A year ago, I was in Germany. September 9, 2008 was probably one of the best days of my life. IT was the day I sang Gretchen am Sprinnrade in the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. That day will forever be etched in my memory reminding me of how great God truly is and what beautiful gifts He gives to us.
Fast forward to today, September 9th, 2009. I surprisingly got to sing this song again, for much different reasons, but incredible nonetheless!
You need a little back story (This is something I should have shared quite a while ago, but wasn't confident enough for it to be real. It is completely real now!):
I'm joining the Army. And yes! I'm being serious!
About two months ago, my dad and I were talking about what I was doing with my life. I offhandedly made a joke about joining the Army. He wrote me a few days later and said I should really look into it. I'd wanted to join since before college, but instead, did the whole school and life thing. I don't regret it one bit! I did always wonder, though, "what could have been?"
I did a ton of research, decided I wanted to become an Officer and attend Officer's Candidate School (OCS), then talked with a recruiter. I knew, walking in there, that I was a go on this. We set up a time for me to take the ASVAB (the entrance exam) on which I scored phenomenally. After that it was the physical, which I passed. You'll be happy to know I'm not pregnant, and I still have 20/20 vision. But can I just say it was also one of the most awkward things I've ever gone through! Through all this, I was doing a mound of paper work that included writing an essay on "Why I want to be an Army Officer", getting recommendation letters, filling out a 25-page application for a national security position, having background and credit checks run, and collecting my school transcripts, diplomas, and birth certificate.
The only thing left was the OCS Board: an interview with three Officers who either recommend you to attend OCS, or do not recommend you. The board was today.
I was nervous all last night and as I was getting ready this morning, but when I arrived at the Battalion Command, I settled down. I actually do like interviews, so I wasn't too worried. The hard part was the waiting. There were thirteen candidates and I was the very last one. Each interview took about 30-45 minutes and WOW was it a long day! But it was finally my turn and I went in.
Sitting at the table were Major Robinson, a twenty year female Officer, the head of the board and who would give the final approval, Captain Rodriguez, a younger male Officer, and Captain Colbert, a 21 year male Officer.
They asked me to sit down, tell them a little about myself and why I wanted to be an Officer. They asked a few physical fitness questions, a few job related questions, a few travel questions... Then Captain Colbert asked me what I was most proud of in the last five years. I thought for a moment and said my senior recital. I worked so hard for some of the most beautiful pieces of music, and I loved every second of it.
Then, and here is the kicker, Major Robinson asked me to sing something for them. I really thought she was kidding and looked to the two Captains who gave me no guidance. I asked "You really want me to sing?!?!?!?" And she said yes, if I'm so proud of my degree and working hard on my recital, she wanted to hear it. After the initial shock wore off, I stood up and sang.
Gretchen am Spinnrade didn't sound quite as glorious as it did in Bayreuth but it was still one of those moments I will never forget. I finished and the Major said, "Do you know what that tells me? You may have thought that it was a silly request to do that, but what it showed me is that you are confident, energetic, able to think quickly, make snap decisions, and those are all attributes we look for in an Officer."
There were other things that went were asked and said, but I think the song is what did it for them. Major Robinson gave me the highest grade of recommendation to attend OCS and wished me her very best. It really was one of the most
incredible days.
I still can't believe all this is happening, but I am so proud of myself and sooooooooooo excited to see where I am going. I finally feel like I may be finding my niche in life. So it took me a little longer, but I think it's going to be awesome! Next up is signing my name on the dotted line, being sworn in as a Soldier, and finding out my ship date for Basic Training. EEK!
And I would like to thank Franz Schubert for writing such an incredible song that means so much to the happenings in my life. Who knew it could travel with me to so many places? And who knows where it might take me next.
Read on here.
Fast forward to today, September 9th, 2009. I surprisingly got to sing this song again, for much different reasons, but incredible nonetheless!
You need a little back story (This is something I should have shared quite a while ago, but wasn't confident enough for it to be real. It is completely real now!):
I'm joining the Army. And yes! I'm being serious!
