s my favorite!
![Picture](/uploads/5/6/0/7/56072731/6524961.png?156)