By Cadet David Elias
Everyone who comes to NMMI starts off as a new cadet. Everyone has to go through the same process, which will take some getting used to. Many people’s lives are flipped upside down when they first arrived at NMMI, but all of these changes are for the best. While it may be difficult to become accustomed to this new life style, everything is done for a reason and to better you. These tips will help your transition into NMMI run a little more smoothly.
- Listen to what the leadership tells you. Everything they tell you is for a reason. Everything you do at NMMI is for a reason. All of the seemingly unnecessary things they make you do as a RAT (Recruit At Training) and New Cadet have a very important purpose behind them. If you can figure this reason out on your own, or aren’t told by your leadership, ask.
- Don’t talk back. Again, if everything is done for a reason. Don’t be the person that “doesn’t like to be corrected”. Every correction is made not to waste your time, but to make sure that you are following the rules, doing what you are supposed to, and to make you a better cadet. Corrections help you out believe it or not.
- It is not hard to not get in trouble. There are very few things you have to do or worry about when you are a New Cadet. Your only responsibilities are to show up to formation, clean your room, be in the right uniform, listen to what you are told, be on time, and do your schoolwork. That’s it.
- It’s also easy to get in trouble. Do the right thing, even when no one is looking. If you’re doing something that you know is against the rules, you will get in trouble, simple as that. Conduct yourself like a young adult and follow the rules, and you’ll avoid any discipline.
