A time I felt empowered…

During my senior year of high school, I was part of an ROTC program. We were known as the Francis Lewis Patriots. Each year, the seniors are given a specific title (that we earned) through hard work, motivation and leadership. Ranging from the class leaders, also known as the platoon leader and the platoon sergeant, to the battalion commander who was like the president of the entire ROTC program. I, myself fell under the category of a captain of a staff. This title may not seem like much and the idea that it was just in high school may bring up a few laughs but the time spent on earning the role of captain was well worth it along with the little perks. It was a time I felt empowered as I walked through the halls.

When it came to the ranking in power, it was the one battalion commander that led all of us; second was the major in charge of staffs and then came the thirteen different captains which I happened to be part of. AS one of the members of the command and staff class, we were given the power to inspect the other 600 cadets in the battalion. Walking down the halls with this power was the best because everyone would try to get in a few good words to ease the tension between cadet and inspector before we got up in their faces with knowledge questions. Everyone pretty much sucked up to us. And I forgot to mention that they had to call me “sir” whenever they addressed me. I was given such an immense power as a captain. All 13 of us felt like royalty when we finally got to work as delegates rather than the participants. However, with great power came a lot of responsibilities. For example, we also partake in making their grades, tests, physical activities and the planning of all events for the battalion. Working for the three years aiming for a spot on the elite 13 (as we all called it) was the only thing worth waking up every Wednesday wearing our uniform all day through the rain or shine. Being known as Cadet Captain Kim was one moment in my life when I felt empowered.