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