Full Transcript for "Something Beyond the Routine" with Riley Shultz, '24

and responsibilities? 38 00:02:06,693 --> 00:02:09,496 So a lot of that has to do with coordinating with Colonel Gray and Dr. 39 00:02:09,496 --> 00:02:14,267 Tucker about the mission of the group, as well as what we're moving towards 40 00:02:14,267 --> 00:02:17,036 and our agenda coordinating with the other officers 41 00:02:17,036 --> 00:02:20,673 about setting the agenda as well as moving the debate along. 42 00:02:20,740 --> 00:02:23,743 And in terms of the CSAB goal of the year. 43 00:02:23,810 --> 00:02:26,146 And then how do you determine, 44 00:02:26,146 --> 00:02:30,150 you're talking about getting to what is identifying a goal? 45 00:02:30,150 --> 00:02:30,884 Is that right? 46 00:02:30,884 --> 00:02:36,122 So usually the way it works is you kind of work with the diverse 47 00:02:36,122 --> 00:02:39,993 interests and backgrounds of everyone in the cadet superintendent advisory board 48 00:02:40,059 --> 00:02:41,794 based on what issues they see in the Corps. 49 00:02:41,794 --> 00:02:45,565 And then we narrow it down to a singular issue that we like to work to solve. 50 00:02:45,632 --> 00:02:48,835 And then we collect data on it and then work to solve the issue. 51 00:02:48,868 --> 00:02:51,504 So over the break, we're going to be finalizing a survey. 52 00:02:51,504 --> 00:02:55,141 It's going to be sent out to the Corps in the early part of next semester. 53 00:02:55,208 --> 00:02:58,678 And then we're going to be working on finding a solution. 54 00:02:58,678 --> 00:03:03,183 And our overall problem statement has to do with esprit de corps and pride 55 00:03:03,183 --> 00:03:08,655 in being in VMI and pride in your unit. 56 00:03:08,755 --> 00:03:09,689 Those themes or 57 00:03:09,689 --> 00:03:12,692 goals might change from year to year. 58 00:03:12,792 --> 00:03:14,794 How long have you been part of CSAB? 59 00:03:14,794 --> 00:03:16,663 So this is my second year on CSAB. 60 00:03:16,663 --> 00:03:21,401 So last year we worked with the goals of non-commissioned and cadets 61 00:03:21,401 --> 00:03:24,871 and how how much they were getting out of the non-commissioning lab. 62 00:03:24,871 --> 00:03:25,605 And what we found was 63 00:03:25,605 --> 00:03:28,875 that cadets weren’t really getting much out of the non-commissioning required lab. 64 00:03:28,975 --> 00:03:31,711 It was just more of a filler requirement they weren't getting much out of 65 00:03:31,711 --> 00:03:33,313 and they could actually get more out of, 66 00:03:33,313 --> 00:03:36,249 you know, having more free time to look for jobs and do job research. 67 00:03:36,249 --> 00:03:40,954 So we worked to get that requirement modified last year. 68 00:03:41,020 --> 00:03:43,156 And what was the modification? 69 00:03:43,156 --> 00:03:48,394 So seniors no longer have to take that non-comm lab. 70 00:03:48,461 --> 00:03:51,965 It's still required for for Second Classmen in a sense, because it does 71 00:03:51,965 --> 00:03:55,802 provide

a lot of really good advice and guidance 72 00:03:55,802 --> 00:03:59,572 in terms of making resumé, applying for jobs, applying for grad school. 73 00:03:59,606 --> 00:04:02,008 So it's necessary for that for that first year. 74 00:04:02,008 --> 00:04:04,477 But they found that they don't only need two years of it. 75 00:04:04,477 --> 00:04:06,479 Oh, I see. Well, very good. 76 00:04:06,479 --> 00:04:09,782 And how did you all come about selecting that as a problem? 77 00:04:10,016 --> 00:04:12,385 Well, let me back up for a second. 78 00:04:12,385 --> 00:04:15,188 What was the mission of CSAB? 79 00:04:15,188 --> 00:04:19,292 I think the mission of CSAB is to find leaders within the Corps 80 00:04:19,292 --> 00:04:21,995 that aren't necessarily the ones with the Chevrons or the 81 00:04:21,995 --> 00:04:23,963 are the ones that are really the class officers. 82 00:04:23,963 --> 00:04:27,000 But it's people that are greatly invested in the Corps 83 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:29,302 from a diversity of backgrounds and can come together 84 00:04:29,302 --> 00:04:32,672 with that diversity of backgrounds to present ideas and issues 85 00:04:32,672 --> 00:04:36,409 that they see that can make positive change at the Institute. 86 00:04:36,509 --> 00:04:40,647 So it's basically a group that's a problem solving group that enhances 87 00:04:40,647 --> 00:04:41,781 Corps [cadet] life. 88 00:04:41,781 --> 00:04:43,016 Exactly. Some. Ask. 89 00:04:43,016 --> 00:04:44,050 Exactly. Exactly. 90 00:04:44,050 --> 00:04:47,987 And then how do you how does one become a member of CSAB? 91 00:04:48,087 --> 00:04:54,193 So, applications 92 00:04:54,260 --> 00:04:58,898 open up every year kinda toward 93 00:04:58,898 --> 00:05:06,773 the last few weeks of school. 94 00:05:06,773 --> 00:05:07,707 So, there’s kind of a survey 95 00:05:07,707 --> 00:05:08,141 sent out with some questions based on what they do at the Institute. 96 00:05:08,141 --> 00:05:08,174 Is that sent out corps-wide? Yes, yest it does. 97 00:05:08,174 --> 00:05:11,177 And then we have about, I think, 20 members, 98 00:05:11,344 --> 00:05:14,180 like a 20 member cap or 20 member availability. 99 00:05:14,180 --> 00:05:16,983 And it's not, you know, set at 20. 100 00:05:16,983 --> 00:05:19,819 But we do 101 00:05:19,819 --> 00:05:21,688 [...] the rising CSAB officers. 102 00:05:21,688 --> 00:05:25,158 So it's so this year was me, the rising 103 00:05:25,158 --> 00:05:29,262 Vice President, the Rising Secretary, Operations Officer 104 00:05:29,262 --> 00:05:32,832 and then the assistant to the cadet in charge. 105 00:05:32,932 --> 00:05:36,135 So you guys, all the officers are intimately involved 106 00:05:36,135 --> 00:05:38,438 in screening the applicants, helping the kids who come in, 107 00:05:38,438 --> 00:05:41,240 And then you all do face to face interviews or how does that work? 108 00:05:41,240 --> 00:05:41,674 Yes, ma'am. 109 00:05:41,674 --> 00:05:44,844 So

