A Letter to My Younger Self
What’s up kid?
You won’t believe what the next five years of your life will hold. You’re on your way to USMAPS, and you have no idea what to expect. You will quickly learn a lot about yourself and how life in the military works. The next five years will be filled with many up and downs. Throughout it all, you are going to create strong bonds and friendships. Your family and friends will be there for you no matter what, and you will be so grateful to have them.
For the first few weeks of Beast, you are going to think you made the wrong choice of school. You need to get through the first few weeks and realize how much you are going to grow here as a person. The challenges will be hard, but you will be better for it, and you will have so much support from family and friends. On top of all the military and academic challenges, you will have basketball to throw even more challenging times at you. You will have basketball to look forward to each day. Getting to spend that time with your closest friends will be some of the best memories of your time here. Working hard each day with your brothers towards a common goal. There will be some games you will never want to think about again. When the low times come, and basketball is hard, remember why you love the game and keep working hard because it will be worth it. There will also be games that will provide unforgettable moments that you will be able to share with your kids someday.
In the end, when basketball is over, you’re going to miss it so much. You only get a limited number of times to put on that jersey, so make the most of it every time. No matter what your family will come to every game and be your biggest supporters through all of the ups and downs. You will not be able to thank them enough for loving and supporting you so much. They mean more to you than they will ever know. You will also meet the love of your life and spend the next five years growing together. She will always be your biggest supporter and will always be there for you if things are not going your way
West Point will mean so much to you and you will be so grateful for every experience that it gave you. You will have no regrets about choosing to come here. You are working to be part of something that is so much bigger than yourself. You will have an impact on people’s lives in a positive way and you need to be proud of everything that you are going to accomplish. You are going to do great! Always believe in yourself and keep your head up through it all!
Chris Mann
