Thursday, Week 4!
Yes, he got his gun!
Kev didn't even call me when he was back to his quad for the night, but instead he text me a picture he had his roommate take of him in his cadet uniform, shiny boots, belt with shiny buttons, vest... and a gun! Strapped to the right side of the most handsome cadet in the academy was a gun! We finally jumped on the phone and he told me all about his day.
He woke up in the morning and went to class, where he said an officer brought in boxes of guns to distribute to the class. He also received three magazines, a holster and pepper spray. Kev said they were given a gun safety lesson, advised that the gun better stay on academy grounds, and they officially get to wear it with their vests every day now. After the cadets felt on top of the world by receiving the last of the tools to keep on their belt, the mayhem started. Kev said this was the worst part of the day. When everyone left the classroom with their new gear, they walked out single file to head to the chow hall but instead saw every staff officer lined up in the quad. The cadets got chewed up! Kev said he got nervous as he walked by them, he was looked up and down but his brass and uniform were perfect, then he was asked who the Commissioner was. Kev knew exactly who the Commissioner was but was so uncomfortable with a staff officer yelling at him inches from his face. He answered in confidence and the officer yelled back, "Are you sure!" Kev said, "Sir, yes, sir!" He was wrong!!! He knew the answer and has been studying like crazy, but with all the chaos around him he said the wrong name. He was yelled at to write a blue card for not knowing his knowledge questions. He wrote exactly that, handed it over and was chewed up again for not being specific enough and said they compared it to writing a ticket for a DUI without any detail. So, he was forced to write another blue card for writing an incorrect form. He said he was shaking from all the yelling and now these blue cards mean no liberty next Wednesday. He wants to receive as few blue cards as possible because it ties in to your ranking at the academy. However, he has only received 4 blue cards total in his first month and is doing great on all his tests. Anyhow, he said everyone was getting yelled at and getting blue cards all at once. Apparently, people were visiting the academy so it may have been a show as to how order is kept, badges are earned, and the finest law enforcement agency in the word is created. Blue card or not, Kev is a part of that!
After appetites were lost, the cadets had lunch, followed by their spelling test and class on accident investigations until dinner time. That was it for the day. Kev and I had a long talk about the lunch incident and he told me how disappointed he was with himself for getting a blue card on a knowledge question he knew. He said even his roommate told him he couldn't believe he got it wrong because even he knew Kev knew the answer. I told Kev that he has been doing so well, and the only way to get better and excel at anything is to have your weaknesses exposed and challenged. Kev's weakness is performing under stress. He can easily absorb the knowledge he is taught and perform physically, but maintaining focus in the midst of chaos is tough and will take time to master. It's better he learns to overcome these challenges at the academy than while on duty and he understands that entirely. I think that is going to be his personal goal for the second month at the academy - In the midst of upheaval and pandemonium, maintain focus and control of your mind and actions. At least there is something my man needs improvement on. Otherwise, he is handsome, smart, loving, compassionate, strong, driven and an all around beautiful soul. One more day until the weekend!
- Mimi
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