PG life

Living with twenty two girls is hard. Trying to run them is even harder. I was awarded the position of the first Platoon Guide for Echo for the spring 2023 semester. Prior to becoming the platoon guide, I was a squad leader, meaning I was in charge of four other girls.

We do not know if we get elected into leadership. This is announced on Mondays during our Award Ceremony. I am not going to lie. I do have a strong leadership personality, and although I had hoped to become the first PG, I was not sure if I would be selected.

When I was announced as the Platoon Guide for Echo, I freaked out a bit and was scared and stressed. I received the golden cord, knowing that for the next two weeks, I was to take care of and meet the needs of twenty one other ladies and myself.

The hardest part for me was calling the marching steps and beginning on the right foot. One day, I was sitting in class a few days before our drill and ceremony competition, and it occurred to me that I had no idea who was to march us.

I asked our team leader and she said that I had to do it. So I freaked once again, knowing that we only had four days to prepare. So for the next four days we practiced at least twice a day.

When the DNC came, we marched as if we were the only ones left on the earth, and the only sound besides our boots was my voice calling out the steps. When were we done, we did amazing. Everyone, including some of the guys in Charlie and Delta, was cheering for us.

We did our best to prepare, but Delta Platoon did even better, and they deserved to win the ribbon. Even though we didn’t win the ribbon, I was proud of each and every girl in our platoon. The day of the DNC was my last day as platoon guide. Now, a good friend of mine has the yellow rope, and I have to follow her lead. I am glad that I am able to give her advice.

At the end of the day, I learned a lot about myself and my leadership abilities while I was the PG. I also learned that everyone has a choice whether to follow instructions or not. Our job is just to guide them as best we can.

When I graduate from TCA with my diploma, I want to spend some time with the best family that I could have gotten and then I plan to join the Air Force.