July 21st,
Wassup,
Wow! What a week! It was eventful so I'll start with the clock story. Our detailers put a box over the clocks because it's training time and we aren't allowed to know the exact time. They keep us in the dark all night then wake us with screaming and blowing whistles. One morning I got up at 5am and took a peek behind the box to see what time it was. Apparently I didn't replace the box properly because a detailer noticed later in the day. He guessed it was me because our room is right across from the clock. Going to lunch I heard yelled behind me, "Who moved my box? Lonsdale?! Did you move my box last night?" Of course I admitted to it because I wanted to be honest but I was still nervous about what they would do. Later they tornadoed our room. My sheets were everywhere, stuff lying on the floor and my shelves collapsed and unhinged. I thought the punishment was pretty much over when around midnight as I was falling into a deeper sleep, the door burst open adn a box flew into the room, then the door closed. He definitely got the message across.
This week we got to tour the YP boats and go sailing which I want to do more of. We also went swimming and learned how to abandon ship properly. We had a bearing competition where two people face each other with mouths full of water and the first person who laughs and spits it over the other, loses. I did my Gollum impression and made a ton of people lose their bearing. It was so good in fact, that a bunch of the detailers stopped me later to do it again. Then later I was nominate for the daily Blue and Gold for my Gollum impression. They made me stand in the P-hallway and do it for about 90 people in the company including the commander. Everyone laughed and now I will probably be known in the Academy for my Gollum voice and beat boxing.
All in all, I'm getting to do some cool stuff though there are tough days where they scream and yell at you. I'm dealing with stuff fairly well and I know I'm developing into a capable Naval Officer and better person. They are letting us grow back our hair on the top of our heads and shaving the sides..." A high and tight" marine haircut which I'm not fond of.
Its crazy hot this week with 70% humidity and 93 degrees. Today we learned how to put out fires on the boat or ship and used the hoses to connect to the fire hydrants. We also did relay runs with fire equipment. I'm tired a lot of the time but it's not something i haven't done before (my mission). I'd like to join the VT-NA club (fight club) or the parachute team. I want to try a bunch of things. We also had an academic brief which was super informative. I spoke in Chinese with the Chinese Professor and read a few paragraphs in Chinese that he gave me. He has placed me in the advanced Chinese class which means I've pretty much completed my minor in Chinese before I've even started. This means that I can start my Masters degree after year 2 because I also validated in a few other classes. My first year is shaping up nicely.
Tonight is going to be especially cool though--we have a brief by Captain Coffey who spent 7 years in a Vietnam POW camp. He will tell us about his experiences.
Well it's hard here but worth it; I cant wait until Parents Weekend, I'm going to live for that weekend because Plebe summer is pretty much over after that.
Love,
MIDN Zach Lonsdale, USN
PS. Our room passed the toughest inspection (Alpha inspection) and I did most of the cleaning :)
Monday, July 22, 2013
Sunday, July 7, 2013
July 7th: First phone call home
The Plebe is alive! But sounding a little hoarse from all the yelling of "Yes, sir!" They got to use cell phones for the 30 minute call home while standing at attention in the yard today. In Zachs words, there have been some tough days and some good days---they go from meal to meal in survival mode for the entire 8 weeks of Plebe summer. Everyone has shin splints. Yesterdays' exercise was led by a tough marine who had them run 4 miles, do sprints then strength training. In spite of the heavy daily exercise, the food is 'pretty good' so our Plebe is even gaining weight. The Maryland weather is so hot and humid that they have to exercise indoors some days. Sweat never dries and after the intense exercise, everyone is physically drained....but the day isn't over yet!
Academic: Next is validation exams to determine for those who have already taken some college, where they can place in USNA classes. The Chinese exam was 'pretty easy' and chemistry not so much. They've been measured for their white dress uniforms which we'll get to see Zach in on Parents weekend in August. Can't wait! He gets to come off campus with us and do normal stuff like go to movies, shop and probably catch up on some sleep.
There is a box over the clock in the hallway so no one ever knows what time it is...not sure why that is. Mornings begin with being shouted at to "wake up!" which is the worst part of Plebe summer thus far. As a result, Zach is up and out of bed before the human alarm clocks arrive...shouting averted.
