| Round 2General Lynch walked up to me. As I saluted him, he salutes me back and smiles. He then says, "Hello there Yang, WHEN IN CHARGE, TAKE CHARGE!"  I went to the Soldier of the Month Board. There was this guy there. I remember looking over to him. He stood alone, straight back, chin up, and geared up ready to win. He didn't even break a sweat. I was sure he was gonna win. Everyone talked about how smart the guy was. I was talking to the other contestants. All five of us were talking and quizzing each other prior to the board. I walked over to the guy who stood alone and started a conversation with him. He seemed confident and acted as if nothing was going on. I wished him luck and at the same time, I made my presence felt as I shook his hand firmly. His defense broke. He started to sweat and then he started to stretch his neck, side to side. I knew he was scared. The Soldier of the Month board is basically a military bearing test. It consists of a 250 page studyguide full of FM numbers, TM numbers, Multiple Creeds and numerous rules and regulations to memorize. Not only do you have to memory these long 4 paragraph Creeds word for word, you cannot studder infront of the Board Members. You enter with 3 confident loud knocks on the door. As you proceed in with full Battlefield-ready gear on, you start to sweat and you can't feel your legs. You begin by standing infront of the President of the Board to salute him. Now the fun begins for the board members. They give you marching commands and inspect your weapon and gear. After the inspection they sit you down at the position of attention and one by one they start to ask you questions from all the sections of the studyguide. They can also ask you any military-related questions expecting you to know them. I was told that this wasn't a test of knowledge, but a test of confidence. Of course I did not k now every answer but with the questions that I did know, I answered with precise confidence. I never doubted myself as they would ask me over and over, "Are you sure? Positive on that?" Now, with the questions that I did not know, I quickly thought about it then replied with a sharp, "Seargant Major, I do not know the answer at this time but I will find out the answer after the board, Seargent Major." Mid-way through the board I had realized how well I was doing. I started to relax my arms as I felt the blood start to flow again from my knees. I thought to myself, "This is my board, they cannot fade me. I know I can win this for sure now." I know missed two questions the whole time. The rest were in my pocket. As I was leaving I knew for sure that I had out-performed the rest of the guys because one of the First-Seargents nodded his head with satisfaction. I walked out and everyone asked me how I did. I sorta just grinned and said, "I did alright." and kept on walking. One of the guys then replied, I know you won cuz you don't even seem scared or nervous. "I'm sure we all did fine." was my reply. Then the my 1SG came out and said, "Yang COME HERE!" I walked and he shook my hand and said, "Good job, your the soldier of the month, well done." Staying up late, studying hard and sacraficing my down time, it all paid off. Staying focus even when no one pushed me to study was something that I did not have prior to the Military. I am ready. I am ready to move on. Foolish games and foolish waste of time. I realized how I spent my youth. It's not too late. It never is. "Better late then never." I've started to read more now. Reading everything that I can get my hands on. I enjoy Nesweek and Time Magazine. You can learn alot from those two sources. During my high-school years, I don't remember ever completing a whole book. Not once did I finish a whole story or read a whole chapter from my text-books. Everything that I've learned was from common sense and classroom teachings. I realize that the things that you don't get tested on are worth more because answers don't mean anything without explanation. "College, Bring it on!" |
