11 weeks to OCS…

So I panicked last night because two of my good friends that were in my BDCP program just drove up to OTC Newport yesterday to report to OCS tomorrow morning. I realize I’m not so worried about the day to day grind, or any of that – I’m worried about the intro stuff – driving there, where to park my car, what to do when I get there, what happens if I get lost. That’s my big fear: what happens if I get lost. I talked to Tara on the phone for about an hour last night about it, to see if maybe she and Troy want to come up with me. It makes me feel like a child to ask, and I know I can do it myself, but I am worried, and that would alleviate a lot of fear. I got to speak with a future housemate as well about it [she went to the Citadel and she’s currently working at the Nuke school] and she envies me being in my situation. I’ve never really thought of it like that – that it’s envious to be able to be an Officer. I guess I’ve forgotten that, how much pride and honor will go along with graduating from one of the most difficult accession/entrance programs into the U.S. Military. I need to just keep my head square and realize whether or not I’m scared, it’s gonna happen, and I need to be ready. So the best way to deal with fear is overpreparedness!

–A

Day 02 of the Shoes…

So the training ‘plan’ for the shoes was 0.25-1 mile every other day for a month. Leave it up to me to ‘modify’ that haha. Yesterday I went spinning for 20 minutes, did the elliptical for 20 minutes [both in an attempt to curb my desire to run but still get my cardio done in a non-impact way], had a GREAT upper body lift, and then did an ab workout in the evening. But I still wanted to run. It was too hot out to go for a long time – 98 degrees at 8:30 at night – so I decided I’d use the Vibram shoes for a half mile. I did, stretched out, then did another mile in regular shoes. It went pretty well and I’m still really sore from it, but I just had to. I’m getting addicted to running – which I think is a good thing!

I also made a week by week chart of what I’m going to do, what days. On STR, I have my longer runs, and MWF I have sprint and fast-paced drills/running barefoot drills. Saturday’s always my day off, like usual, and on STR I do Ab workouts, Lifting, and the elliptical [or swimming], and MWF, I do pushup workouts and spinning. So it’s what I’ve been doing the last four weeks, it’s just a little more organized so I can’t slack on something or don’t forget anything. I have roughly 11.5 weeks left before OCS – which is crazy to think about for me  and I’m definitely getting nervous – but this will get me in shape for it for sure.

Today I have another mile of running with the Vibram shoes, a pushup workout, and spinning. I’m gonna shoot for spinning for 45 minutes today, which should equal out to about 11 or 12 miles if I did my math correctly. Should be a good time!

–A

A week later…

Well it’s been a week, and I realize that the 14 Leadership Traits are something I don’t know how to apply to my life quite yet, or how my current applications will affect their applications to my Naval Officer Training. Thus, I want to go into OCS with carte blanche instead of any ideas of how I think they should be applied.

I received that pair of Vibram FiveFingers [barefoot running shoes] in the mail yesterday and I took them for a run last night. On the website they emphasize only running 10% of what you normally run for the first 2 weeks…I thought they were joking. I run approx. 20 miles a week give or take, so I decided I’d only run a mile last night to humor them. Well, thank God I only did. During the run I felt completely awesome – it was almost euphoric. My footstrike was completely changed and I felt like a much stronger runner. Then afterwards, my calves and feet were killing me! I have a few blisters. I’m so excited; I haven’t gotten sore from running in a long time. Tonight, I’m going to run with regular shoes for 3-4 miles, since you’re only supposed to wear the Vibram shoes every other day at maximum for a month.

I’ve also stepped up my pushups/situps workouts, and modified the various p90X drills in Core Synergistics/Ab Ripper X/Chest and Back to tailor make what I need to be doing to strengthen my arms. I still intend to lift MWF, but I’m hoping this will give me an edge. I don’t just want muscles; I need to be pushup ready for beat downs and such. I want to max out my first PFA during Indoc week for certain.

Overall, going home this past weekend was good for me. I went out with my cousin and my aunt on Friday night and I realized something: I need to stop drinking. So for the next two weeks at least I’m going to be completely sober and see how that affects my performance. Not just sober in the alcohol-related sense; I’m backing off my caffeine and such as well. Less toxins, more water ❤

–A

Initiative

4. Initiative Taking action in the absence of orders.

I think out of all the traits listed that Navy Officers should have, this is by far the most important. All other qualities are based in initiative – you can always do the bare minimum if you want to, but it won’t get you, or your crew, anywhere good. I think I’m pretty good at taking initiative and being on top of things, challenging myself, and pushing myself to new horizons. The thing I’ll need to work on is making sure to keep a clear vision of what I need to do, how best to serve my crew and my chain of command, and how to better the future of the Navy in some small way.

