Describe your initial impression of AIM in five words or less.
Challenging. Inspiring. Realistic. Fun.
What was the most interesting thing you learned about the Academy that you didn’t already know?
I found the dedication and support of the professors profound. It was clear the professors were there specifically to help us succeed. The small classes with direct feedback and interaction made class time feel sincere and genuine.
What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was tackling demanding tasks while feeling exhausted. After enduring long days of running, yelling, and physical training, simple tasks like cleaning up my room after a “search and rescue,” (cadre tossing up the room) were overwhelming. To push through these roadblocks, I would recall one of my dad’s favorite quotes: “Just find an excuse to win.”
Looking back, would you have done anything different to prepare yourself for AIM?
Looking back, I believe I was well prepared. Yet, the challenge of remembering a lot of information within such little time made me wish I had studied some of the Mission and Ethos beforehand.
Can you identify a noticeable difference in yourself after attending AIM? If so, what
Absolutely. I was on the fence before attending AIM, and I still wasn’t sure while going through it, but by the end of the week, I was certain the Academy was where I wanted to be. I now have a greater motivation and drive to pursue all my goals.
Would you recommend attending AIM? Why?
100%. AIM was the most difficult thing I’ve done in my entire life, and I’m so glad I did it. I’ve learned so much about myself, what I can accomplish, the friends I can make, and what my life could be. The fun times far outweighed the hard ones, and I will remember my AIM experience forever.