Shooting: In rifle class there are 3 ranks based on one's ability shooting. The highest is 'expert' which Zach achieved in the M-16 and shotgun categories. Must be all that practice shooting that Richard and Zach did over the years. Another day was a visit to the boathouse which is filled with pictures of Olympian rowers who trained at the USNA. They learned rowing techniques and practiced in a simulator filled with water moving in waves. Apparently it's a one of a kind simulator and the best in the world. Once Zach got the hang of the correct rowing form, he did pretty good! Who knows, if he likes it he may try out for the varsity crew. The height and broad shoulders help too! Overall, he's pretty impressed with the amenities and opportunities at the USNA.
Church: There are about 40 LDS members on campus--they meet every Sunday and have institute on Tuesday nights. A Bishop and some other leaders visit from the local ward off-campus and hold meetings on campus for the USNA members. They have free time until noon on Sunday and time allotted during the week for personal/religious study. Once classes get under way later in August, there will be more personal time though things are still pretty structured.
Other: Well, some Plebes have decided the USNA is not for them but before one can 'quit' the Academy, they meet with the Dean and other leaders for an interview to determine if they just need additional support or if they really have made up their minds. There isn't an attempt to talk them into staying but the USNA wants to make sure that every person leaving is making an informed decision. For those who have decided to leave, they enter Tango company and just convene for meals daily while their paperwork is processed. It's unfortunate really since there are close to 19,000 applicants who didn't get accepted for the class of 2017. The ones who leave are not replaced since Plebe summer is well under way. Though 1200 are accepted yearly about 1,050 stay.
Well, next phone call in two weeks and parents weekend from Aug 8-11 after which we will post new pictures with new hair :) If you plan to write to Zach, he loves to hear your news and if you send a care package, he's loving fruit roll ups and granola bars....snacks are good after intense workouts!
Thanks for the prayers and support! Keep them coming!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
Stories from an I- Day mom
Greetings from mom (Tanya),
Well I-Day was an amazing experience for both Zach and for us. The night before, Zach had a sore tooth so we made a late night run to Urgent Care, got an antibiotic for a suspected abscess and arrived back at the hotel at midnight--only to be up 5 hours later to head over to the Academy. Not a great start to what was going to be a long day! However, thanks to a Blessing of Healing/Fathers blessing, when he arrived at the Academy, they sent him straight to the dentist who told him he did not have an abscess and the problem was easily corrected by reinforcing a filling. Yay! All body parts in good working order and reporting for duty...SIR!
Plebes spent the day being processed, running from bus to residence carrying 'super heavy' bags with all of their belongings, being yelled at and sweating in this hot, humid 100 degree Maryland weather. We on the other hand enjoyed a nice parents picnic, tours and greetings from Admiral Miller who assured us that we had done our work in raising good and moral young men and women and now it was their turn to take over and turn them into leaders. The Academy has produced 68 astronauts, more than any other branch of the service. They also have an 86% graduation rate for 4 year degrees as compared to a 29% for public and private schools four year degrees. We know he is getting a top rate education!
At 6pm parents met back at Bancroft Hall for the Swearing in of new Plebes. We looked for Zach but as tall as he is, with all the newly shaved heads, it was tough to pick him out in a crowd of 1200. At 630 we got to have 45 mins with midshipman Zach who was surprisingly cheerful and upbeat considering his short sleep the night before. He has no hair!! I will post pictures shortly of our Plebe with his shaved head. The day was a blur of activity and some crying Plebes not used to being shouted at. They are allowed 4 answers to any question from an officer...."Sir, yes Sir", Sir no Sir", Sir I'll find out Sir", "Sir no excuse Sir"---I believe he used the last one when he forgot to recite a part of the Academy's mission---hard to remember when you are being shouted at! He has a lot of memorizing to do of Reef Points, the Mission of the Academy, Duties of a Sentry and so on. Days will consist of being up at 0530, running, breakfast, more running, lunch, more exercise, dinner and lights out at an exhausted 10pm. Over summer, there will be firearms classes, lectures from a Holocaust survivor and Vietnam POW, sailing, validation exams and football games.
