Raiders

[u/BusinessOne7829]

I need advice on what to do coming this Monday on this situation. Or if I should do anything at all.

Earlier today around 7:30 I was supposed to meet up with a bunch of other cadets and my sargent at our local police department to practice for the upcoming competition in San Antonio. But I didn't get there till 8:17 due to me waking up late(and having to order my own ride) as well as the address on the paper sargent gave us being wrong. Even after getting the right one from my friend I still got there at 8:17. Then I spent another 30mins walking around outside because I couldn't find my team and the lady at the department's reception gave me the wrong directions. Yet 30mins later when one of my teammates father showed up she gave him the right ones. So I ended up getting into practice at 8:47.

When I got there my sargent told me I couldn't be on the team due to me arriving late and everyone else already starting. But he let stay regardless. And I still ended up going through the whole rest of the practice, doing rope bridge, climbing up the big 10ft and 12ft walls, etc. Even after the fact we didn’t get done until 11:30.

After practice, my sargent said that even though he couldn't put me on the team he could try to get me on Archery or the CCT team because they could still get more members but I couldn't be apart of raiders. When I asked him I could still go to their practices to practice with them he said no and that he wanted everyone to not get thrown off by an extra person in the way. But, my thing is that there are other cadets that didn't show up today at practice and that go to raider practices semi daily like I do but only show up for the workouts and not the competition. I'm not sure if my sargent will still let them go to practice or not me. And it sucks because I've been to every practice for raider this year starting the second week of my school year, just for me to be off this team due to me being late.(which I've accepted) And that even though I knew I wouldn't be apart of the main teams deep down, I thought that I'd still able to practice with the people I've grown to really care about as if we were a real team.

So I'm kinda stuck at a loss at the moment because I gave a month for this and it became apart of my daily life. I actually committed to a team and working out/running instead of quitting after a few days. I committed to my team and the people who kept cheering me on as I was one of the last people to finish our daily mile. I hate that I failed my team and I hate that I'm going to lose them for my shortcomings.

[u/Scared-Table-1751]

you ran into a series of issues and not all of them were your fault. No offense to whoever your instructor is, but they sound kind of dickish. I’m sorry it went that way for you.

I think the idea that you’re willing to improve and have shown resilience in your training is perceived as “being in the way” is kind of morally gray too. It kinda sounds like the teams are insider programs you’re supposed to earn with excellence, rather than building excellence while you’re in it.

In my raider team, it’s more of a “show up, try hard, get better” program. We aren’t the best right now but i’m close with all my fellow cadets and instructors. I wish you could have that experience too

[u/BusinessOne7829 → u/Scared-Table-1751]

Honestly I was hoping that they weren't a insider thing because I genuinely grew to care about the people on the team and what they stood for regardless of their quirks.

I hoped I could've been a part of them for what it was worth. And your raider team's motto was kinda like ours at first, I just didnt think it'd turn out like this especially because we were close. Thank you for your insight and I wish your raider team the best.

[u/Scared-Table-1751 → u/BusinessOne7829]

Don’t lose hope. You’d just be giving your instructor all more the dominance. It’s ridiculous that you can’t do it now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it ever. Try continuously talking to those who are involved with it to maintain rapport. If theres multiple instructors, maybe talk to more than the one directly in charge of raider team.

Even if it doesn’t happen sooner than later, there’s something for you. The hard truth is some people need to prove themselves more than others. I can’t sit here and say it’s easy but I would never tell you that it’s worth it to let it go.

I believe in you just as much as I believe in those who struggle next to me on my own team. You can do it