we screened all of the applicants through their applications 110 00:05:44,844 --> 00:05:48,648 based on the answers they're putting, the apps that they are putting into their 111 00:05:48,648 --> 00:05:50,249 answers and thought they're putting in their answers. 112 00:05:50,249 --> 00:05:55,822 And the ones that we really wanted to interview with, we we interviewed. 113 00:05:55,922 --> 00:05:57,857 Are those in person or on Teams? 114 00:05:57,857 --> 00:05:58,591 Those. 115 00:05:58,591 --> 00:06:00,960 Yeah, we did those in person in the library. 116 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:02,929 Okay. Yeah. 117 00:06:02,929 --> 00:06:04,831 And what about succession planning? 118 00:06:04,831 --> 00:06:09,135 Do you guys identify some of the cadets who might be good officers? 119 00:06:09,235 --> 00:06:13,005 So we last year we did elections for CSAB officers. 120 00:06:13,005 --> 00:06:17,143 So I put my name on the ballot for, I think, all the officer positions. 121 00:06:17,143 --> 00:06:19,479 And then I got one. 122 00:06:19,479 --> 00:06:20,847 One of these is gonna stick, right? 123 00:06:20,847 --> 00:06:22,615 I was I was hoping that one of them was stick. 124 00:06:22,615 --> 00:06:27,653 So I mean I surprisingly got elected I guess it was a surprise to me. 125 00:06:27,653 --> 00:06:30,523 But I got elected as president a cadet in charge. 126 00:06:30,523 --> 00:06:33,960 And then we from that point kind of planned 127 00:06:33,960 --> 00:06:37,263 how we wanted the year to go and how we wanted to do interviews. 128 00:06:37,263 --> 00:06:40,233 And then we just kind of hit the ground running. 129 00:06:40,233 --> 00:06:42,268 And then how has this year gone? 130 00:06:42,268 --> 00:06:48,941 Because you completed last year's tasks, you got the non-commissioning lab 131 00:06:49,008 --> 00:06:49,642 no longer 132 00:06:49,642 --> 00:06:53,146 requirement for seniors of for as a second year, basically. 133 00:06:53,212 --> 00:06:56,215 How's it been going this year for finding a topic? 134 00:06:56,349 --> 00:06:59,385 So we had our original so we have two meetings for the superintendent. 135 00:06:59,385 --> 00:07:02,155 One is in the first semester and one is in the second semester. 136 00:07:02,155 --> 00:07:06,426 So to clarify, the meeting is actually an executive briefing. 137 00:07:06,492 --> 00:07:08,895 Yes, ma'am. Yes, this is high level stuff. 138 00:07:08,895 --> 00:07:12,799 You can add you know, you're basically adding some skills on your resumé. 139 00:07:12,899 --> 00:07:13,433 Yes. Right. 140 00:07:13,433 --> 00:07:16,436 So we had a meeting with the superintendent, the dean, 141 00:07:16,669 --> 00:07:19,272 and the commandant, 142 00:07:19,272 --> 00:07:22,041 I think it was earlier October, 143 00:07:22,041 --> 00:07:24,177 which is earlier than we usually have that first meeting of the superintendent. 144 00:07:24,177 --> 00:07:27,380 And that's a briefing on what our problem statement is. 145 00:07:27,380 --> 00:07:29,115 And the superintendent gave us some really good feedback 146 00:07:29,115 --> 00:07:30,750 from how to move on from there. 147 00:07:30,750 --> 00:07:33,686 And the commandant in the dean also gave some very good feedback from there. 148 00:07:33,686 --> 00:07:36,956 And so from that point, we have been working with that feedback 149 00:07:36,956 --> 00:07:39,325 as well as guidance from Colonel Gray and Dr. Tucker. 150 00:07:39,325 --> 00:07:42,562 And we even invited Sergeant Major Sauers and Chaplain Casper to come 151 00:07:42,562 --> 00:07:44,197 and give some of their feedback, too. 152 00:07:44,197 --> 00:07:46,766 So we've been working with that feedback and we just now 153 00:07:46,766 --> 00:07:50,570 completed a draft of a survey to send out to the Corps for the next semester. 154 00:07:50,636 --> 00:07:50,803 Oh, cool. 155 00:07:50,803 --> 00:07:53,272 So when you started the semester, were there 156 00:07:53,272 --> 00:07:56,742 some ideas already formulated or how did you come about? 157 00:07:56,742 --> 00:08:01,547 Like how many did you present several ideas to the superintendent? 158 00:08:01,681 --> 00:08:03,449 Yes. Or was there one you really wanted to do. 159 00:08:03,449 --> 00:08:06,018 So the way it starts out, the first or second meeting, 160 00:08:06,018 --> 00:08:08,187 we actually have three different categories on the board. 161 00:08:08,187 --> 00:08:10,990 We have regimental system, academic system, 162 00:08:10,990 --> 00:08:14,727 I think cadet life systems and everyone just puts on sticky notes of problems 163 00:08:14,727 --> 00:08:15,995 that they see in these different categories. 164 00:08:15,995 --> 00:08:17,630 I mean, so we have I mean, 165 00:08:17,630 --> 00:08:20,132 at least 50 problems up there and we just kind of all, okay, 166 00:08:20,132 --> 00:08:22,335 so maybe this isn't a problem to everyone or this is 167 00:08:22,335 --> 00:08:24,036 this is more of a perception, okay? 168 00:08:24,036 --> 00:08:25,738 This is something that we can look at. 169 00:08:25,738 --> 00:08:26,839 This as something that's a problem 170 00:08:26,839 --> 00:08:28,774 that maybe we can't fix, and then we kind of narrow 171 00:08:28,774 --> 00:08:30,943 down to what we can look at and what we can fix. 172 00:08:30,943 --> 00:08:34,814 So I think we kind of started out with, you know, ownership of decisions 173 00:08:34,814 --> 00:08:35,181 in the Corps, 174 00:08:35,181 --> 00:08:39,519 and we have narrowed it down to, you know, pride and the esprit de corps. 175 00:08:39,585 --> 00:08:43,589 So have you been able to use any particular strategies 176 00:08:43,589 --> 00:08:48,494 or decision making tools in order to do some of this work? 177 00:08:48,594 --> 00:08:50,997 Well, if you know Colonel Gray, you know, he loves decision 178 00:08:50,997 --> 00:08:55,635 making tools and strategies. You know, he's he's got one for 179 00:08:55,735 -->

00:08:56,869 his and, 180 00:08:56,869 --> 00:08:59,238 you know, it's funny because he'll brief them to me is like, does that make sense? 181 00:08:59,238 --> 00:09:01,641 And it makes sense, but it makes more sense 182 00:09:01,641 --> 00:09:04,277 when he just writes it up on the board, so. Yeah. 183 00:09:04,277 --> 00:09:06,112 And is and his methods are actually really helped. 184 00:09:06,112 --> 00:09:07,413 We did one the other day 185 00:09:07,413 --> 00:09:09,515 that had to do with whether it was a perception and a reality 186 00:09:09,515 --> 00:09:12,952 or whether it was a VMI corps problem or a VMI system's problem. 187 00:09:12,952 --> 00:09:15,321 We graphed them, graphed them into quadrants, 188 00:09:15,321 --> 00:09:18,658 and it really helped us situate situate our issues into 189 00:09:18,724 --> 00:09:20,459 different categories, and we moved on from there. 190 00:09:20,459 --> 00:09:21,260 So I was an 191 00:09:21,260 --> 00:09:25,097 example of a really good one that we did so very thankful to the Colonel Gray 192 00:09:25,131 --> 00:09:27,033 and Dr. Tucker for the guidance they've given us. 193 00:09:27,033 --> 00:09:29,168 They've really helped us like move forward and certain places. 