We get a phone call home every 2 weeks and a visit on Parents weekend over Aug 8-11 where we will get to take him off campus for the first time in 7 weeks in his new white uniform. Can't wait!
Well, that's all for now folks---letters are appreciated as he loves to hear how life is on the outside with those he loves and cares for. If you send care packages, please no junk food. I sent protein bars and fruit roll ups. He will get his phone and email on Aug 17th and then communication will be back to normal.
Keep midshipman Zach Lonsdale in your prayers, he will need to dig deep this summer to get through the grueling Plebe summer but it anyone can do it, we know that Zach can :)
Well I-Day was an amazing experience for both Zach and for us. The night before, Zach had a sore tooth so we made a late night run to Urgent Care, got an antibiotic for a suspected abscess and arrived back at the hotel at midnight--only to be up 5 hours later to head over to the Academy. Not a great start to what was going to be a long day! However, thanks to a Blessing of Healing/Fathers blessing, when he arrived at the Academy, they sent him straight to the dentist who told him he did not have an abscess and the problem was easily corrected by reinforcing a filling. Yay! All body parts in good working order and reporting for duty...SIR!
Plebes spent the day being processed, running from bus to residence carrying 'super heavy' bags with all of their belongings, being yelled at and sweating in this hot, humid 100 degree Maryland weather. We on the other hand enjoyed a nice parents picnic, tours and greetings from Admiral Miller who assured us that we had done our work in raising good and moral young men and women and now it was their turn to take over and turn them into leaders. The Academy has produced 68 astronauts, more than any other branch of the service. They also have an 86% graduation rate for 4 year degrees as compared to a 29% for public and private schools four year degrees. We know he is getting a top rate education!
At 6pm parents met back at Bancroft Hall for the Swearing in of new Plebes. We looked for Zach but as tall as he is, with all the newly shaved heads, it was tough to pick him out in a crowd of 1200. At 630 we got to have 45 mins with midshipman Zach who was surprisingly cheerful and upbeat considering his short sleep the night before. He has no hair!! I will post pictures shortly of our Plebe with his shaved head. The day was a blur of activity and some crying Plebes not used to being shouted at. They are allowed 4 answers to any question from an officer...."Sir, yes Sir", Sir no Sir", Sir I'll find out Sir", "Sir no excuse Sir"---I believe he used the last one when he forgot to recite a part of the Academy's mission---hard to remember when you are being shouted at! He has a lot of memorizing to do of Reef Points, the Mission of the Academy, Duties of a Sentry and so on. Days will consist of being up at 0530, running, breakfast, more running, lunch, more exercise, dinner and lights out at an exhausted 10pm. Over summer, there will be firearms classes, lectures from a Holocaust survivor and Vietnam POW, sailing, validation exams and football games.
We get a phone call home every 2 weeks and a visit on Parents weekend over Aug 8-11 where we will get to take him off campus for the first time in 7 weeks in his new white uniform. Can't wait!
Well, that's all for now folks---letters are appreciated as he loves to hear how life is on the outside with those he loves and cares for. If you send care packages, please no junk food. I sent protein bars and fruit roll ups. He will get his phone and email on Aug 17th and then communication will be back to normal.
Keep midshipman Zach Lonsdale in your prayers, he will need to dig deep this summer to get through the grueling Plebe summer but it anyone can do it, we know that Zach can :)
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
How it all started...
So a few people have been asking me where I got the idea of entering the Naval Academy. I'm not very good at blogs and social media in general, but I'll give this a shot. Sorry that it's so long!
In 2008 after high school, I had gotten accepted to BYU not knowing which path I should take. I took a few classes like anatomy, physics, american heritage, etc... to see what I would like to do. I considered the healthcare field because most of my family members are in one of those professions. After taking an anatomy class where we learned about the amazingly constructed human body from examining one of the four cadavers in the cadaver lab, I decided that even though the human body is pretty amazing, the healthcare field isn't for me.