I’ve been reading this book called “It’s Your Ship” by Captain Abrashoff of the USS Benfold, and it’s an absolutely amazing book. I’m about two chapters in, and the book is a pretty logical way to rethink of leadership – not as something you’re given upon your commissioning, but as something you must earn through your crew. I decided I’m going to try to take more initiative in my everyday life. Today, that included just cleaning the kitchen and bathroom instead of waiting for others to do it for their turn [as we have a turn-based system in my house of 3 roommates], and sending an email to my Chief giving him this book as a suggestion for other collegiates to read in their spare time before reporting to OCS as well.

–A

Decisiveness

3. Decisiveness Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear, forceful manner.

I went home for the weekend so I didn’t have enough time to think about this on my own in order to make a post. I’ve always been able to make decisions well in a pinch or a bind, but everyone has issues executing things in a swift manner that remains unbiased. I need to start telling people how I feel when I feel that way if it will affect the way things occur.

–A

Justice

2. Justice Giving reward and punishment according to merits of the case in question; the ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.

 

I suppose I’ve never been in charge of anything major to need to facilitate a system of rewards and punishments, where my authority was the last one someone answered to. Though I’ve had management positions in projects, jobs, etc., there’s always been someone that I answer to immediately that held that kind of power. So what I need to work on with this one will be judging the system of rewards and punishments… and doing so impartially and consistently. It doesn’t even sound easy!!

–A

Judgment

1. Judgment The ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.

 

I find myself a pretty logical person, definitely to a fault. I am able to look at all aspects of a situation before analyzing it and deciding on a solution or outcome. I think sometimes my judgment can be clouded, like anyone’s could, by my personal interplay with the situation. I guess it’s normal for us to fend for ourselves – though I do not consider myself a selfish person in the slightest and I’ve never had a habit, even in the work setting, of putting my own success before the equality and environment of other’s.

So for this one, I need to work on making sure to look three steps ahead at what consequences my decisions will make, especially when making them for 1000+ sailors in the near future!

–A

14 Leadership Traits

So I remade my gouge notecards with all the memorization stuff for OCS today, and I’ve decided that everyday for the next two weeks I’m going to take one of the Leadership Traits and reflect on them, and blog post [if I have time] on what I think I need to work on for that particular trait.

 

1. Judgment The ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.

2. Justice Giving reward and punishment according to merits of the case in question; the ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.

3. Decisiveness Ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear, forceful manner.

4. Initiative Taking action in the absence of orders.

5. Dependability The certainty of proper performance of duty.

6. Tact The ability to deal with others without creating offense.

7. Integrity Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes the qualities of truthfulness and honesty.

8. Endurance The mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress and hardship.

9. Bearing Creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance and personal conduct at all times.

10. Unselfishness Avoidance of providing for one’s own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.

11. Courage The mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a man to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.

12. Knowledge Understanding of a science or an art. The range of one’s information, including professional knowledge and an understanding of your Sailors.

13. Loyalty The quality of faithfulness to country, the Navy, the unit, to one’s seniors, subordinates and peers.

14. Enthusiasm The display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.

–A

Getting into the swing of things…

So I’ve been running, lifting, spinning, swimming, and everything 6 days a week for about two weeks now. My stamina is going up, and my goal has been to do 60 minutes of cardio everyday and then 60-90 minutes of swimming Monday-Friday. So far it’s been going well – I haven’t lost any weight but my run times are dropping so that’s good at least. I’ve been alternating distance runs with sprint sets; it’s kind of hard to do on a treadmill and running outside and trying to do sprints in 90+ weather is just awful. But what’s gotta be done, has to be done!!!

Life has been pretty boring as of late and I’ve had a lot of time on my hands, but it’s going well and I honestly have nothing to complain about. I’ve slowly been meeting people down here, and even though it’s quite a *slow* process, it’s been going alright. I know by the time I leave for OCS, I’ll be ready to leave on all fronts for sure.

–A

Happy Memorial Day!!!

I’ve graduated college and am down in Charleston, SC!!!!

The next four months will most certainly test my resolve. My primary objective is getting in the best shape of my life for OCS, both mentally and physically. So far, in the past week I’ve lost two pounds and I’ve ran more than I did in the last three weeks combined [the last few weeks at college were really stressful with my theses, finals, graduation, and moving plans]. I have a membership to the Community Center and the YMCA down here – so I have no excuses not to work out. I’ve joined a swimming league, and that’s four days a week – so approximately 8000+ yards swimming per week, and I intend to run at least 2-3 miles 5 days per week. Combined with yoga to clear my mind and center me, I think it’s gonna be a good summer – though getting down here was quite the challenge!

I have been thinking a lot about where my life is going, what I’ve been doing with it, and what I really want out of everything right now. Though I don’t have a lot of answers I’ve been trying to spend more time meditating on what I really want – what I need, what makes me tick, and what’s going to be best for me in every way. I’ve come to a lot of crossroads with certain aspects of my life, and that coupled with my recent detachment to what I called “home” for the last four years, has sent me on a roller coaster ride. But it’s all for the better – that which doesn’t kill us, will make us both stronger and wiser to face a new day.

Hoorah!
–A