Epaulets and Epithets
In a new chapter in Pat’s life, he has taken the oath of office as a Second Lieutenant in the Army of the United States. He isn’t sure how the Army is going utilize his services, but will find out if he got his first choice of jobs in the Army.
Pat and I have have known each other since high school. We were both active in J.R.O.T.C. and he eventually followed me to CWU. Pat wanted to join the R.O.T.C. program at Central but was unable. It wasn’t until Pat was almost done with his degree that the Wild Cat Battalion accepted him and his willingness to serve his country. He stayed at Central for an additional two years getting his minor in history and military science in order to complete the R.O.T.C. program.
He was suppose to go to his month of evaluation and training (also known as Warrior Forge) last summer but was injured and had to postpone until this summer. He has completed his training and only has to wait for his orders. Pat, in all likelihood, will beat me into the active duty Army. Pat has taken the long and hard road into the Army and his journey has only begun. He deserves to be commended and I hope that those he leads appreciate the path he has taken to get to his position.
When Pat came to CWU, I invited him to go to Campus Ambassadors. He showed a little interest but it was a few months before he joined us. He eventually started coming regularly and we started meeting one-on-one. You would have to ask him how beneficial that our time was. Eventually, I graduated and moved on to Mars Hill Graduate School, but Pat kept meeting with Matt. A few years later Pat was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church, which I was fortunate enough to attend.
About a week ago Pat called me and invited me to come down to Ft. Lewis to give him his oath so, of course, I couldn’t turn him down. I am glad I could do this for Pat and I feel honored that he asked me to do it.
