A Letter to My Younger Self
Tom Katsenes
In reflecting back on the past four years spent at West Point, I am now realizing that they were truly the best times of my life.
Although these four years brought me to my lowest of lows and my highest of highs, every peak and valley was certainly worthwhile; and I am going to miss the Academy, the golf team, and my friends dearly.
If I were able to rewind the tape and give my plebe year self some advice, it would be to appreciate the people around you, take your role seriously, and enjoy every moment you are in. These three pieces of advice transcend through every part of my life at West Point.
Appreciate the People Around You
You will meet the greatest and most impactful people in your life at West Point. Your instructors, TACs, and coaches will be combat veterans, regarded as heroes by many they have served with. They will be the smartest people you ever encounter, all with a unique ability to display their intelligence while remaining humble. They will always make time for you. Your friends will be your brothers and sisters for life. Develop these relationships and invest in them daily.
You will start to collect a running list of names that become used daily. Seek to emulate the leadership shown by men like Spencer Clouatre, Michael Sheehan, Matthew Arevian, Chad Bagley, Ryan Swisher, Casey Williams, Robert Craig, Joe Vanderlip, and Stein Thorbeck.
Strive to learn as much as possible from people like Rachel Sondheimer, Scott Limbocker, Clyde Daines, AJ Glubzinski, Winston Williams, Dallas Gilmore, and Nathan Zinsser. Be a good teammate for people like Nick Turner, James McKee, Justin Williamson, Dragon Theam, and Patrick Song.
Be a mentor for people like Christian Litton, Jordan Fredericks, Dawson Stec, Matt De Frates, and Mark Bobinski. Learn to give your all for guys like Alex Denha, Henry Thompson, Frank La Torre, Mitch Gilley, Ryan Spencer, Matt Bassette, Aiden Roberts, and Andrew Morrison. Learn that comparison is the thief of joy and ultimately, everyone is chasing the same goal.
These will all be the greatest people you meet in your life, do not take them for granted.
Take Your Role Seriously
No matter what any other Cadet tells you, it is cool to excel. Whether that be in the classroom, out at summer training, or in the barracks mentoring others. Do not push this responsibility aside. Readiness does not come in hindsight. Take your classes seriously. Take your summer training seriously. Take your physical training seriously. But when you fail, and you most assuredly will, do not pass up an opportunity to laugh at yourself.
On the golf course you represent more than yourself. You represent your family name, the Army Golf family, the Academy, and the United States Army. Act accordingly. Always put things in perspective, there are many people that would trade places with you in a heartbeat.
Doing poorly on a test, not maxing a physical fitness test, or playing a bad round of golf does not define you. If you are able to look yourself in the mirror every day and say “I gave it my all” then that is simply all you can ask for. However, if you cannot say that, take a step back, re-evaluate, and re-engage with new priorities. Never sacrifice performance for breaches in character. Character is all you have to fall back on at the end of the day.
Never sacrifice performance for breaches in character. Character is all you have to fall back on at the end of the day.
Take In Every Moment
Even in the winter times, West Point still provides moments of sheer beauty. There are small instances in which a thick layer of snow has covered the plain and surrounding trees, and just for a moment there is no wind and a sense of calm settles down around cadet area. It is moments like these I will miss the most. Towards the end of school year, as the weather finally takes a turn for the better and the days last longer, cadets make their way out to the plain for games of spike ball and frisbee or just to enjoy a meal with friends. It is moments like these I will miss most.
As the school year morphs into summer training and cadets make their way out to Camp Buckner, you will find yourself contemplating every decision you have ever made that led you to the patrol base you currently find yourself in as you pull watch in the wee hours of the morning. As the sun rises you will get a quick break from the monotony of staring down the sights of a rifle and friends will surround you as you all trade stories of what happened that previous night. These are the moments I will miss the most.
As you transition to the golf season, you will have the opportunity to view all America has to offer. From the oceans of Hawaii to the sand dunes of North Carolina to the arid desert of Arizona, these are the places I will miss the most.
As you play your way through the practice rounds that feel like they will never end or the 36-hole days that seem to span a lifetime, take the time to look around and wave at your teammates or coaches, talk to your playing partners, and every once in a while, turn around and enjoy the scenery. These are the rounds I will miss the most.
Interactions with members at courses like Seminole, Pine Valley, and Sleepy Hollow are the conversations I will miss the most. Meals at the cadet mess with the men of Army golf spent trying to figure what the plebes are talking about are the times I will miss the most.
As you come into your final year at West Point, nostalgia will overcome you at random times throughout the year. At early morning formations just in time to see the sun rise. At the end of practice rounds, watching the rest of the team walk into the sunset. On slow jogs through flirty walk and up to the radio tower. On ruck marches through the Buckner training area that reveal themselves to fantastic views from mountain tops.
Don’t fight this nostalgia, let it overcome you. Before you know it, all of it will be gone.
- Tom Katsenes, West Point Class of 2022