194 00:09:29,168 --> 00:09:30,469 It kind of seemed like we were stuck. 195 00:09:30,469 --> 00:09:34,440 So when you all did your brief in the fall to the 196 00:09:34,507 --> 00:09:39,312 administrative leaders of the Institute, 197 00:09:39,412 --> 00:09:40,846 what was their feedback in 198 00:09:40,846 --> 00:09:45,184 terms of the research you had done and the ideas that you had? 199 00:09:45,251 --> 00:09:46,152 What was that about? 200 00:09:46,152 --> 00:09:49,055 So I think their feedback was more of was focus 201 00:09:49,055 --> 00:09:52,625 more on issues that could be more supported by data. 202 00:09:52,625 --> 00:09:55,094 So that's why we're doing our survey here because 203 00:09:55,094 --> 00:09:58,598 and to their point, it is fair that it can be perceived as as feelings 204 00:09:58,598 --> 00:10:03,069 when you do bring forward, you know, a conceptual based presentation. 205 00:10:03,235 --> 00:10:05,237 So we're we're trying to focus a lot more on data 206 00:10:05,237 --> 00:10:06,672 that we're collecting from the core now. 207 00:10:06,672 --> 00:10:11,277 And in more tangible issues such as esprit de corps rather than than ownership. 208 00:10:11,344 --> 00:10:14,347 And when you say Esprit de Corps, can you define that? 209 00:10:14,447 --> 00:10:16,282 I think it's pride in going to VMI. 210 00:10:16,282 --> 00:10:19,352 And then in the subtext of that pride 211 00:10:19,352 --> 00:10:24,156 and, you know, being in your unit, being in your company, your battalion. So 212 00:10:24,223 --> 00:10:26,792 I think one of the main issues and there's there's multiple. 213 00:10:26,792 --> 00:10:30,363 But, you know, for instance, you know, shining your shoes 214 00:10:30,529 --> 00:10:32,531 and, you know, being [proud] in your uniform, 215 00:10:32,531 --> 00:10:35,101 not because you might get boned and not because you're 216 00:10:35,101 --> 00:10:36,802 a powerful otherwise, but because you're proud of it. 217 00:10:36,802 --> 00:10:38,671 You're proud to be a cadet and. 218 00:10:38,671 --> 00:10:41,540 So I'm a mom of three kids, so 219 00:10:41,540 --> 00:10:44,543 I always tell them, you know, put your best foot forward. 220 00:10:44,677 --> 00:10:47,880 If you're going to do something, you know, do it well. 221 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:49,649 Do it thoroughly. Yes, ma'am. 222 00:10:49,649 --> 00:10:51,417 I've always kind of said that, you know, 223 00:10:51,417 --> 00:10:54,687 your uniform appearance is a reflection of the effort that you put into yourself. 224 00:10:54,687 --> 00:10:56,088 So, you know, 225 00:10:56,088 --> 00:10:58,324 when you step outside of barracks and the way 226 00:10:58,324 --> 00:11:00,026 the way you look is the way people perceive you. 227 00:11:00,026 --> 00:11:02,995 And then a lot of times perceptions are reality as much as that. 228 00:11:03,029 --> 00:11:04,397 That is a hard truth to accept. 229 00:11:04,397 --> 00:11:07,099 A lot of times the way people perceive you is the reality that they make of you. 230 00:11:07,099 --> 00:11:09,301 Well, you’re trying to make that good first impression. 231 00:11:09,301 --> 00:11:12,138 And then if you if you always look like you're ready for the day. 232 00:11:12,138 --> 00:11:16,542 Well, and it's also the fact, you know, we were, you know, 233 00:11:16,642 --> 00:11:22,782 VMI, VMI on our hat brass and wear VMI on our belts and wear the VMI ring. 234 00:11:22,782 --> 00:11:24,016 So our appearance isn't 235 00:11:24,016 --> 00:11:26,152 just a reflection of us, it’s a reflection of the Institute. 236 00:11:26,152 --> 00:11:28,554 So you did your briefing in the fall. 237 00:11:28,554 --> 00:11:30,356 You've done your research. Now, you’re getting ready 238 00:11:30,356 --> 00:11:35,494 to do your survey in the spring, and what's the timeline? 239 00:11:35,594 --> 00:11:36,495 So we have our survey. 240 00:11:36,495 --> 00:11:38,731 We're going to send that out to the Corps in the spring, 241 00:11:38,731 --> 00:11:41,600 and then we're going to analyze those results and do it problem solving. 242 00:11:41,600 --> 00:11:46,472 So then make a brief to the superintendent on a tangible solution that we can make. 243 00:11:46,472 --> 00:11:48,474 So that brief will most likely be April. 244 00:11:48,474 --> 00:11:49,341 I don't believe that 245 00:11:49,341 --> 00:11:53,345 the exact date is set in stone yet, but it is going to be in April, early April. 246 00:11:53,412 --> 00:11:57,783 So from there we're going to brief him and then get his feedback 247 00:11:57,783 --> 00:12:02,088 and a yes or no or a modified yes or no to the solution that we're making. 248 00:12:02,154 --> 00:12:05,024 For some of the

reasons that you came to VMI, 249 00:12:05,024 --> 00:12:07,827 one of them being that 250 00:12:07,827 --> 00:12:10,629 that you wanted a deeper college experience 251 00:12:10,629 --> 00:12:13,933 and having pride in something greater than yourself. 252 00:12:14,033 --> 00:12:17,036 How has being a member of CSAB 253 00:12:17,036 --> 00:12:20,272 contributed or has it contributed to that? 254 00:12:20,439 --> 00:12:24,777 Has that satisfied that desire that you get from that something different? 255 00:12:24,977 --> 00:12:26,212 Well, yeah, I go, I'm going back. 256 00:12:26,212 --> 00:12:28,881 The first time I was like, 257 00:12:28,948 --> 00:12:31,283 I was not a part of a military family 258 00:12:31,283 --> 00:12:36,288 or anything like that was really on my radar in high school. 259 00:12:36,355 --> 00:12:37,823 It really kind of came like senior year. 260 00:12:37,823 --> 00:12:40,826 I really wanted to go to VMI just more because I wanted to be a part of that 261 00:12:40,826 --> 00:12:41,761 greater than myself. 262 00:12:41,761 --> 00:12:41,894 You know, 263 00:12:41,894 --> 00:12:46,365 I saw my sister go to regular college and like she talked about, you know, 264 00:12:46,432 --> 00:12:48,534 the dumb stuff that goes on in regular college. 265 00:12:48,534 --> 00:12:52,104 And I was like, I really don't want any part of that, to be honest. 266 00:12:52,104 --> 00:12:56,308 So I, I went to VMI, not just because I wanted to go to college. 267 00:12:56,308 --> 00:13:00,146 I wanted to get something more out of college than just an education or, 268 00:13:00,312 --> 00:13:01,247 you know, fake friends. 