HONOR DUTY RESPECT - The Citadel

The days were long, but the weeks were short. As time passed, I becameaccustomed to the local community. The daily ritual of brick-makingformed a bond of solidarity between the Batwa villagers and me,despite the language barrier. My work attire of long pants, tall socks,and combat boots began to feel as standard as a cadet uniform. Thecompulsory two hours of singing and dancing before the sermon atchurch service each Sunday even reminded me of our weekly parades. Imemorized short phrases of Kirundi and bits of Burundian history asif they were knob knowledge. My standard greeting became a trifectaof a handshake, a gripping of the forearm to show honor and respect,and the word ahmahoro (peace). It was actually a little difficult to returnto the salute and greeting of the day when I returned for cadre.I began to appreciate the underlying, endearing qualities of thenation. An industrial work ethic, where a 30-minute walk to workbefore sunrise and a hard day’s labor is expected. An intrepid mettlethat is undaunted by automatic weapons yet fearful of canines of anysize. Tempered optimism, based not on cool statistics but rather on atenuous rumor spread from village to village that tomorrow’s sunriseis brighter than yesterday’s sunset.The strength of community is even more infectious than themosquitoes. In spite of its imperfections, loving the land andits people is simply a foregone conclusion.Despite the tropical climate and exotic flora and fauna, Burundi isnot typically characterized as a paradise. Unconcealed poverty and adeficiency of good hotels are not a particularly palatable combination.Yet, in this country left by the world to oscillate in the twilightbetween war and peace, I strangely felt the sense of serenity that onlyhome can provide. This feeling would be utterly unfamiliar if not forthe obvious analog. The Citadel is similarly not a paradise. It is worn,rugged and sometimes even hostile. Yet once you get past that exteriorsallyport, you find a community united by common experience. Thereis the necessary reliance on your classmates, a comparable pride inlocal customs, and, despite current difficulties, optimism that life willbe better after graduation.Just as Burundians are unlikely to recognize their ownpatriotism amidst daily hardship, so too do the majority ofcadets refuse to recognize their own love for this institutionduring our annual cycle of duties, inspections and parades.What truly distinguishes both worlds are the intangibles—the idealsand motivations of the people in them. By no means do I think thatthis connection is unique to Burundi. I can offer it as a definitiveexample because of the strong Citadel connection to the locale. For acountry the size of Maryland and farther in distance than Afghanistan,the number of alumni that have traveled through Burundi is somewhatastonishing. Both of my visits to the country were orchestrated by aCitadel graduate who was living and working in Bujumbura, OliviaPerry-Smith, ’05. I have also met other grads in-country—Lt. Col.Jim Near, ’77, and Rosita Navarro, ’07—and have heard the exploitsof others who visited before me. For me there was no better evidenceof this surprising connection than my experience on one Sundayafternoon while I was sitting outside a coffee shop in the center oftown. I was reading a book and periodically glancing at the peoplewalking down the street. I spotted a Burundian man, clearly in hisSunday best, walking down the street wearing a creaseless Citadel dutyshirt complete with collar insignia for a Bravo senior private.This is my experience, thus far, in translating The Citadel experienceinto the hard realities of the world—it is not the stability of dailyessentials, finances or even security for an individual that determinesthe strength of a community. The true character of a community comesfrom its moral structure and an atmosphere of shared reliance. Sothose of us graduating can break out into the world, confident of ourown ability to have a meaningful impact.Cadet Nick Slater will graduate in May with a dual major in political science andbiology. A recipient of the Rotary Ambassadorial Global Scholarship, he will spend the2013-2014 academic year studying global health at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.53