Gymaniac

Woah. This is it. Just heard the plebes call the 10th minute for Graduation Parade Formation. For me. Graduation is tomorrow morning and I'll finally be the one sitting down on the field. Where did the time go?! It's so crazy to think back over the last 4 years and everything that has happened. I've done more than I ever thought I would do; seen things I'd never thought I'd get to see; and met people who have made a profound impact on my life and will be those friends you never forget about. Graduation has seemed like such a far off event at West Point. Sitting way up in the stands at the stadium, just dreaming about the day that you'd be down there throwing your hat in the air. Well, that day is tomorrow. There's such a mix of emotions going on today and tonight--I still don't think it's completely sunk it. I'm so excited to be able to call myself a college graduate, a West Point Alum, and a 2LT in the greatest Army in the world. I'm nervous because this is my first steps into a new chapter of my life. New home, new job, and new dreams and ambitions waiting to be realized and seized. This past year especially has been one heck of a roller coaster. From going through a year of "lasts", to finally retiring from the sport that has been my life for 16 years, to the ups and downs of applying to medical school-it's all some of the most challenging but also the most rewarding years of my life. God has done some truly spectacular things in my life these past few days and I can only thank Him for being with me throughout this journey over the past 4 years. He's taught me so much and is still teaching me things today. Just goes to show you that West Point is the only place to learn from here) In less than 24 hours I'll be having the infamous waffles and ice-cream breakfast and getting ready to walk into Michie Stadium. Receiving that diploma and commission are the crowning jewels of the 47 month experience that is West Point. That hat will be thrown in the air, and then its off to change into those Army Blues for the first time as a commissioned officer. I cannot wait for tomorrow- to spend it with my family- and to venture into the next chapter of my life and what God has in store for me. Well that's it folks. The official last post of Cadet Chase Brown. The next one will come with a shorter (albeit more impressive) surname. As soon as things wind down and I can settle down away from West Point - I'll post again about the day and the road ahead. ...AND THE FIRST CLASS IS SO SHORT!

113 Days....That's it. It blows my mind to think that we are nearing 100th Night and our last hurdle until graduation. Military careers are decided as of last night and the 4 years of uncertainty about where we would end up is finally gone. I'm in a bit of a unique situation but I remain confident that my Med School aspirations ARE going to come to fruition. I've been presented with two amazing career possibilities for myself after graduation. My #1 possibility is attending LSU Medical School this fall to start my career as an Army Doctor. After months of waiting, uncertainty, hardship, and being told no, things are finally coming together and the ball is rolling once again. I have made it through the first two stages of application and am heading to New Orleans in March for my official interview- and I couldn't be more excited! I can't think of anything that I've wanted more in life and to see these things coming together is amazing. So graduating West Point in May, packing up and heading back down South to move into an apartment in New Orleans to start Med School sounds like heaven. Still hoping and praying for this to work its way out and that my dream will be realized!

Option #2 is just as exciting. If for some reason Med School doesn't work out, I will commission as a 2LT in the Military Intelligence Branch of the Army. Last night the class of 2012 selected their first duty assignment and accompanying unit. I was able to get my first choice to join the Aviation Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in Ft. Hood, Texas! To be attached as an intelligence officer to an Aviation Brigade sounds like an awesome job and if this is where I am meant to be, I cannot wait!





It's so crazy to see all of this coming together, I remember being a plebe and watching the firsties get their branch and post and had no idea that it would be me this soon! It's flown by but been such a great journey. I wouldn't trade these last four years for anything. They've definitely had their ups and downs but overall its been a great experience and something I'll have with me for the rest of my life.

I was in the middle of getting ready for bed but couldn't shake a thought out of my mind. Not too sure why it is on my mind all of the sudden but I'm sure God is speaking to me and trying to let me know something. I haven't blogged about this yet but something happened this summer that I never expected I would have to deal with so soon. I spent five weeks this summer here at West Point as a Platoon Leader for Cadet Basic Training. A little less than a week after finishing my leadership detail and flying home to start my long awaited summer vacation, I got a call from one of my CBT squad leaders. He told me that one of our New Cadets died during Land Navigation training. The thought of a New Cadet at West Point dying during Basic Training was probably the furthest thought from my mind and something I thought was highly unlikely to ever occur. One of my own, one of the brilliant, hardworking and dedicated young men who had made the same decision as myself to serve our nation had passed away only 3 weeks from finishing his basic training. I couldn't wrap my mind around the thought. The instant flood of several emotions was evident. Sadness, confusion, disbelief, hurt, guilt, all hitting me at once. How did this happen? What caused it? Was there something that we could have done to prevent it while I was in charge? Was it something I did while in charge? All of these questions plague my mind for the next several days as I impatiently wait for details to surface about the situation and what exactly happened. The situation ended up being accidental and not a cause of anyone or any particular action. One uncertainty was resolved but that did not remedy the fact that it had happened. You always hear about soldiers and officers losing peers, superiors, and subordinates in combat and how hard it is to deal with, and because it seems so distant I guess we don't think on it too much as Cadets. This situation really opened my mind to the reality and gravity of the situation and how difficult it can be to handle and deal with. It is something that does not receive much attention here at the Academy and left me and my CBT chain of command at a loss for words or actions on the situation and how to react to it.

