A Letter to My Younger Self
Wait until you see where your journey takes you! Prepare to be pleasantly surprised! Remember one thing—trust in God’s plan. There will be many highs and lows but take it one step at a time.
Your West Point experience will not be easy. Often, you will question why you took the road you did and whether you can succeed both physically and mentally. The most important thing to remember is the unconditional love and support that you will receive from your family, amazing friends, and even the love of your life. They will be beside you every day, not always in the physical sense, but you will sense their presence even on the hardest ruck or while taking TEEs. Their positive prayers, thoughts and words will carry you and help you to believe in yourself at the hardest times.
During hard times there will be tears but take one hurdle at a time. Another important thing for you to realize is that it is worth it. Those difficult times will force you to grow more than you can imagine. Know that the Leadership at West Point is stretching you to your limits so that you develop and become more confident in yourself every day. Know this because it may not seem that way at the time. Have patience, it will happen.
Basketball will be your safe space. You will live in the gym practicing for hours. Plan to be driven by your teammates to achieve your goals. You will have good games where you feel on top of the world and in the same week have a horrible game and feel the lowest low. If you ever consider quitting think about the people back home that love you. They never quit on you or your dreams, so don’t quit on making them proud. Be thankful for the coaches that have believed in you, pushed you, and given you the opportunity to lead both on and off the court. In the end, you will be proof to yourself, family, coaches, and teammates that “Hard work really does pay off.” The sense of comradery and love that you will have for your team and basketball career will be with you forever and you will miss it!
In the end, you will be proof to yourself, your family, your coaches, and your teammates that “Hard work really does pay off.”
As you progress to your Firstie year you will feel your confidence as a leader growing and as graduation looms you will feel so ready to commission and start your journey as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Finally, remember who you are, the kind, sensitive, “people” person that you have always been. Remember to be a light for those around you. Ensure that individuals around you feel loved and cared for because they will do the same for you. Natalie Lynne Rhine, the Army has a place for you to thrive and lead others!
-Natalie Rhine, West Point Class of 2023