One day BYU was having a career fair where representatives from various companies came to recruit and inspire those not yet ready to graduate to continue on their respective paths and eventually work for them. There were booths there for Northrop Grumman and Boeing which particularly caught my eye. I picked up one of their pamphlets with fighter jets on the front and had the feeling that this is something that I want to do. Richard (my step-dad) had been coincidentally sending me a lot of videos of jet fighters doing flybys and various acrobatic maneuvers. This sparked my interest initially, but I still wasn't 100% sure this was what I wanted to do.
During the holidays, I came home and bought a video game involving jet fighters. It was a special edition so it came with a free movie. The movie was a documentary called Speed and Angels. It is a documentary about two Naval Academy graduates who got accepted to the flight program in the Navy and eventually went on to become jet fighter pilots. They were among the last pilots to fly the F-14 Tomcat (the fighter jets on Top Gun). I loved the movie so much, that after watching it I was sure that this is something I wanted to do. That initial spark became a flame! I wanted to know everything I had to do in order to become a fighter pilot. After doing some research, I found out that the Naval Academy was the best track to take if I wanted to do Naval Aviation. The majority of students at the academy go into aviation. However, I also realized that I had a few obstacles: #1 A pilot needs excellent eyesight, or at least correctable through laser-eye surgery, #2 In order to get accepted to the Naval Academy, you have to go through a long, and sometimes arduous process to just be considered for an appointment, #3 I cannot exceed certain height limits in order to even be able to fit inside the cockpit of a jet, #4 I cannot have any medical problems whatsoever (this includes asthma that I had as a child up until I was around 11 years old, and #5 I would get back from serving my mission right after the class of 2016 already started basic training, so I would have to wait an extra year. This made it the first, and last chance to apply to the academy before missing the cutoff.
But that's OK! At the time, I still hadn't gone on my LDS mission for two years! After serving about a year and a half in Toronto speaking Mandarin Chinese, I decided that the academy was something I still wanted to do, so I got approval to start the application. I only worked on the application on P-days (Mondays) and I had a window of about 2-3 hours to work on it. I did all of the preliminary stuff on Mondays, and then focused on my missionary work for the remaining time.
I also applied to BYU so I would have an extra year of college that would look better on my application to the academy. My grades were not super amazing, so I did anything that would improve my chances to get accepted. Luckily, the academy looks for more than just grades from prospective midshipmen. That year at BYU I joined the Air Force ROTC, I took the SAT again, I took the ACT for the first time, and I did a bunch of other things that I could put on my application. I'll probably post later on what the specific process is for applying to the academy.
There were ups and downs going to BYU, but I would say the best experiences I had were working at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) teaching Mandarin and making some of the best friends of my life. My awesome roommates Greg, Tyler, Matt, Song, and Brandon helped make my time at BYU enjoyable. I also learned a lot from other people like Ellice, Kaitey, Chelsea, Krystal, Amanda, and a TON of other people in my wards and at school. I would say that the hardest parts of this entire process is leaving all of those amazing people and leaving an amazing job that pushed me spiritually everyday. Sometimes good things have to end for other good things to begin. I will never forget you guys!!! We'll keep in touch!!!!
You don't realize how much Heavenly Father has His hand in everything you do until you look back on things. Looking back, I have realized that Heavenly Father guided me in so many aspects and blessed me immensely to be able to come to this point in my life. I was blessed for going on my mission and put in even more debt to Heavenly Father from the things that have happened since. Those obstacles I mentioned became very very small. #1 I had an eye appointment after my mission and the optometrist said that I have pilot eyes. Despite me having to wear glasses, he said my eyes were very healthy and potentially correctable through laser-eye surgery to beyond 20/20 vision. He said he sees maybe 2-3 patients in a year with eyes like mine, #2 I got through the entire application process despite setbacks and having to send my college transcripts at least 4 times and making it just before the deadline, #3 I found out that people taller than me have been accepted as pilots, #4 My asthma was completely gone and I had no physical problems whatsoever, #5 I got to go to BYU in the year I had to wait and had amazing experiences I will never forget! I feel like Alma when I say I am mentioning these things not because I want to boast of myself, but because I wish to boast of my God.
