It was everything I expected it to be. Yes, it was difficult. It was darn difficult, physically challenging. It's mentally challenging too because, I mean, you had to get yourself into the frame of mind that, yes, I can do this.
Because there's two things happening: one, I'm leaving home for the first time and; two, I'm starting my career in the military. So, that was a very big leap but because I had already seen the results in other people, I felt assured that because they achieved it, I could achieve it also.
And little by little it starts chipping away. You can do it. You begin to master it to the point that in your 5 minute drill you're done in 4 minutes. And, you're just, you're amazed.
I learned about patience. I learned about stamina. I learned about getting over your fears. I learned about being held to your word. Sucking it up when you have to. Courage, perseverance, not letting go of something. And, when you think you're at the end of your rope and you might as well give up on something, whatever it is, you still have just that little reserve of energy and resources inside you that, you know, now I know it's there and I didn't know that before.