I still couldn't seem to figure out why he was on my mind last night. It was almost nagging at me, asking me to give attention to the thought but I didn't know how or why. It is so amazing how God works. I, at a loss for words and further explanation, abandoned the post last night at the end of the previous paragraph. I told myself I'd come back to it when I've had more time to think about it. I was just about to go to bed again tonight when I decided to check my Facebook one last time before shutting the computer down and there it was, black and white, right in front of me. My mom, 30 minutes ago, posted the following on her FB which subsequently showed up on my news feed.



I firmly believe that this was exactly the reason why Jacob was on my mind. It was hard for me to understand WHY Jacob was taken so soon. WHY someone so honest, hardworking, and strong in his faith could be the taken suddenly away from this Earth. This verse lays it out plain and simple. God has a plan for everyone and everything. God was protecting Jacob from the evils of this world and what is to come. Jacob no longer has to deal with the evil and pain and suffering of this world. He is at peace and spending his eternity with our Lord in heaven. I was almost in shock when I read my mom's post, although I shouldn't at all be surprised. God had a reason for putting Jacob on my mind and for my mom posting that verse. It is so we do not forget His unyielding love and desire for His people to be at peace. It is so those of us still here on Earth don't forget why we are here and what we have been called to do. It is our purpose to serve Him wholeheartedly and to be His hands and feet to the world around us so that everyone would have the chance to be apart of the everlasting peace that is in Jesus Christ.

Jacob, you are still on my mind. You have not been forgotten. You will never be forgotten. It was an honor to be able to work with you and get to know you for what little time it was. You have made an impression on me and those around you that will remain with us always.

Wow...has it really been 3 years? It's funny to look back and see that I've posted an entry at this time for the last two years. But man, three years of college down? It doesn't seem like its been that long at all.


Here's a snapshot at what my graduation tracker looks like today. It's so nice to be able to see so much more beach than snow. So much has happened this year and there is so much that is about to happen. I've ordered my class ring which I'll get in August; I've got my cow loan ($35,000); and I've got my car (finally!). Cow year was exciting but there is a lot to look forward to now. I am spending my first three weeks of summer at Walter Reed doing Physician Shadowing. I am going to be a Platoon Leader for Cadet Basic Training, finally on the flip side of the most memorable summer of my life. Then, on leave for the last block, I get to take the MCAT in preparation for application to be accepted into the Medical School Program here at West Point. It's going to be a busy summer but also extremely rewarding. Med School Program selections get made in September, and I am praying that I get accepted. That is what I truly want to do and feel like I should be doing. I'll prepare as best I can and leave the rest up to God and His plan for my life.

Firstie year is just a few short months away. One more year of college, and one more year of college gymnastics. That last one is a scary thought. Knowing that the one thing that I have done almost my entire life is about to come to a close is very bitter-sweet. I'll definitely never leave the sport fully but I am definitely going to miss it. I have every intention with making next years competition season something remarkable and I think we are all ready to do it as a team. It's time for Army Gymnastics to retake our place in the spot light.

So much to look forward to in this coming year, its exciting. I'm ready.

Last night, at about 11:00pm, it was announced that the US Military had successfully lead an attack that ended in the death of Osama bin Laden. This is going to another one of those days where I will never forget where I was when I heard the news. The only other day that stands out like this one was September 11, 2001, the day that the World Trade Centers were attacked and nearly 3,000 innocent Americans were killed by a plan crafted by bin Laden. That day was truly one I will never forget. Sitting in my 5th grade Math class with Ms. Roddy, I remember the principal coming over the PA system telling us what had happened. I went home from school and watched the rest of the day unfold like some horror story. The images and reactions from that day is something that will never leave me. It has now been nearly 10 years since that day. 10 years of the US Military painstakingly searching for the man responsible for these attacks. For years he was somehow able to escape capture and it seemed that we would never find them. But if there is one thing that I know now, it is in the determination and persistence of our military. The men and women of the US armed forces never gave up, and never lost sight of the mission at hand. Their dedication to the mission and years of hard work were finally rewarded yesterday. Seeing this and understanding what took place only affirms my belief and love for the US Military and makes me even prouder to be a part of it now. I am honored to be a part of such a dedicated and loyal profession that will stop at nothing to keep its word to the American public to ensure that we stay safe and enjoy the freedom that we often take for granted. I am proud to be a member of the US Army and a citizen of this great nation.