Everything that has taken me to this point has fit together perfectly and could not be possible without divine intervention. I will forever be grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me this opportunity to follow my dreams and I firmly believe that because I served my mission, I am able to do this. If there is any advice that I could give, it would be to follow your dreams. I know it sounds cliche, but if you want something in life, go and get it. My mother always raised me to not put limits on what you want to do or who you want to become. She also raised me to put the Lord first, and everything else will follow. If you fail, then you fail, but you will never get anywhere in life if you're afraid of failure. One of my favorite quotes of all time is from Wayne Gretzky (a famous hockey player) who said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Put Heavenly Father first and He will take care of you!
Lastly, I couldn't have gone anywhere or done anything without the support from my mom and Richard. They are amazing people and both of them have been examples to me. There are no words to describe how out-of-this-world amazing my mother is! She has worked SO hard to give me a good future. Richard has also worked more diligently than I have ever seen someone work to provide for our family and be there for my mom and me no matter what the circumstances have been. I have never seen a husband treat his wife better than I have seen Richard treat my mom, Lord knows she deserves it!
So that's the beginning in a nutshell...a rather large nutshell. I am currently finishing this blog entry on the plane to Baltimore (near Annapolis in Maryland). I am about to begin a new chapter in my life! Thank you for everyone who has helped me to get to this point. Just because I didn't mention you, it doesn't mean I don't love you all! I'm going to try and keep this blog up-to-date and my mom is going to help out a bit. This summer I will not have access to a computer, but feel free to send me some letters! I'm sure I'll love the brief respite from basic military training to hear about how you guys are doing!
My address for the summer:
The updates will most likely occur after the three times I have to call my parents during the summer. I won't be on Facebook or email for the summer starting on the 27th. Love you all!
In 2008 after high school, I had gotten accepted to BYU not knowing which path I should take. I took a few classes like anatomy, physics, american heritage, etc... to see what I would like to do. I considered the healthcare field because most of my family members are in one of those professions. After taking an anatomy class where we learned about the amazingly constructed human body from examining one of the four cadavers in the cadaver lab, I decided that even though the human body is pretty amazing, the healthcare field isn't for me.
One day BYU was having a career fair where representatives from various companies came to recruit and inspire those not yet ready to graduate to continue on their respective paths and eventually work for them. There were booths there for Northrop Grumman and Boeing which particularly caught my eye. I picked up one of their pamphlets with fighter jets on the front and had the feeling that this is something that I want to do. Richard (my step-dad) had been coincidentally sending me a lot of videos of jet fighters doing flybys and various acrobatic maneuvers. This sparked my interest initially, but I still wasn't 100% sure this was what I wanted to do.
During the holidays, I came home and bought a video game involving jet fighters. It was a special edition so it came with a free movie. The movie was a documentary called Speed and Angels. It is a documentary about two Naval Academy graduates who got accepted to the flight program in the Navy and eventually went on to become jet fighter pilots. They were among the last pilots to fly the F-14 Tomcat (the fighter jets on Top Gun). I loved the movie so much, that after watching it I was sure that this is something I wanted to do. That initial spark became a flame! I wanted to know everything I had to do in order to become a fighter pilot. After doing some research, I found out that the Naval Academy was the best track to take if I wanted to do Naval Aviation. The majority of students at the academy go into aviation. However, I also realized that I had a few obstacles: #1 A pilot needs excellent eyesight, or at least correctable through laser-eye surgery, #2 In order to get accepted to the Naval Academy, you have to go through a long, and sometimes arduous process to just be considered for an appointment, #3 I cannot exceed certain height limits in order to even be able to fit inside the cockpit of a jet, #4 I cannot have any medical problems whatsoever (this includes asthma that I had as a child up until I was around 11 years old, and #5 I would get back from serving my mission right after the class of 2016 already started basic training, so I would have to wait an extra year. This made it the first, and last chance to apply to the academy before missing the cutoff.