269 00:13:01,247 --> 00:13:04,884 I wanted a real relationship, some bonds that would last a long time. 270 00:13:04,884 --> 00:13:08,387 Going back to have I seen that and CSAB. 271 00:13:08,454 --> 00:13:12,324 Definitely, because, I mean, the thing I really respected most about CSAB 272 00:13:12,324 --> 00:13:17,630 is that it's not that there's no one group that's overrepresented in CSAB. 273 00:13:17,630 --> 00:13:19,365 Everybody comes from a different aspect, 274 00:13:19,365 --> 00:13:22,401 a different specialty, a different motivation at VMI. 275 00:13:22,635 --> 00:13:26,739 You know, we have rankers non rankers athletes, non athletes 276 00:13:26,839 --> 00:13:30,676 really just every, every make and mold the people at VMI and all of them 277 00:13:30,676 --> 00:13:33,479 come together and say, you know, this is something I see that 278 00:13:33,479 --> 00:13:36,048 maybe you don't see and this is something, hey, maybe everybody sees. 279 00:13:36,048 --> 00:13:36,615 And I think that's 280 00:13:36,615 --> 00:13:40,686 that's really beneficial that people that a lot of times are not seen as, 281 00:13:40,753 --> 00:13:42,221 you know, maybe running in the same groups 282 00:13:42,221 --> 00:13:45,591 can come together and make those positive solutions. 283 00:13:45,658 --> 00:13:48,060 And

so when they say, like group comes together, 284 00:13:48,060 --> 00:13:53,065 there's the norming and storming and then forming this. 285 00:13:53,132 --> 00:13:56,468 Did you see that with the new group of cadets? 286 00:13:56,569 --> 00:13:59,572 Yes. And one of the things is that, you know, you have 287 00:13:59,572 --> 00:14:01,941 people who have things that their their minds are set. 288 00:14:01,941 --> 00:14:03,342 You know, this is a problem. We need to fix it. 289 00:14:03,342 --> 00:14:05,077 And we should go through all the measures and fix it. 290 00:14:05,077 --> 00:14:08,180 And a lot of times you have to realize that maybe what you see 291 00:14:08,180 --> 00:14:11,784 as a problem is really not that big a problem to other people. 292 00:14:11,784 --> 00:14:13,118 And more importantly, 293 00:14:13,118 --> 00:14:15,721 sometimes the superintendent won't see it as a bigger problem. 294 00:14:15,721 --> 00:14:16,822 When we present these solutions 295 00:14:16,822 --> 00:14:18,858 to the superintendent, you have to realize that, you know, 296 00:14:18,858 --> 00:14:19,024 you know, 297 00:14:19,024 --> 00:14:20,426 if he's going to agree with your solution, 298 00:14:20,426 --> 00:14:22,795 he has to agree that it is, too, a problem. 299 00:14:22,795 --> 00:14:24,263 So... And a solvable one. 300 00:14:24,263 --> 00:14:25,931 And yes, a solvable one too. 301 00:14:25,931 --> 00:14:28,200 So also one of the things people bring up is, 302 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:28,434 you know, 303 00:14:28,434 --> 00:14:31,403 they'll bring up an issue that we see and we have to many times say, well, 304 00:14:31,403 --> 00:14:32,805 is that something that we can really solve? 305 00:14:32,805 --> 00:14:33,239 You know, so 306 00:14:33,239 --> 00:14:36,175 some of that stuff has to do with stuff that's even higher than Smith Hall. 307 00:14:36,175 --> 00:14:38,911 You know, it's you know, you know, it's stuff that we can't really fix. 308 00:14:38,911 --> 00:14:44,316 And then you're also a member of the Ethics club. 309 00:14:44,516 --> 00:14:45,317 Yes, ma'am. 310 00:14:45,317 --> 00:14:48,320 About how long you've were there. 311 00:14:48,420 --> 00:14:50,422 What's your role on that? 312 00:14:50,422 --> 00:14:54,393 So I started third class year as a sophomore. 313 00:14:54,493 --> 00:14:58,030 I, I was motivated to join by one of my S-1 314 00:14:58,030 --> 00:15:00,799 sergeants at the time, Harris Burton, and she later became a lieutenant. 315 00:15:00,799 --> 00:15:04,069 And she's kind of really motivated me throughout my way. 316 00:15:04,069 --> 00:15:07,640 She's always been a mentor to me, so I joined that and then 317 00:15:07,706 --> 00:15:09,008 second class year, 318 00:15:09,008 --> 00:15:12,678 Harris became the cadet in charge, and I was the assistant cadet in charge. 319 00:15:12,745 --> 00:15:15,981 And we were having a really successful year. 320 00:15:15,981 --> 00:15:19,952 We were the first team in the in my history 321 00:15:20,019 --> 00:15:22,187 to go to the Nationals for the ethics board. 322 00:15:22,187 --> 00:15:25,157 And then in April we were the 323 00:15:25,157 --> 00:15:28,193 we defeated all the service academies 324 00:15:28,193 --> 00:15:31,463 at the military ethics Case competition in Annapolis, Maryland. 325 00:15:31,530 --> 00:15:35,134 And we didn't just when we got a perfect score by one of the judges. 326 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:38,203 So we were really successful last year. 327 00:15:38,203 --> 00:15:40,773 We had a really powerhouse team and now I'm 328 00:15:40,773 --> 00:15:43,642 now I'm the cadet in charge of the team and we're gearing up 329 00:15:43,642 --> 00:15:46,645 for the military ethics case competition in April. 330 00:15:46,879 --> 00:15:48,080 And that's a big one. 331 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:50,115 That's that's that is our Super Bowl. 332 00:15:50,115 --> 00:15:51,984 Best of luck to you all. Thank you. 333 00:15:51,984 --> 00:15:58,090 How's it been that now that you're in charge and are you still in touch with 334 00:15:58,190 --> 00:15:58,891 Cadet... 335 00:15:58,891 --> 00:16:00,859 well, she's a graduate now, Burton? 336 00:16:00,859 --> 00:16:02,461 Yes, I'm still in touch with her. 337 00:16:02,461 --> 00:16:06,031 You know, we we text and talk every now and then. 338 00:16:06,031 --> 00:16:06,966 She's in law school now, 339 00:16:06,966 --> 00:16:09,568 so I've been texting her about, you know, law school stuff. 340 00:16:09,568 --> 00:16:12,004 Yeah. So, you know, I do give her updates. 341 00:16:12,004 --> 00:16:16,275 And so every now and then it's and I have asked her for advice before on stuff. 342 00:16:16,275 --> 00:16:17,609 You know, that's I think that's part of the thing 343 00:16:17,609 --> 00:16:20,346 about leadership is, is humility. You know, you never know all the answers. 344 00:16:20,346 --> 00:16:22,247 And if you do think you know all the answers, 345 00:16:22,247 --> 00:16:24,717 then you should probably rethink your mindset. 346 00:16:24,717 --> 00:16:26,685 And who's the ACIC? 347 00:16:26,685 --> 00:16:28,487 The assistant cadet in charge is Riley Malone. 348 00:16:28,487 --> 00:16:30,956 So we are the team of Riley and Riley. 349 00:16:30,956 --> 00:16:35,327 And trust me, we make sure we make sure to make that joke to all the judges. 350 00:16:35,394 --> 00:16:36,362 He's he's a great guy. 351 00:16:36,362 --> 00:16:38,063 He's he's really stepped up. 352 00:16:38,063 --> 00:16:41,100 He knows a lot about ethical frameworks and he brings a lot to the table. 353 00:16:41,100 --> 00:16:43,535 So he’s a second classman. 354 00:16:43,535 --> 00:16:46,472 Do you look to him to maybe take the reins for nex year? 355 00:16:46,472 --> 00:16:48,941 I certainly hope he does. Yeah. 356 00:16:48,941 --> 00:16:51,543 Are you planning on going to law school? 357 00:16:51,543 --> 00:16:52,111 Yes, ma'am. 358 00:16:52,111 -->

00:16:54,480 I've applied and been accepted to a few law schools. 359 00:16:54,480 --> 00:16:57,750 Right now I'm leaning towards going to University of Nebraska. 360 00:16:57,750 --> 00:17:00,953 I haven't made any formal commitment yet, but I think that's the one 361 00:17:00,953 --> 00:17:02,354 I'm leaning towards. 362 00:17:02,354 --> 00:17:06,191 You also mentioned that you're an S-1, Lieutenant. 363 00:17:06,291 --> 00:17:08,427 Yeah. So what is that role like? 364 00:17:08,427 --> 00:17:13,832 So I've been on S-1 since I was a corporal when I was a third classman. 365 00:17:14,066 --> 00:17:17,002 So S-1 deals, deals with accountability, 366 00:17:17,002 --> 00:17:20,005 administrative duties, and the guard team at VMI. 367 00:17:20,005 --> 00:17:21,907 So my specialty is kind of accountability. 368 00:17:21,907 --> 00:17:24,710 And I help out with the other stuff, too, 369 00:17:24,777 --> 00:17:27,146 a little bit in terms of the administrative stuff. 370 00:17:27,146 --> 00:17:31,083 So S-1, that’s the one that has the most breadth of duties. 371 00:17:31,083 --> 00:17:34,386 And we have to know a lot of stuff about what we're doing. 372 00:17:34,453 --> 00:17:37,156 And we deal with just day to day accountability. 373 00:17:37,156 --> 00:17:39,291 And a lot of times we get tasks and I comment on the office, 374 00:17:39,291 --> 00:17:40,192 I kind of 375 00:17:40,192 --> 00:17:42,061 are different and unique in their own ways, 376 00:17:42,061 --> 00:17:44,430 and we have to figure out how to solve those. 377 00:17:44,430 --> 00:17:48,067 Tell me, like what would be an instance where you would have some face 378 00:17:48,067 --> 00:17:53,205 to face interaction with the cadet with within your duties. 379 00:17:53,305 --> 00:17:56,809 So when we do out-processes of, of rats, 380 00:17:56,875 --> 00:17:58,744 we have to make sure we get all the signatures 381 00:17:58,744 --> 00:18:00,446 that are required with the company TAC. 382 00:18:00,446 --> 00:18:03,449 The commandant usually wants to meet with them too, before they leave. 383 00:18:03,449 --> 00:18:06,785 Also, with accountability, day-to-day we make sure other accountability 384 00:18:06,785 --> 00:18:09,788 procedures are followed so that, you know, 385 00:18:09,955 --> 00:18:12,925 for instance, right after Thanksgiving break, 386 00:18:13,125 --> 00:18:17,129 me and the S-1 captain, we're in the commandant's suite office 387 00:18:17,129 --> 00:18:21,033 with different members of comm’s staff making sure that every company 388 00:18:21,033 --> 00:18:22,668 had their accountability submitted after Thanksgiving 389 00:18:22,668 --> 00:18:25,170 break to make sure all the cadets were accounted for. 390 00:18:25,237 --> 00:18:27,506 And then what kind of leadership skills 391 00:18:27,506 --> 00:18:31,176 would you say that that helps you with? 392 00:18:31,276 --> 00:18:33,779 I would say it definitely teaches you professionalism 393 00:18:33,779 --> 00:18:37,015 at an age where a lot of people are not learning professionalism. 394 00:18:37,015 --> 00:18:39,384 So and that's not across the board. 395 00:18:39,384 --> 00:18:41,854 But I would say that I've learned how to deal with, 396 00:18:41,854 --> 00:18:46,258 you know, different tasks and different unexpected things in the plan. 397 00:18:46,258 --> 00:18:47,926 And I've also learned how to work with people 398 00:18:47,926 --> 00:18:51,396 that have a lot of experience, and I learned a lot from that. 399 00:18:51,463 --> 00:18:53,765 How about peer leadership? 400 00:18:53,765 --> 00:18:54,666 Yeah, I've learned 401 00:18:54,666 --> 00:18:57,202 and it's great that I've been on S-1 since I was a corporal 402 00:18:57,202 --> 00:18:59,371 because I learned a lot about what it means to, you know, 403 00:18:59,371 --> 00:19:01,173 be a part of that team. 404 00:19:01,173 --> 00:19:02,441 So as a corporal, I, 405 00:19:02,441 --> 00:19:07,079 you know, I didn't have anyone to to lead, but I learned a lot about followership. 406 00:19:07,146 --> 00:19:09,915 Then, you know, as a sergeant, that's when I had corporals 407 00:19:09,915 --> 00:19:13,619 below me and I think the biggest thing I learned from that year is is 408 00:19:13,685 --> 00:19:16,855 that a good leader treats the people below them as family and, you know, 409 00:19:16,855 --> 00:19:18,891 make sure that, you know, they can always be someone 410 00:19:18,891 --> 00:19:21,460 that they look up to as someone that they can go to. 411 00:19:21,460 --> 00:19:22,794 And as a sergeant. 412 00:19:22,794 --> 00:19:24,029 I think that's still the best. 413 00:19:24,029 --> 00:19:26,098 You learn that because you still have people mentoring you. 414 00:19:26,098 --> 00:19:29,101 You know, I had Harris Burton still mentoring me and 415 00:19:29,101 --> 00:19:31,103 and Ainsley Felder at the time that were mentoring me. 416 00:19:31,103 --> 00:19:32,204 And then I also had, 417 00:19:32,204 --> 00:19:34,706 you know, all my my corporals at the time they were looking up to me. 418 00:19:34,706 --> 00:19:38,076 So I learned about that from like both sides of it. 419 00:19:38,177 --> 00:19:41,613 And now that I'm an officer, I kind of have learned 420 00:19:41,613 --> 00:19:44,683 how to, you know, not have to ask as many questions. 421 00:19:44,683 --> 00:19:46,952 But, you know, I still do have those questions and, 422 00:19:46,952 --> 00:19:50,289 you know, but also making myself, you know, someone that always is there for 423 00:19:50,289 --> 00:19:53,292 people below me and advocating for the people below me. 424 00:19:53,458 --> 00:19:55,694 You're saying what's up with asking questions, 425 00:19:55,694 --> 00:20:01,433 do you see the different ‘rainbow’ books of regulations and things like that? 426 00:20:01,433 --> 00:20:05,037 Like how much how much familiarization do you have to do? 427 00:20:05,037 --> 00:20:08,006 I mean, it's

not it's not a crazy amount of familiarization. 428 00:20:08,006 --> 00:20:11,643 And if there is questions, there's usually somebody who knows the answer. 429 00:20:11,643 --> 00:20:13,045 I think, 430 00:20:13,111 --> 00:20:15,681 like I said earlier, a big part of leadership is the humility 431 00:20:15,681 --> 00:20:18,884 to accept and be okay with the fact that you don't have all the answers. 432 00:20:18,884 --> 00:20:20,185 But that someone else might. 433 00:20:20,185 --> 00:20:24,156 And sometimes that person is someone lower than you on the chain of command. 434 00:20:24,156 --> 00:20:25,190 And so I've asked, 435 00:20:25,190 --> 00:20:27,659 you know, my sergeant's questions before about why I didn't have the answer to. 436 00:20:27,659 --> 00:20:29,528 But they might have just because of what they were 437 00:20:29,528 --> 00:20:32,297 what they were doing with their duties that day. 438 00:20:32,297 --> 00:20:36,768 Now, you talked a little bit about your teams being kind of like family. 439 00:20:36,768 --> 00:20:38,303 Can you talk a little bit more about that? 440 00:20:38,303 --> 00:20:38,637 Yeah. 441 00:20:38,637 --> 00:20:42,708 So I think as a corporal, I just learned about 442 00:20:42,708 --> 00:20:44,509 like how my sergeants would always, you know, 443 00:20:44,509 --> 00:20:46,044 make sure that, you know, we were doing okay 444 00:20:46,044 --> 00:20:50,115 and that we were making sure that we all felt welcome and supported. 445 00:20:50,115 --> 00:20:52,818 One thing I've learned at VMI is that your dyke 446 00:20:52,818 --> 00:20:54,987 should not be the last bit of mentorship that you have. 447 00:20:54,987 --> 00:20:56,521 So, you know, you're dyke 448 00:20:56,521 --> 00:20:58,590 always be the greatest mentorship that you have, 449 00:20:58,590 --> 00:21:00,659 but it shouldn't be the last mentorship that you have. 450 00:21:00,659 --> 00:21:05,130 So after you're dyke leaves, find other people to mentor you and mentor 451 00:21:05,130 --> 00:21:07,132 other people that, whose dykes have graduated. 452 00:21:07,132 --> 00:21:10,636 So you know, when I was a corporal, you know, my dyke wasn't here anymore. 453 00:21:10,636 --> 00:21:14,273 But I think my sergeants kind of, you know, made sure that, you know, as thirds 454 00:21:14,339 --> 00:21:18,443 obviously didn't know everything yet and knew a lot less than everything that, 455 00:21:18,443 --> 00:21:22,581 you know, we would we were taking care of and we were always supported. 456 00:21:22,648 --> 00:21:26,685 And I even had that as a sergeant, my officers looking after me. 457 00:21:26,785 --> 00:21:30,055 So I say that mentorship is always available [at] VMI 458 00:21:30,122 --> 00:21:34,326 and that as you get up in classes at VMI, as you become a second classman 459 00:21:34,393 --> 00:21:37,829 and a first classman and always look to mentor people 460 00:21:37,896 --> 00:21:42,434 and always look to provide, you know, guidance to people because 461 00:21:42,534 --> 00:21:43,568 they don't always have the answers. 462 00:21:43,568 --> 00:21:47,773 And also accept the fact that you don't always have all the answers. 463 00:21:47,873 --> 00:21:50,776 We talked a little bit about, you know, what is your 464 00:21:50,776 --> 00:21:54,846 you've had LEAD 344, leadership in organizations, 465 00:21:54,846 --> 00:21:57,849 and have you thought about or put together 466 00:21:57,849 --> 00:22:01,219 what your leadership style is? 467 00:22:01,286 --> 00:22:04,356 I, I would say I try to be I try to be a servant leader. 468 00:22:04,356 --> 00:22:08,060 I would say I always try to help people that are, you know, 469 00:22:08,126 --> 00:22:10,562 working for me and in the way that I can. 470 00:22:10,562 --> 00:22:12,397 And anyhow, sometimes that doesn't have to always be. 471 00:22:12,397 --> 00:22:13,231 I just, you know, 472 00:22:13,231 --> 00:22:15,867 helping people out of the job that can be, you know, hey, let's have a meeting 473 00:22:15,867 --> 00:22:18,236 and I'll get you guys donuts or something like that. You know what I mean? 474 00:22:18,236 --> 00:22:22,074 So I think, I think I always try to make that friendly environment too. 475 00:22:22,074 --> 00:22:26,011 And also just, you know, being honest with yourself, you know, 476 00:22:26,078 --> 00:22:29,681 a lot of times that has to do with do I really know what I'm talking about? 477 00:22:29,681 --> 00:22:31,183 And if I don't know what I'm talking about 478 00:22:31,183 --> 00:22:34,619 maybe I should, you know, ask this person, you know, defer. 479 00:22:34,686 --> 00:22:36,188 Yes. Or be quiet. 480 00:22:36,188 --> 00:22:36,955 Yeah. 481 00:22:36,955 --> 00:22:41,126 When we're talking about the family environment here, 482 00:22:41,193 --> 00:22:43,562 would it be fair to say that what you're talking about 483 00:22:43,562 --> 00:22:47,099 is checking in on people, having empathy for people? 484 00:22:47,099 --> 00:22:49,968 Yeah. Yeah. And I think that that motivates them. 485 00:22:49,968 --> 00:22:53,405 I think motivation is the is the biggest benefit of that. 486 00:22:53,505 --> 00:22:56,708 So I think seeing that it you know across all the levels. 487 00:22:56,708 --> 00:22:57,342 Right. 488 00:22:57,342 --> 00:23:01,713 So with my sergeants you know like making sure that they're 489 00:23:01,780 --> 00:23:04,916 that they're like doing okay with the new leadership responsibilities 490 00:23:04,916 --> 00:23:09,421 that they have this year as a sergeants and making sure that you know that they're 491 00:23:09,488 --> 00:23:10,722 that they're doing well with that. 492 00:23:10,722 --> 00:23:13,825 And I'm really proud of them because they're stepping up 493 00:23:13,825 --> 00:23:15,026 and being the next leaders of the Corps. 494 00:23:15,026 --> 00:23:16,728 And, you know, I've seen them grow as corporals. 495 00:23:16,728 --> 00:23:17,896 I'm immensely

proud of them. 496 00:23:17,896 --> 00:23:21,967 And, you know, seeing my corporals grow up and take up the new responsibilities 497 00:23:21,967 --> 00:23:24,236 and, you know, finding their way to third class year, you're you know, 498 00:23:24,236 --> 00:23:26,171 I'm proud of them for for that. 499 00:23:26,171 --> 00:23:28,540 And I always want to make sure that they're they know that, you know, 500 00:23:28,540 --> 00:23:29,808 I'm looking out for them. 501 00:23:29,808 --> 00:23:31,376 I'm proud of them for what they've done. 502 00:23:31,376 --> 00:23:34,546 And, you know, last last year with my rat, I would say I'm most proud of all 503 00:23:34,546 --> 00:23:38,550 because, you know, he's I mean I mean, he's my he's my pride and joy. 504 00:23:38,550 --> 00:23:40,819 You know, I'm immensely proud of my rat. 505 00:23:40,819 --> 00:23:44,356 And I couldn't have asked for a better rat and I was checking with him 506 00:23:44,356 --> 00:23:45,791 all the daily, you know, how was your day? 507 00:23:45,791 --> 00:23:48,326 How are how your grades are doing and and stuff like that. 508 00:23:48,326 --> 00:23:50,362 And, you know, really his his smile is contagious. 509 00:23:50,362 --> 00:23:53,398 So, you know, seemed and so really just to see that see that 510 00:23:53,565 --> 00:23:57,169 that reflected and seeing how people prosper just because, 511 00:23:57,235 --> 00:23:58,804 you know, you check in on people's on times 512 00:23:58,804 --> 00:24:01,072 that it really makes a difference in my day. 513 00:24:01,072 --> 00:24:02,541 That's great. 514 00:24:02,541 --> 00:24:06,611 That sounds a little counter to how some people or even 515 00:24:06,645 --> 00:24:11,049 we have described the cadet experience here at VMI. 516 00:24:11,049 --> 00:24:14,186 We call it an adversarial 517 00:24:14,252 --> 00:24:15,120 environment, 518 00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:18,356 mainly because there's so many challenges. 519 00:24:18,356 --> 00:24:21,259 You know, you're separated from your family, you're going away to school. 520 00:24:21,259 --> 00:24:22,661 So every school has that. 521 00:24:22,661 --> 00:24:27,766 But here, then you've got to be a part of the Rat Line 522 00:24:27,866 --> 00:24:34,139 and you've got a challenge for your time versus academics versus military duty. 523 00:24:34,206 --> 00:24:37,108 And we talked a little bit about your thoughts on 524 00:24:37,108 --> 00:24:40,879 whether or not VMI really was an adversarial system. 525 00:24:40,879 --> 00:24:42,747 Can you share your thoughts on that? 526 00:24:42,747 --> 00:24:44,883 Well, it's certainly adversarial in that it presents 527 00:24:44,883 --> 00:24:48,687 you challenges that you wouldn't see at any other college in the United States. 528 00:24:48,753 --> 00:24:52,691 And it prevents it presents you from it presents you hardships 529 00:24:52,791 --> 00:24:56,595 that make you a better person at the end of the day and help 530 00:24:56,595

--> 00:24:58,530 you have resiliency that I know 531 00:24:58,530 --> 00:25:00,966 I certainly would not have if I went to a regular college. 532 00:25:00,966 --> 00:25:04,536 Now, I would like to expand on the fact as adversarial and that it is not always 533 00:25:04,536 --> 00:25:06,605 to beat you down as to, but it's to build you up. 534 00:25:06,605 --> 00:25:11,109 It’s to give you perseverance, but it's also to make you 535 00:25:11,109 --> 00:25:14,379 a stronger person that can look out for not just yourself, but for others. 536 00:25:14,412 --> 00:25:18,416 I think it teaches you how to how to not blame the world for your own problems. 537 00:25:18,416 --> 00:25:21,720 I think before I came to VMI and I had this concept of like if 538 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:25,056 something bad happened, it like it wasn't my fault, you know, like this happened. 539 00:25:25,056 --> 00:25:25,724 This happened. 540 00:25:25,724 --> 00:25:29,561 And I think VMI teaches you to say, yep, this was my fault. 541 00:25:29,694 --> 00:25:31,963 And that doesn't mean that, you know, it was a 542 00:25:31,963 --> 00:25:33,865 it was a failure in a negative sense. 543 00:25:33,865 --> 00:25:35,200 It was it was a learning experience. 544 00:25:35,200 --> 00:25:37,569 And that's what VMI is. It's a learning experience here. 545 00:25:37,569 --> 00:25:39,037 I can do everything right the first time. 546 00:25:39,037 --> 00:25:42,307 Everyone's going to get the merits and everyone's going to fail at some way 547 00:25:42,307 --> 00:25:44,309 and everyone's going to get a really bad test grade 548 00:25:44,309 --> 00:25:45,877 at some point in their cadetship. 549 00:25:45,877 --> 00:25:46,411 And it's about how 550 00:25:46,411 --> 00:25:49,915 you just come back from that and it helps you learn where you messed up 551 00:25:49,915 --> 00:25:52,317 and how you can do better from that point. 552 00:25:52,417 --> 00:25:52,717 Can you 553 00:25:52,717 --> 00:25:58,857 describe the situation where you have what might be the most memorable struggle 554 00:25:58,890 --> 00:26:03,295 or failure, if you can even qualify it that way 555 00:26:03,395 --> 00:26:06,565 that you've had here that you overcame? 556 00:26:06,565 --> 00:26:08,967 And what was that like? 557 00:26:08,967 --> 00:26:10,602 I think I had this really hard class. 558 00:26:10,602 --> 00:26:13,171 I should research design for political science. 559 00:26:13,171 --> 00:26:17,409 And I mean, I just thought I was not doing very well in the class. 560 00:26:17,409 --> 00:26:21,613 And I think eventually I realized, you know, how to deal with 561 00:26:21,680 --> 00:26:22,781 or how to, like, 562 00:26:22,781 --> 00:26:26,418 take the teacher's feedback in and move on in a positive sense 563 00:26:26,484 --> 00:26:30,789 and and really capitalize on that feedback and I saw my 564 00:26:30,855 --> 00:26:32,991 I saw myself do better and was more comfortable 565 00:26:32,991 --> 00:26:34,926 with how the assignments were working towards the end. 566 00:26:34,926 --> 00:26:36,728 And, you know, I did really well 567 00:26:36,728 --> 00:26:39,431 in the final presentation and the presentation, the final paper. 568 00:26:39,431 --> 00:26:39,831 And, you know, 569 00:26:39,831 --> 00:26:44,002 I eventually got in that class and I, I really was happy with with how I worked. 570 00:26:44,069 --> 00:26:47,072 Like that classmate was probably the hardest one I've had of VMI, 571 00:26:47,138 --> 00:26:49,107 but I was the most proud of. 572 00:26:49,107 --> 00:26:51,343 Was that a pep talk that you gave yourself, 573 00:26:51,343 --> 00:26:52,877 or how did you turn that around? 574 00:26:52,877 --> 00:26:54,846 I think it's just adapting to adapting to. 575 00:26:54,846 --> 00:26:57,849 I don't think I gave myself too much of a pep talk so much as I 576 00:26:57,849 --> 00:27:01,286 just kind of realized how how to just deal with it. 577 00:27:01,286 --> 00:27:05,190 There's no really flowery way to say it, you know, I was able to contextualize 578 00:27:05,190 --> 00:27:07,692 everything and like, we felt like, you know, I had a lot of things. 579 00:27:07,692 --> 00:27:09,294 coming at me at one time, you know, with other classes 580 00:27:09,294 --> 00:27:12,230 and everything, I was able to just kind of take it one step at a time. 581 00:27:12,230 --> 00:27:13,365 And how do you organize yourself? 582 00:27:13,365 --> 00:27:16,334 Do you keep bullet lists or... 583 00:27:16,334 --> 00:27:17,702 I should keep a bullet list. 584 00:27:17,702 --> 00:27:19,204 And I tell them and I tell myself that. 585 00:27:19,204 --> 00:27:21,239 I told myself at the beginning of every semester that I'm in, I'm 586 00:27:21,239 --> 00:27:22,574 like making a list of some I have to do it. 587 00:27:22,574 --> 00:27:27,112 And then all this time I just kind of like remember in my head and, you know, 588 00:27:27,178 --> 00:27:27,679 probably more 589 00:27:27,679 --> 00:27:30,849 organized if I kept a list and I on the goal to set in the future. 590 00:27:30,849 --> 00:27:34,152 But I think it I think is yeah, 591 00:27:34,219 --> 00:27:37,389 I think it's genuinely just taking it one step at a time, one day at a time. 592 00:27:37,389 --> 00:27:40,725 I know like when, when you're a rat and they give you like advice before how week. 593 00:27:40,725 --> 00:27:42,360 So you just take it one meal at a time. 594 00:27:42,360 --> 00:27:44,162 Just get get to like the next meal. 595 00:27:44,162 --> 00:27:45,463 I think at VMI, you kind of 596 00:27:45,463 --> 00:27:47,232 just have to take a week by week, day by day 597 00:27:47,232 --> 00:27:50,802 sometimes, and just take a deep breath and just let things come as they will. 598 00:27:50,802 --> 00:27:52,771 And I just have the 599 00:27:52,771 --> 00:27:56,408 I just have the serenity to accept the things that sometimes you can't change. 600 00:27:56,474 -->

00:28:00,278 Did you have any situations or circumstances like here 601 00:28:00,278 --> 00:28:04,516 that at VMI where you were just like I just need to get through the next class 602 00:28:04,516 --> 00:28:05,617 or the next day? 603 00:28:05,617 --> 00:28:07,986 Yeah, I think I mean, I think every kid that experiences 604 00:28:07,986 --> 00:28:10,155 towards the end of the semester when you have all these papers due. 605 00:28:10,155 --> 00:28:13,692 I mean just the last week, I mean, we've all experienced this, you know, 606 00:28:13,758 --> 00:28:17,195 you have all these papers due, all these assignments due, 607 00:28:17,195 --> 00:28:20,198 and quite a few tests with it all up in the last week. 608 00:28:20,198 --> 00:28:21,399 And so, I mean, you really do 609 00:28:21,399 --> 00:28:26,671 have to just take it one paper at a time on assignment at a time. 610 00:28:26,771 --> 00:28:29,874 So next semester you're going to be doing your survey 611 00:28:29,874 --> 00:28:34,813 for the CSAB and getting that feedback, doing your brief out 612 00:28:34,813 --> 00:28:39,451 and then you’ve got the MECC competition that you're prepping for as well. 613 00:28:39,517 --> 00:28:41,352 Yeah, and then you graduate. 614 00:28:41,352 --> 00:28:42,687 Surprisingly so. 615 00:28:42,687 --> 00:28:46,324 It's been a it's been a long but a very short four years. 616 00:28:46,424 --> 00:28:47,025 Everybody says that! 617 00:28:47,025 --> 00:28:49,194 Yeah, looking back in there. 618 00:28:49,194 --> 00:28:51,262 So any regrets? 619 00:28:51,262 --> 00:28:52,831 I can't think of any right now. 620 00:28:52,831 --> 00:28:56,367 I mean I certainly do not regret coming to VMI. 621 00:28:56,367 --> 00:28:58,103 I mean I, 622 00:28:58,103 --> 00:29:01,206 I always think about like how much I would regret it if I, if I didn't come here. 623 00:29:01,239 --> 00:29:04,042 I think that's the thing about VMI is that it doesn't it doesn't. 624 00:29:04,042 --> 00:29:06,644 It doesn't meet the expectations in the sense that, you know, you don't 625 00:29:06,644 --> 00:29:10,815 you don't you can't expect what's coming, you know, so so Exactly. 626 00:29:10,815 --> 00:29:14,185 So it can't meet your expectations because you don't know what to expect. 627 00:29:14,319 --> 00:29:16,254 So even if you think you know what to expect, 628 00:29:16,254 --> 00:29:19,724 even if even if your family is alumni, which mine is not, and I know people who 629 00:29:19,924 --> 00:29:21,059 even their family was alumni 630 00:29:21,059 --> 00:29:23,728 and they still don't really know what to expect, you know. 631 00:29:23,728 --> 00:29:27,298 That's why we call this podcast the VMI Leader Journey because everyone's 632 00:29:27,298 --> 00:29:31,970 experience here is unique, as is as unique as they are as individuals. 633 00:29:31,970 --> 00:29:33,505 Exactly. 634 00:29:33,605 --> 00:29:34,439 Any advice 635 00:29:34,439 --> 00:29:37,442 that you have for underclassmen or. 636 00:29:37,475 --> 00:29:41,212 I would say remember every day, like why you why you love this place 637 00:29:41,212 --> 00:29:44,215 and why you decided to come here and think about, you know, 638 00:29:44,382 --> 00:29:46,951 hanging out with your roommates in your room and hanging out with, 639 00:29:46,951 --> 00:29:49,687 you know, all your friends and how how you just 640 00:29:49,687 --> 00:29:51,222 you simply would not have that in other college. 641 00:29:51,222 --> 00:29:54,292 So just remember why you love this place and every little thing about this place 642 00:29:54,292 --> 00:29:55,593 that might be dumb, 643 00:29:55,593 --> 00:29:58,129 but that you wouldn't have anywhere else, and that what truly 644 00:29:58,129 --> 00:30:01,032 makes you a better person. Yeah, that's great advice. 645 00:30:01,032 --> 00:30:04,335 Well, thank you very much, Riley, for being part of this show. 646 00:30:04,469 --> 00:30:09,073 Thank you so much for having me. 647 00:30:09,140 --> 00:30:11,276 This has been a strategic outreach 648 00:30:11,276 --> 00:30:14,546 program of the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics. 649 00:30:14,646 --> 00:30:17,382 We educate, engage and inspire the leadership 650 00:30:17,382 --> 00:30:20,919 journey of our VMI community and the nation. 651 00:30:20,985 --> 00:30:24,189 Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast to follow along 652 00:30:24,189 --> 00:30:27,292 as we release new episodes. 653 00:30:27,358 --> 00:30:30,695 Follow the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics on LinkedIn, 654 00:30:30,695 --> 00:30:35,200 Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to learn more about our programs 655 00:30:35,200 --> 00:30:38,203 and events or visit our website at VMI dot EDU forward 656 00:30:38,203 --> 00:30:43,241 slash C-L-E. 657 00:30:43,308 --> 00:30:44,475 Thanks for tuning in.