FEATURED CADET: CADET/CAPTAIN JUSTIN HOUSE

Featured Cadet of the Month:  Cadet/Captain Justin House

By Cadet Ashley Hall

     

      Everybody knows being on Battalion Staff is difficult enough, let alone being a high school student on Battalion Staff.  “I think it’s pretty lonely and difficult because there aren’t many people I can talk to about official business. Looking back seeing myself from last year to where I am now, it’s hard to make the transition from follower to leader,” Justin House explains.

     Cadet House has different difficulties that he runs into on a daily basis, more than what a regular cadet in the Corps might run into. “One of the things that I find most difficult is public speaking. Being that the Battalion S1’s main job is to speak in front of the masses, I have to overcome this and take the situation how it is,” he says.

     Many cadets ask and apply for leadership positions. Few are recommended to take on the responsibilities of the position that they applied for. Not all cadets get the job they want. Some get the job that is right for them. “I originally wanted to be the Delta Company Commander, but my TAC Officer recommended me for the Battalion Adjutant position because of my command voice and lack of fear when it comes to public speaking,” House said. Cadet House seems quite elated with his position on Battalion staff.

     Most people with a leadership position have set goals for themselves and others. “The goals that I have set for myself are to hold my position for the entire year, try to make changes to Corps of Cadets, so that they might have more opportunities, and also to uphold the standards that Wentworth has put forth,” he explained.

     Everybody with a leadership role started out small, some smaller than others. “My first leadership position was assistant squad leader for Second Platoon 4th Squad,” he humorously replied. Having a leadership role could most likely help you later in life for future careers. “I believe that by being the Battalion Adjutant it will help me with public speaking and just speaking in general. I believe this because it takes a lot of effort to make sure that a clear concise message gets to the Corps of Cadets,” he said.

     Cadet Captain House’s concluding statement was, “If I had to give advice for somebody that wanted to take on the position of Battalion S1, it would be stay loose, don’t take anything personal, and just have fun with it.”

     In conclusion, being both in high school and on Battalion Staff has many difficulties. You have to start small and build up for something bigger, so that when you get to the top, you can keep setting bigger and better goals for yourself.