Reeves Reflection: My 25 mile road march

At age 17, I hadn’t accomplished anything in the world. At least, in my eyes, I didn’t think I had done anything. So, when given the chance to go to Army Basic Training, I truly felt I was doing something significant. I was completely unaware of any of the obstacles or challenges in front of me. I was constantly worried that I was ‘one day removed’ from getting kicked out. It’s not that I was failing anything. It was because I was terrified about the unknown.

So, when faced with the task of a 25 mile road march, my mind couldn’t process that type of reality. At this point, I had already learned a lot. I had never fired a weapon (I learned how to shoot an M16). I had never even seen a grenade (learned how to throw one). And this whole concept of a gas chamber? What is THAT about? I had passed all of those obstacles.

And now, I was faced with another challenge. A 25 mile road march with more gear on my body that I actually weighed. I had a fully packed ruck sack. I had a helmet. I was carrying two canteens of water. I had two magazines for my M16. I was carrying my M16. And I had my MRE (Meal Ready to Eat). And for the next 10 hours, I was ROCKING!

At the end of the journey, I was covered in sweat carrying two canteens of hot water and I was about 10 pounds lighter. However, I made the journey. And in life, sometimes, it’s just about completing the journey.

Reeves Reflection: My 25 mile road march 07/16 by The Honorable Anthony Reeves | Personal Journals: Sometimes, we often overlook our own individual milestones and accomplishments. However, it's important to remember that these moments can have impacts on others. One of my milestones was enduring a 25 mile road march when I was in Basic Training in the Army

Comments

Why I’m Not Trying to Make New Friends After 40 (And Why That’s Okay)

Intro: We’ve all heard someone say, “I’m not trying to make new friends.” On the surface, it can sound antisocial or dismissive. But if you’re in your 40s or beyond, that phrase starts to carry a whole new weight. It’s not about shutting people out—it’s about recognizing the power of relationships that have been built over decades. Listen to the Full Podcast Below: Listen to "Friends After 40: Why Your Circle Shrinks But Grows Deep" on Spreaker. Friends from the Beginning of Adulthood Friendships you start in your teens or early 20s come with a different energy. These are the people who were there during your first job, first apartment, first heartbreak, first real success. They were becoming adults alongside you. By the time you reach 40, something strange and powerful happens: You’ve now known those friends longer than you haven’t. That changes everything. Why Foundational Friendships Hit Different at 40+ Friendships at this stage aren’t casual. They’ve survive...

The Crossroad Before Confidence: How Struggling Through College Taught Me More Than Grades Ever Could

When people talk about college, they often focus on the success story — the dream school, the scholarships, the 4.0 GPA. That wasn’t my story. I didn’t attend the University of Tampa because it was my first choice. I went there because I wanted to prove something — to a high school professor who didn’t think much of me. I turned down opportunities that made more financial sense, including a potential ROTC scholarship, for a private school that offered me just a small leadership grant. I told myself I’d make it work. What I didn’t realize then was that this wasn’t just a college experience. It was the first crossroad in my life — the one that taught me how to keep moving even when confidence was nowhere in sight. Surviving, Not Thriving When I got to campus, my finances were a patchwork of faith and luck — a Pell Grant, a leadership award, and a loan co-signed by my grandmother. I didn’t have backup. I didn’t have a plan. By the end of my first semester, I was already debating whe...

The Danger wasn’t always clear: Navigating Racism as Black Generation X

On July 16, 2025, I posted a video short titled “Black Generation X: The Danger Wasn’t Always Clear.” That post came from a deeply personal place. Growing up as part of Generation X meant stepping into environments where the rules around race and safety weren’t always obvious. When I was younger, my family shielded me from the harshest realities. I lived in communities where I was nurtured and protected. I was also part of the first wave of kids who went from kindergarten through high school entirely in desegregated schools. In that space, I don’t recall any overt instances of racism or bigotry. And while that was a blessing, it also left me unprepared—because I didn’t know what danger looked like when it wasn’t wearing a hood or shouting slurs. Once I left home, the uncertainty began. The Barber Who “Couldn’t” \When I arrived at the University of Tampa in the fall of 1987, I needed a haircut before starting ROTC training. I had just completed Army training that summer, so I was ...

The Anthony Reeves Experience

Search This Blog