On 27th September 2018, I started my first day in Valley Forge Military Academy. I did not know what to expect. As a spoiled teen from Hong Kong, I got educated at local-school and then at boarding school in UK in very rigid systems. To attend a military school is probably the most challenging decision in my life.
New students had to go through the plebe system and had no communication with the outside world for the first month. The tac officer was in charge and assisted by 2 plebe trainers to conduct our intensive training. Two plebe brothers joined me at 5am on the race track. I did not expect to wake up that early. I felt very exhausted I think wake up at this time was very ridiculous. We were informed we had to stay with our plebe brothers and work as a team. If one of our plebe brothers couldn’t finish his push ups or other physical training, the other members had to finish the remaining ones for him. And we did run for another few extra laps, because one of our plebe brothers couldn’t finish on time plus I was very tired already I was became very angry.
In addition, learning to match one another’s capabilities was one of the most important part during plebe system. We connected, planned, and discussed the ways to improve ourselves and to complete the tasks. Even though we only had three people to make sure everyone to stay in sync was still very difficult. We did it outside in the parade field it was boiling at that time we were sweating I was quite depressed I was almost gave up on the task. If we didn’t complete this task we would have to do physical training and won’t pass the plebe system. We had to trust our plebe brothers to stay at the same steps and swing the same arms with your plebe brothers. And for every step we had to shouted “one, two!” We shouted very loud I almost lost my voice it was really ambitious to kept us moving forward. I personally think such a habit is a very good way to unite everyone in the group and to raise the morale of the group.
Most importantly, I went through the plebe system. The benefits I gained from the plebe systems was to learn how to work with others as a team. I understand that everyone has different ability so I should get angry of them when they are not able to finish the task. I also learned that teamwork is crucial, particularly in situations where mere individual efforts are inadequate to get the job done properly.
One of my plebe brother is also my roommate. It was his first time in America, he had limited English from Thailand, so I translated what we have been told. At study hall, I would help him with his homework. So I think this is what we call plebe brothers and it’s where leadership it’s been developed. I believe this is the whole point of this program. The system are try to encourage us to develop brotherhood between us to conquer the challenges together and to celebrates the happiness together, so I felt rewarding that I help him to get his prep done.