Comments on: NEW Story: Shades of Gray

By: nline music

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By: WPCadet

WPCadet — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 06:31:39 +0000

Nick,

Thanks for this inspiring article! I’m entering my cow, or junior year, at the academy. I’ve often thought of quitting because I have seen the institution fail, not only me, but many cadets. Cadets who would have been great, caring officers. I’m glad to know that you persevered through all the bullshit, and it has put the academy experience into perspective for me.

Hope the army continues to treat you well, man!

By: MSG Cavalry

MSG Cavalry — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:52:44 +0000

As a former TAC NCO that story warms my heart, that there are officers out there that understand the true nature of the Insane Asylum on the Hudson. I hope that my efforts produced at least few of the good officers you described.

By: SatinPatriot

SatinPatriot — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:27:05 +0000

Nick, you are the quintessential Warrior in my mind. Your writing always underscores the reasons I have for loving your caste, even while highlighting some of the absurdities.

Blessings.
L~

By: Mes'

Mes' — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:02:10 +0000

Great article!!!
Some of the best guys in my Ranger School class were fresh out of USMA.
That last line? You gotta love a happy ending!!!!
Hoofuckingah!!

By: Falshrmjgr

Falshrmjgr — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:25:26 +0000

He was a blackbird bro, not a snowbird

AATW

By: Casey

Casey — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:30:37 +0000

This story holds true even here at Norwich University. There are cadets, officers, and a few rare NCOs who would eat their children if it meant getting ahead. But just like at West Point there are the good and bad of both here too. The life lesson both places learn is to put up with the bull and drive on.

By: Ken

Ken — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 06:13:04 +0000

To say this hits home for me is the understatement of the century. Right now my cynicism for the Air Force Academy is sky high and it’s hard as hell to want to stay here. But, as Nick said, I can’t imagine my life without this place. Nick, thank you. The service needs more men like you and SFC Kickass to put these kinds of lessons into leader’s heads so we have less Cadet Xs become officers. I’ve seen too many good potential officers get crucified or kicked out by power tripping cadets, officers and NCOs here. So Nick thanks again. I don’t feel so completely wrong now, even if I might not be one hundred percent right.

By: Hank

Hank — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:14:23 +0000

Good luck Mike. BTW my brother-in-law Matt Wallerstedt is one of your football coaches. Anything you can take with you from the school of Nick is good stuff.

Semper Fi, Hank

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:38:19 +0000

I am getting ready to graduate from the Air Force Academy, and this is a great story of Academy life. This is the shit that goes on every single day. There are the people that realize what is important in life and worry about the things that will make them a better leader and do things that actually make sense. Then there are the guys that follow every single rule no matter what situation is or if the rule is completely stupid and makes no sense. I believe that rules are there for a reason and that they should be followed, but I also believe that an officer, or officer to be, should have the balls to stand up and say something when they believe that something is wrong. I have been screwed over my fair share while being here, although never as bad as in this story, and I have learned a lot about the officer that I do not want to be. I have also had a few encounters with officers that I thought were great and that I will always try to model my behavior around. The cynicism runs rampant here and things like this that happen are the reason why. Thank you for writing this story and hopefully at least a few officers or cadets out there will read it and realize that the most important things about being an officer are taking care of your people and doing what is right at all times even if it means standing up for something that will not make you look like the perfect officer to your superiors. Thanks again and keep the stories coming.