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VIEWPOINT OF A TEXAS CHALLENGE ACADEMY CADET
We have been at Texas ChalleNGe Academy a little over a month and things have been hectic in the bays. Everyone is still getting used to each other, and a lot of cadets miss their homes, which makes everyone tense.
We are divided into three platoons. Delta Platoon is trying its best to lock in and focus and not talk all the time. Charlie Platoon has their moments, too. One of their stronger traits is that they know when play time is over and when to lock in. The Echo Platoon has a lot of grit and perseverance. As a team they have good stability and they won our first Drill and Ceremony Competition.
TCA is a place that allows us to improve our mental and physical capabilities. We get up early, do PT, and then have chow. After that we go to school.
Some of us want to get credits and go back to school, some want to get our diplomas, and others want our GEDs. We all have a different schedule and some are really taking it seriously while others tend to get distracted.
We can’t eat without food in our stomachs, and TCA feeds us three times a day. The kitchen staff does a good job making our meals, and while we don’t get snacks throughout the day, we do get enough to get by.
We have life skills where we work on our plans for when we leave here, and this past weekend, we started service to the community. Charlie Cobra went to Special Cheers, where they helped clean up a horse farm. Delta went to Brazos Bend Park and cleaned up sticks and other debris. And finally, Echo donated blood to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center. Getting out on weekends makes our week go so much better.
TCA is tough, but it is worth it if you keep the right mindset.