Being able to share this moment here at West Point with my fellow cadets was also something I will never forget. To see and hear the excitement around the Corps last night was unlike anything I have seen. Between the cheers, the singing, and excitement of the night, it was apparent that we were all extremely proud of our fellow service members and praising their continued hard work and persistence in this on-going battle. We are all eager to go out and serve our country as they are and cannot wait to be a part of such a great and honorable profession.

...try, try, again. Never has that saying been so true for me. This afternoon I got the official word that I have qualified on the Floor Exercise to compete at the 2011 NCAA National Championships. Making it to this competition is something I have dreamed about since I was a kid; wishing that someday I would be good enough to compete at such an amazing competition. My first NCAA championships to watch was in 2006 in Oklahoma. I was there for Regionals and we were able to go watch the college competition. Now, 5 years later, I'll be the one competing. Crazy.

The gymnastics road to where I am today was far from easy. My college career has been FULL of ups and downs. Really high highs, and REALLY low lows. Having such a close team and close group of friends and family has been one of the strongest factors I've had to rely on to get me through those hard times and to keep me pushing for that goal. Broken hand plebe year was a huge setback, but I was able to recover and push forward. Leg injuries yuk year seemed to plague my entire season, I didn't think the pain would go away. Still, I was able to push through and continue on. Finally cow year, a season that still had its ups and downs, was something completely different. (More or less) Pain/Injury free, consistent, and a serious competitor all year long. It felt good to be consistent again, hitting the skills and routines that I knew I could do. All the hard work is paying off; I have reached my goal and am looking forward to expanding on that goal next week in Columbus, Ohio.

If at first you don't succeed, try , try again. Definitely words to live by.

This is a subject that I've been trying to write about for a while now, but just couldn't really find the words to put down for it. This last semester has been one of the most difficult and trying times of my life, spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically but it is minuscule compared to what my teammate Andrew has gone through. His attitude, determination and will to succeed has been a driving force that has propelled me to work even harder and has taught me to never give up, no matter what the circumstances. Gymnastics as a sport is inherently dangerous, and we practice this sport under that realization. It still blows my mind to see and know how quickly things can happen in this sport, both good and bad. One of my close friends and teammates, Andrew Avelino, suffered an injury that has become something that no one ever expected. Moved between three different hospitals during the days and weeks after his injury, information was slow and scattered about his condition and what plans of action were being taken. I did my best to stay in contact with Andrew, through text message, to let him know that we were all praying for him and to get updates as I could from him. We heard from him and the coaches, some of the scenarios that could possibly happen but prayed for an alternative.The morning I received a text message from Andrew saying what the doctors had decided to amputate his foot was the last thing I ever expected to see on the screen of my phone. As I quickly opened the message before class my mind and body went numb. I couldn't believe that what I was reading was true, it couldn't be. I sat through the next 55 minutes of class my mind and heart racing, not knowing what to think or say to him. What do you say? As soon as class was over I hurried back to my room and picked up the phone, I had to talk to someone or I might just lose it. I quickly called my mom and as soon as she picked up the phone I lost it. Every emotion I had experienced throughout those past 3 weeks, fear, nervousness, worry, guilt all came out at once as I told my mom what I had just seen on the screen from Andrew. Sitting in my room, one the phone with my mom, barely able to get a word out, tears rolling down my face was one of the most difficult things I have had to experience. I can only look up to Andrew, who throughout this entire situation has been nothing but strong, positive, and encouraging to the rest of us; he truly is an inspiration and the embodiment of such a strong character that I can only hope to have.

My teammates and I had a really hard time coping with Andrew's situation but through prayer, faith, and a strong bond of friendship and family have been able to get one another through this hard time and continue to strive toward our team goals with a new motivation to reach them.

During hard situations, you always hear people say that everything happens for a reason. I'm not going to lie, I had my doubts about that phrase during this last semester. How could something so bad, happen to such a good person? I just couldn't rationalize it in my head. It took a lot of prayers and time alone thinking to really realize that everything does happen for a reason, and while we may not see it now, God works in mysterious and miraculous ways that will ultimately find their way into existence.

Andrew, I am still amazed at your determination and attitude, you have really shown me what it means to be strong. I wish only the best for you, because you deserve it, and can't wait to have you back at the Academy and on the team with us. Stay strong and Smash Hard!