2018 Summer--Chris

 The day began like normal with the major yelling in the Commons at 7 am the plan for
the day and that we had an hour to be ready in the field or else punishment would ensue. The exact date I do not know but all I knew that it was June and we were in some high school in Movile. For myself, I found it easier to not think about what time it was or really what day it was but rather only knowing my next assignment. However I still very fondly remember this day in great detail or rather what occured that night when the whole corps was in trouble. The time was somewhere around 10 pm and we still had about a half hour of work until we were allowed to eat, shower, and sleep which seemed like luxury then. Then the caption head decided to play a little “game” in which each of our instructors would be out on the field and watch us closely to see who was not performing to the same standard as the person next to them. To our dismay, we were all physically and mentally drained from the previous 14 hours on the field but everyone soon perked up when the instructors said that for every person who did not perform to the standard we would run a lap after drill was done. Thus the final stretch of the day began and on the very first rep we had received five laps, then next we received two more, then three more, and so forth until we accumulated about three miles worth. Finally, the clock struck 1030pm and the day was finished but the struggle was about to begin.
The caption head made us all gather in the center of the field and offered a relief option in which anyone who caused the accumulation of laps could confess now and he would deduct their lap. Sadly, only one person responded to the offer and we only had to run one less lap from the now near three-mile run. He said the lights would turn off in thirty minutes and that all three miles must be completed by then or else would miss our evening meal. As a result, we all gathered on the edge of the track and reported to our horn sergeant who would lead the run in an organized running block. The block would run in straight ranks and files during the laps and

clap every time we landed with our left foot so we ran in time and so that each member put in the same amount of effort across the corps. The staff made it extremely clear that if one person is not committed then everything we have done is a waste of time.
After the first mile or so we all began to feel sluggish and tired from already an arduous day in the fields but although the bodies of each member looked fatigue none of us would show it in out facial expressions. There was no complaining, no talking, no glancing. The rules were simple, look straight and watch your breath and file. After the next proceeding three laps, my legs began to ache and some people were slowing their pace and trying to make up for it by sprinting a little to catch up. The time then struck 10:45 pm and the horn sergeant made a decision to increase the pace which would have the effect of boosting the morale of the corps but also damaging the physical strength as a whole. We had still another four laps to go and at this point, people began to fall behind and one person dropped down to the side of the track and bent over like he was throwing up. However, we still had not eaten since five hours before and thus he did not succeed and as a result, he was ordered to get back into the block and run. Soon three more members dropped out as well going through a similar fate but without being told anything they also joined back into the block. At the time my body had gone numb already and my white shirt drenched with sweat offered no warmth in the cooling night. However, a new aura swept over the corps and the silence of the block was broken when the sergeant began to encourage others forward which in turn caused a shift in perspective for many. At that point, everyone was running for each other and the moment you got out of step or fell a little behind you just pushed harder to catch up. Soon the fatigue we all felt became bearable once more and the block became as strong as it had when it was first formed. Eventually, we all realized we were on the final lap and ready to collapse on the dirt. As the final straightaway came into sight the sergeant called “sprint” and the ranks and files broke and we all ran until we crossed

the final white line where we started. Many dropped to the ground in sheer exhaustion while the rest of us went to get water and help the people who were hurting the most. Two people passed out momentarily after the run and we called over medical staff to help them out but at last, the run was over.
That night I experienced the true meaning of commitment and how rare it is to have a group of people that will push their own limits to accomplish a goal. I spent more than two months eating sleeping and struggling with the same 150 people every day 24/7 for a little over two months and it is truly an experience I will never forget. Although this hardship was one of many over the season it left the biggest impact because it was the first time I have experienced such mentally and physically challenging rigor. That summer I was able to see what it was like to be independent because I truly was alone and thousands of miles away from home or family. I do not regret being a part of the 2018 Pacific Crest Corps at all.