RELAX AND ENJOYTHE VIEW

RELAXED ATMOSPHERE FAMILY FRIENDLY WELCOMING AMBIENCE POSITIVE VIBE decided on West Point, where her brother Payton is a senior. “He’s my best friend,” she said.

Her father envisioned Payton “dropping” his sister for pushups the first time he sees her, then looking out for her as much as he can.

Jeff and Tammi are proud that both their children have chosen to serve.

First an Air Force spouse, then an Army Mom, and now an Army Mom times two, Tammi said, “Now, two-thirds of my heart will be out at the U.S. Military Academy in New York.”

Prepping for the Academy

Aleksie graduated from Marshall School in the top 10 percent of her class. She was a member of the National Honor Society, attended Girls State and participated in the YMCA’s Youth in

Government program. In addition to volleyball, she played softball. She was active in Holy Rosary Catholic Church, her faith being a major component in her life.

She called the application process for getting into West Point “crazy.” In addition to the usual college application, essays and transcripts, she had to pass that physical aptitude test and secure a congressional or presidential nomination. That entailed interviews with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan and members of a presidential committee. She secured a presidential nomination, due to her father’s military service.

Aleksie spent months preparing for her seven weeks of basic training — running two to three miles a day three times a week, doing one to two sets of pull-ups, push-ups and sit-ups every other day, and “rucking it” — hiking in her Army boots with a weighted backpack. On days she didn’t run, she and her parents did cardio-kickboxing at 9Round Fitness.

That work paid off. Aleksie completed basic training, BEAST as the Cadets call it, on Aug. 13, with a 12-mile ruck from the training grounds back to the West Point campus. Her brother, who up to that point had only waved to her a couple of times when she silently passed him in the mess hall, was allowed to accompany her on the ruck. “That was awesome,” she said.

She had endured bad shin splints most of the seven weeks of physical endurance tests and multiple training exercises. Her eyes and skin burned when she and her fellow new Cadets were exposed purposely to tear gas. Small in stature, she found the ruck — hiking while carrying 45 pounds of gear on a terrain of hills, hills and more hills — especially tough.

“But you’re in it with everyone else.”

The whole basic training, actually the whole first year at West Point, is about learning how to follow, Aleksie said, “And about how you handle adversity — if you’re willing to keep going or not.”

On Advancement Day, five days later, her parents and paternal grandparents happily watched her advance from being a new Cadet to simply a Cadet and join West Point’s upperclassmen, including Payton, on the Parade Field.

Coach May believes Aleksie will thrive and do exceptionally well at West Point. “She has always put others, put the team ahead of herself,” she said.

Her Own Path

Earlier this summer, items for one duffle bag — all Aleksie was allowed to take to basic training — were laid out on a futon: combat boots, running shoes, dress shoes, socks for each, sports bras, underwear, pajamas, paracord, a multi-tool, a head lamp, a fan, a shoeshine kit, moleskin for blisters, basic toiletries and anything she needs to get her hair into a bun.

Army uniforms were issued when she arrived.

She wasn’t allowed any personal items. “Just my memories, that’s all I’ll have from home,” Aleksie said before departing for the Academy.

She was surprised how much the letters she received from family and friends motivated her and carried her through basic training. Now she has her phone back, and she’s allowed one picture frame on her desk.

“I’m definitely missing my mom’s food — a lot,” she said, not to mention the family’s three dogs. “And I miss being able to sleep in my bed with sheets.”

With subjects such as “Introduction to War Fighting” and boxing, barracks for a dorm, daily room inspections, and tasks like delivering laundry or basic cleaning that start her day at 6 a.m., her college experience will be a bit different than that of her friends. She also has to worry more about that average college weight gain. The Army feeds its Cadets 4,000 calories a day. “They feed you like you’re a 19-year-old boy,” she said.

Aleksie is interested in pursuing a degree in international relations, with a minor in a language, possibly Russian. True to her character, she downloaded the Duolingo app and was already trying to teach herself Russian before she left for the Academy.

“My ultimate dream would be doing military intelligence,” she said.

“I feel really ready to leave and excited to start my next chapter in life,” she said on a June day from her parents’ home off U.S. Highway 61. And even though she’s following in the footsteps of her dad and brother, she said, “I’ll be on my own path.” D