About two months ago, my dad and I were talking about what I was doing with my life. I offhandedly made a joke about joining the Army. He wrote me a few days later and said I should really look into it. I'd wanted to join since before college, but instead, did the whole school and life thing. I don't regret it one bit! I did always wonder, though, "what could have been?"
I did a ton of research, decided I wanted to become an Officer and attend Officer's Candidate School (OCS), then talked with a recruiter. I knew, walking in there, that I was a go on this. We set up a time for me to take the ASVAB (the entrance exam) on which I scored phenomenally. After that it was the physical, which I passed. You'll be happy to know I'm not pregnant, and I still have 20/20 vision. But can I just say it was also one of the most awkward things I've ever gone through! Through all this, I was doing a mound of paper work that included writing an essay on "Why I want to be an Army Officer", getting recommendation letters, filling out a 25-page application for a national security position, having background and credit checks run, and collecting my school transcripts, diplomas, and birth certificate.
The only thing left was the OCS Board: an interview with three Officers who either recommend you to attend OCS, or do not recommend you. The board was today.
I was nervous all last night and as I was getting ready this morning, but when I arrived at the Battalion Command, I settled down. I actually do like interviews, so I wasn't too worried. The hard part was the waiting. There were thirteen candidates and I was the very last one. Each interview took about 30-45 minutes and WOW was it a long day! But it was finally my turn and I went in.
Sitting at the table were Major Robinson, a twenty year female Officer, the head of the board and who would give the final approval, Captain Rodriguez, a younger male Officer, and Captain Colbert, a 21 year male Officer.
They asked me to sit down, tell them a little about myself and why I wanted to be an Officer. They asked a few physical fitness questions, a few job related questions, a few travel questions... Then Captain Colbert asked me what I was most proud of in the last five years. I thought for a moment and said my senior recital. I worked so hard for some of the most beautiful pieces of music, and I loved every second of it.
Then, and here is the kicker, Major Robinson asked me to sing something for them. I really thought she was kidding and looked to the two Captains who gave me no guidance. I asked "You really want me to sing?!?!?!?" And she said yes, if I'm so proud of my degree and working hard on my recital, she wanted to hear it. After the initial shock wore off, I stood up and sang.
Gretchen am Spinnrade didn't sound quite as glorious as it did in Bayreuth but it was still one of those moments I will never forget. I finished and the Major said, "Do you know what that tells me? You may have thought that it was a silly request to do that, but what it showed me is that you are confident, energetic, able to think quickly, make snap decisions, and those are all attributes we look for in an Officer."
There were other things that went were asked and said, but I think the song is what did it for them. Major Robinson gave me the highest grade of recommendation to attend OCS and wished me her very best. It really was one of the most
incredible days. I still can't believe all this is happening, but I am so proud of myself and sooooooooooo excited to see where I am going. I finally feel like I may be finding my niche in life. So it took me a little longer, but I think it's going to be awesome! Next up is signing my name on the dotted line, being sworn in as a Soldier, and finding out my ship date for Basic Training. EEK!
And I would like to thank Franz Schubert for writing such an incredible song that means so much to the happenings in my life. Who knew it could travel with me to so many places? And who knows where it might take me next.
Read on here.
5 comments:
GRETCHEN!!!!! i'm sooooo proud of you!!!! that's wonderful news!!!! i will be praying for you lots, much like i pray for the soldiers of all the armies of all the countries out there. but especially for you. because i like you. :)
Wow Gretch! That is Amazing! Congrats!
That is super cool that they found out that much about you just from having you sing. This is truly going to be an amazing thing for you Gretchen. I am so super stoked for you!!! We will have to hang out more before you jet off!!
So proud of you, as always. My cousing just completed officer candidate school with the Marines. Keep us posted. Would love to come to graduation!
Wow Gretchen!! That's amazing! I love that music is taking you to such unexpected (for music) places. You also bring me to armed forces BINGO :) I know have friends in the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Air Force.
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