I know it has been quite a while since my last entry but I figured this would be an appropriate time to begin writing again as the opening weekend for college baseball is less than 2 months out. As the first semester is coming to an end, I look back and reflect on all the positive things that have happened. It really is amazing how quickly the semester has flown by.
This entry will be pretty to specific to West Point and the experiences and major events that have occurred here for us cadets. Our baseball team finished our fall ball practice circuit and transitioned into the strength and conditioning phase in late October where we worked in the weight room three times a week and conditioned the other two days. While this was occurring, we were able to conduct skill-specific individual time with the coaching staff.
Off the baseball field, our seniors had reached some big West Point milestones. Just before Thanksgiving, my classmates and I discovered our specific branch that we will be serving in after we graduate in May of 2015. Our service time in the Army includes a minimum of 5 years on the active duty and 3 years in the reserve status. The outcome of branching resulted in every senior getting slotted to serve in a combat arms branch. Outfielder Mark McCants and pitcher Alex Robinett both branched Field Artillery. A field artillery officer in the Army leads the field artillery branch, who neutralizes the enemy by cannon, rocket and missile fire. Player-coach Taylor Goucher, infielder Harold Earls, pitcher Brian Hapeman, and I all branched Infantry. An infantry officer in the Army is responsible for leading the infantry and combined forces during land combat. They coordinate the employment of Infantry Soldiers at all levels of command in the U.S. and multinational operations. I am very proud of each of my teammates for their selections and call to duty. We all realize that baseball will end someday for us and that our service to the nation is going to be our immediate profession as an officer in the United States Army. With branching behind us and many answers solved, we can now put our focus on preparing for February 1st and our first game against Xavier.
This past weekend was the 115th Army-Navy game hosted in Baltimore, Maryland. Although the outcome was not desirable, it was a fantastic experience as the rivalry is second to none. Our guys on the football team fought hard through and through and we as their classmates couldn’t feel prouder. That game represents so much more than a typical Saturday football game. Each school is representing more than their school as they stand for all those who have served and our currently serving in our nation’s military. Just being at the game gave me chills. Right from the beginning when over 71,000 fans cheered the opening fly-over of four Army AH-64 Apache helicopters followed by four Navy fighter jets, I realized this was more than a game. The pregame festivities included ESPN Gameday and the historic march on of the West Point Corps of Cadets and the Navy’s Brigade of Midshipmen. It was a one of a kind experience and could not be more humbled to be a part of it all. I also want to give a shoutout to our Men’s basketball team at Army who are off to a 7-2 start and just defeated USC in overtime out in California last weekend!
I hope all of you have a safe holiday season and enjoy the time off with friends and family. Baseball season is right around the corner and I am looking forward to bringing you along for the ride.
-AJ
“It is fatal to enter a war without the will to win it.”
-General Douglas MacArthur
