Recognition Day At The Citadel: A Thank You To My Classmates | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Recognition Day At The Citadel: A Thank You To My Classmates

From a Knob to his classmates, who helped him through this year.

78
Recognition Day At The Citadel: A Thank You To My Classmates
Colby Harker

When I first matriculated this fall, on August 15, 2015, I never would have imagined exactly what was waiting for me. It was a challenge that seemed so long, and yet so short all at the same time. It was a task which seemed insurmountable at first, and yet, now I smile and realize I made it. It's a weird sense of accomplishment to have. But I know I owe it to my classmates who helped get me here.

From the time we matriculated, there were 239 days before we were recognized. And in those 239 days, I have learned and grown. I may not have been spoiled, but I certainly took things for granted. 239 days taught me to cherish what I have, because I can always be in a worse situation. It taught me to lean on my friends, especially here, because through these days I have made 29 friendships that will last a lifetime. It has taught me that regardless of my skill, my smarts and my power, I cannot do everything on my own. I must lean on my friends and my classmates, because only together can we make it through. And all of these things can be found in one day, on April 9, 2016, exactly 239 days after I matriculated.

It may seem like an ordinary Saturday to most, and for most college students, by the time they got up for the day, my day had already started and changed. For 239 days I have braced, and popped off, and walked a regulated pace of 120 paces (and admittedly a bit more if I was feeling motivated that day), whenever outside my battalion. I have obeyed the rules and regulations set for me, but on April 9, that changed. On that day, Recognition Day, my classmates and I were put through the rigorous Gauntlet, a graduation of sorts from our knob year, into being simple freshmen.

We did not do this alone: our upperclassmen, our leaders and guidance, helping us along the way. I challenge you to find one picture on that day where there is not a single upperclassman in the picture. I will tell you now you cannot find it. The Class of 2019 survived the Gauntlet, and I will happily tell you that was the proudest moment of my life. On that day we cried, we laughed and we poured our blood, sweat and tears into those final moments of being a knob. Because in that moment we are together, regardless of if you were a "good knob" or not, regardless of if you have disagreements with your classmates. In those hours before our recognition, we gave our all, because we had each other. More than that, however, we had our upperclassmen encouraging us, helping us up, participating in every exercise, every station. They were the ones who made sure we got through this day.

And to finish it, the Class of 2019 did one Victory Lap around campus, before returning to their battalions. What I remember as most important is not the field, though I will treasure that time with my classmates without a doubt; it is not the final run, or the push-ups at the end. It is crawling to the guidon, It is wrapping my hand around the base of that guidon, pulling myself across the quad, and knowing that all of my classmates, every single one, was by my side.

We may have been tired, we may have been sweaty and nasty, and I may or may not have had enough dirt in my pants to fill my boots (trust me, seal crawls are very good at doing that), but as I clenched my fingers around that polished wood, with heated hands and exhausted panting, I knew we were united, if only for a moment. I remember looking at one of my classmates, mashed under another, and smiling. And the only words we exchanged were, "We made it." And we both smiled, and I laughed.

239 days. A challenge that if you asked me to do again, I would. Without a moment's hesitation, I would. Give me my classmates, and my upperclassmen and I would go through that whole ordeal over and over again. Without fail, I would. The bonds that those days have forged between my classmates and I is one that has been tested, has been strained some days when tempers run high, but I know they are my true friends.

I have gained much in those 239 days. I have learned the value of honor, and the need for loyalty, discipline and to be ready to endure hardship, and suffer if need be. I have learned that whatever pain I feel today is the strength I will gain tomorrow. I have learned that no matter how difficult it seems, your classmates, your friends, your brothers and sisters—especially mine—will always be there to pull me through, and I them. I will never forget the struggles I experienced on April 9, 2016, but even more so, I will never forget the feeling of pride, and love I had for my classmates on that day either. On that day, I learned the true meaning of friendship, camaraderie and loyalty. Given the chance, I would take a bullet for those friends. And I wouldn't hesitate. That's the power of that day.

When I matriculated, I was a weird kid who made a handful of friends, and likely only three good ones that would stick with me in the bunch. Now, 239 days later, I have a total of 30, 29 being my classmates and one being my wonderful amazing girlfriend who supported me through it all. I may not be the strongest or the brightest of them all, but I know I have my classmates. And because of that, I have nothing to fear.

So thank you to those friends. Thank you for getting me through these 239 days that sucked so bad—some that I hated with all my guts—but would do again in a heartbeat as long as I had you guys to do it with. Thanks.

That is what knob year has brought me. Thirty friends, tried and true, who won't abandon me or sell me out. They are there for me. Every time it sucks, they're there. Good times and bad times. I know if I trip and fall, they'll be there to pull me up, regardless of how bad a fall it is.

So what has your freshman year gotten you?


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

185138
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11424
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455397
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25060
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments