July 2, 1973 a day etched forever in my mind. A day I
remember as if it happened yesterday even though 47 years have passed! A day I
thought would never come and then, when it did, would never end. It was the day
I entered West Point as a 17-year-old kid with big dreams to “become an
Airborne, Ranger, Infantryman and lead men in combat”! That was my goal in life
at that time. My life changed the moment I reported to the “Man in the Red
Sash”, a senior cadet responsible for the training of the 1400 New Cadets
entering that day with me. Less than 700 of us graduated four years later on 8 June 1977.
That hot July day began my journey to becoming a man. The
change began immediately. I reported to that senior cadet, who seem to me
bigger than life, all-powerful, and all-knowing. In many ways he and the other
First-class men (as seniors at West Point are called) were. After all, they had
survived their first year and the subsequent two that followed. They had only
one more year left and then they were free! I vividly remember thinking that my
graduation would never come. Four years were an eternity to a 17-year-old who at
that moment wasn’t sure he could make it through that day much less the two
months of intense training to follow. Those two months were appropriately
called “Beast Barracks” and I soon found out why.
“Beast Barracks” purpose was to begin the transformation
from a civilian to a soldier as well as the inculcation of the customs and traditions
of West Point. Talk about change! This was change with a capital “C”! It had
another purpose as well, to identify and eliminate any New Cadet who did not
have what it took to succeed at West Point and become an officer in the US Army.
To succeed meant being mentally, emotionally, and physically tough enough to
withstand the rigors of West Point. If one could not withstand these
artificially imposed pressures, then how could you be expected to hold up under
the most extreme of mental and physical duress - combat?
Those months epitomized change in every way possible. I
endured sleep deprivation, food denial (a very common practice at that time),
rigorous physical conditioning, hard military training, and verbal and
emotional abuse from the seniors training us. In addition, I had to memorize
massive amounts of “Plebe Knowledge” required of every New Cadet. This
information was contained in a small book we all received that first day called
“Bugle Notes”. I lost 12 pounds that
summer and I didn’t have 12 pounds to lose!
During this time of dramatic change, I was learning much
about me, about others, and about what it meant to be part of a team. Teamwork,
unity, togetherness were drilled into us until they became a part of who we
were. Expressions such as “cooperate and graduate”, “help your buddy”, “no one
left behind”, and my class motto “Esprit de Corps” were ever present. No one
successfully completes four years at West Point alone. If you do not learn how
to work with others as a team, you will not make it through.
Those four years were hard work with very little play though
when we played we played hard! Much sacrifice was required and when I graduated
and drove through those gates that last time on June 8, 1977, I was not sure
what I had been through had been worth the emotional, mental, and physical
trials I faced. I actually flipped up my rear view mirror so I would not see
even a glimpse of West Point behind me. Much change had occurred those four
years and I was not convinced all of it was good. As the years passed, bad
memories began to fade, and be replaced by better ones. Doors opened up for me
that I am convinced would never have done so without my education and training
there. I eventually realized those 4 years had been worth it.
Why do I tell you this story? Just as I went through changes
that affected my life in ways I could never imagine, each of you has gone through
times of change and continue to do so. Your own extensive medical training and
life experiences have created these changes - for the good mainly but, at
times, for the not so good. Each of you have become experts in change! No
matter what the change, no matter what the challenges ahead, you keep moving
forward because that is what you do - adapt and persevere! The ability to adapt
and persevere have helped make who you are today. Is change easy? No, but it is
critical if we are to fulfill our calling to help and serve others. Thank you
for being that person. Thank you for the sacrifices you have made and continue
to make so that our patients can receive the best care!
Andy Lamb, MD
Nice summary, Andy.
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