But that's OK! At the time, I still hadn't gone on my LDS mission for two years! After serving about a year and a half in Toronto speaking Mandarin Chinese, I decided that the academy was something I still wanted to do, so I got approval to start the application. I only worked on the application on P-days (Mondays) and I had a window of about 2-3 hours to work on it. I did all of the preliminary stuff on Mondays, and then focused on my missionary work for the remaining time.
I also applied to BYU so I would have an extra year of college that would look better on my application to the academy. My grades were not super amazing, so I did anything that would improve my chances to get accepted. Luckily, the academy looks for more than just grades from prospective midshipmen. That year at BYU I joined the Air Force ROTC, I took the SAT again, I took the ACT for the first time, and I did a bunch of other things that I could put on my application. I'll probably post later on what the specific process is for applying to the academy.
There were ups and downs going to BYU, but I would say the best experiences I had were working at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) teaching Mandarin and making some of the best friends of my life. My awesome roommates Greg, Tyler, Matt, Song, and Brandon helped make my time at BYU enjoyable. I also learned a lot from other people like Ellice, Kaitey, Chelsea, Krystal, Amanda, and a TON of other people in my wards and at school. I would say that the hardest parts of this entire process is leaving all of those amazing people and leaving an amazing job that pushed me spiritually everyday. Sometimes good things have to end for other good things to begin. I will never forget you guys!!! We'll keep in touch!!!!
You don't realize how much Heavenly Father has His hand in everything you do until you look back on things. Looking back, I have realized that Heavenly Father guided me in so many aspects and blessed me immensely to be able to come to this point in my life. I was blessed for going on my mission and put in even more debt to Heavenly Father from the things that have happened since. Those obstacles I mentioned became very very small. #1 I had an eye appointment after my mission and the optometrist said that I have pilot eyes. Despite me having to wear glasses, he said my eyes were very healthy and potentially correctable through laser-eye surgery to beyond 20/20 vision. He said he sees maybe 2-3 patients in a year with eyes like mine, #2 I got through the entire application process despite setbacks and having to send my college transcripts at least 4 times and making it just before the deadline, #3 I found out that people taller than me have been accepted as pilots, #4 My asthma was completely gone and I had no physical problems whatsoever, #5 I got to go to BYU in the year I had to wait and had amazing experiences I will never forget! I feel like Alma when I say I am mentioning these things not because I want to boast of myself, but because I wish to boast of my God.
Everything that has taken me to this point has fit together perfectly and could not be possible without divine intervention. I will forever be grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me this opportunity to follow my dreams and I firmly believe that because I served my mission, I am able to do this. If there is any advice that I could give, it would be to follow your dreams. I know it sounds cliche, but if you want something in life, go and get it. My mother always raised me to not put limits on what you want to do or who you want to become. She also raised me to put the Lord first, and everything else will follow. If you fail, then you fail, but you will never get anywhere in life if you're afraid of failure. One of my favorite quotes of all time is from Wayne Gretzky (a famous hockey player) who said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Put Heavenly Father first and He will take care of you!
Lastly, I couldn't have gone anywhere or done anything without the support from my mom and Richard. They are amazing people and both of them have been examples to me. There are no words to describe how out-of-this-world amazing my mother is! She has worked SO hard to give me a good future. Richard has also worked more diligently than I have ever seen someone work to provide for our family and be there for my mom and me no matter what the circumstances have been. I have never seen a husband treat his wife better than I have seen Richard treat my mom, Lord knows she deserves it!
So that's the beginning in a nutshell...a rather large nutshell. I am currently finishing this blog entry on the plane to Baltimore (near Annapolis in Maryland). I am about to begin a new chapter in my life! Thank you for everyone who has helped me to get to this point. Just because I didn't mention you, it doesn't mean I don't love you all! I'm going to try and keep this blog up-to-date and my mom is going to help out a bit. This summer I will not have access to a computer, but feel free to send me some letters! I'm sure I'll love the brief respite from basic military training to hear about how you guys are doing!
My address for the summer:
MIDN ZACHARY LONSDALE
United States Naval Academy
A Company 1 Platoon
Annapolis, MD 21412
The updates will most likely occur after the three times I have to call my parents during the summer. I won't be on Facebook or email for the summer starting on the 27th. Love you all!
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