When blue is a good thing

Simply because I haven’t done a blogthings quiz in like forever:

Sure, I’ll take it.

What’s funny is, way back in the day, when I was applying for an ROTC scholarship (told you it was way back), I had to get letters of recommendation. Since I was already attending UW-Madison, I had the option of meeting with a dean. After a chat, he/she would write a letter.

Well, not everyone on campus or in the administration was supportive of ROTC on campus. Who did I end up speaking to? Yes, the dean who was most vocal about this issue. Because I’m lucky that way.

He also didn’t like the CIA recruiting on campus either, but neither did a lot of people. Once, some protesters were digging graves on the ROTC lawn–no, I’m not making this up–then heard the CIA was across campus. So they up and left, graves half dug. It was very surreal.

Anyway, I don’t know his feelings going into this meeting, but it’s pretty clear after about thirty seconds. He essentially told me his position, that he probably wouldn’t write me a letter, but I the opportunity to change his mind by telling him why I wanted to join the military and what good could come from that.

Words came out of my mouth. This I know. What those words were? You got me. I don’t remember a thing I said. I remember it was a beautful spring day outside his office window. I remember we were on Bascom Hill. I remember sweating.

When I was done, he stared at me for a moment, then said, “That was incredibly diplomatic. After the military, you might consider the foreign service.”

And dude, check it. He wrote me a great letter of recommendation.

And I’m sure there’s a moral tucked away in all this, somewhere, but I don’t know what it is.