Hosting a West Point cadet

Back in 2009, just a few months after I arrived at Fort Hood, I hosted an ROTC cadet. I don't know why my unit was chosen for that task -- the only officers we had were second lieutenants (plus the commander) -- but I remember not having a clue what I was supposed to teach her.

Heck, I didn't even know what *my* job was; how could I be expected to show someone else? At the end, I found she'd had a miserable time, and I felt bad. Though I'd followed through on the guidance I had gotten, I think my company commander should have given me more specific advice on what the expectations were.

In April, news came to the unit that we'd be hosting a West Point cadet, and I volunteered to be the sponsor. In part, I wanted to make up for such a rotten time the previous cadet had. The other part is that I have a lot more experience now.

This month makes three years since I first arrived at Fort Hood. I've been a platoon leader both in garrison and while deployed, and now I'm an executive officer. I'm still figuring things out, but I have a little bit more of a clue now.

There's still one question I have, though -- why is my whole chain of command emphasizing the need for him to learn about platoon leadership? Looking back at my own platoon leader years, I don't see how three weeks are going to make much of a difference.

But I guess that's one of those things I have yet to learn.