As the spring semester is in full swing, we are inching our way towards the worst time of the year: drill season. For those civilians reading this, I'm sure you have all seen pictures of us in our slick looking parade uniforms but I assure you that those thick, insulated jackets are actually meant to be torture devices. As much as we love and respect Gunny Abbott, when we get that first practice parade email, a tear or two may run down our cheeks. So with that thought in mind, here are a few of the not-so-glorious aspects regarding the Naval Academy's longest tradition:
1. There is always that one drop of sweat that slowly runs down the middle of your back
2. Having a bug land on your face and doing everything in your power not to flinch or smack yourself
3. (For the ladies) When your baby hairs catch the wind and end up tickling your face
4. The frustration of trying to count all of the cannons for the "special guest" but losing track
5. Trying to contain the fact that you have to pee uncontrollably but you know there's at least 45 minutes left in the parade
6. When Gunny says "let's run through it one more time Brigade, get it back!"
7. Trying to button up your neck collar and failing miserably because #gains
8. The satisfaction of ripping off your parade jacket when you get back to your room
9. Finding the one bayonet that actually fits your rifle
10. Knowing you're screwed when they schedule a parade on a day when it's 100 degrees (aka Color Parade)
11. Forgetting to change your leathers out for chloroframs
12. Falling asleep standing up to help pass the time
13. The slow realization at the end of the year that your right arm is definitely more muscular than your left
"The views expressed, [in this article] reflect personal opinions of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Naval Academy, the United States Navy, any federal agency, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”
