Of Academies and Missions

I would have to say on at least a weekly basis, someone somewhere is either talking about the academy/FTO or their mission.  While there is nothing like a good story, there at least can be some lessons learned (even the really, really weird ones).

So let me pull a "on my mission" and an "in the academy" for you all.

On my mission, we did missionary work... awesome line right?  Probably sounds like an answer your kid tells you when you ask about how school went.  Well, there are mission and academy/FTO stories for days.  For all the stories I have heard and of course the ones I've told, there is one thing I have found that makes serving in Law Enforcement so unique.  I found my mission extremely comparable to the academy.  I am sure you all found similar.  If you were not able to serve a mission, trust me, its very similar in challenges.  Still don't believe me?  Let's compare:

Yeah, we all remember the worry of an IP

-"I will be hard, but it will be worth it"
-"The toughest thing I had ever done (at the time)"
-"I thought I knew a lot, but man was I wrong"
-Uniform... make that well pressed, clean, fitting uniform in the training stage (the actual mission/FTO and after... maybe not so much)
-You thought at the end of the MTC/Academy, you had it in the bag... then day one of training really started and you felt more like a middle schooler starting as a freshman.
-Ridged schedule, with only wiggle room as to staying late
-Clean cut hair

Fear.  And a little excitement

-Clean shaved (men... at least)
-Nametags
-Lots of forms
-Trainers
-The first REAL contact with a non-scenario person
-The second trainer/Greenie Breaker (insert all the scenarios and emotions here)
-Stress/worry for yourself and others
-Lots of walking and standing (maybe running for both, but I had a bike in one)
-Practicing people skills
-Blisters, sores, cuts
-LOTS of sweat and tears
-Family time hindered
-A bittersweet excitement when it is over

And most importantly (hopefully) - A greater understanding of Jesus Christ
Seriously.  This is the most important point.  I was not that great at primary as a kid but I can tell you in my mind, I sang a lot of "Give Said the Little Stream," "I Am a Child of God," and other songs in my head to refocus my mind.  I studied my scriptures more earnestly than ever.  I prayed harder than I had ever done.  And I mean for both the mission and the academy/FTO.  I'm no better than any of you.  I struggled to comprehend and was in no way a "top of the class" kind of guy.  It is all about hindsight and repentance.

So take a moment and ponder your time when that, "oh yeah on my mission/academy/FTO" comes up.  Find the correlations to the Savior.  Didn't serve a mission?  Doesn't really matter.  You are serving one now.

The Savior taught in parables because that is how people relate and comprehend best.  Have you studied the Doctrine and Covenants or Book of Mormon lately?  I mean really studied it?  We are like the warriors.  We are like the missionaries.  We are like all those called by the Lord to do something greater than ourselves if we only seek after it.  So dive in and surprise your wife, your kids, your family, your Sunday School teachers, everyone.  Show them the discipline you learned suffering through the trials and exiting the victor of your "academies."

Remember, the Plan of Happiness includes right now!  Now MOVE IT RECRUIT!!!

Add more comparisons in the comments!

Godspeed LEOs

- LDS Sheepdog