Bullies

We all know about them. We've all heard of them and some of us have had the mis-fortune of getting our very own personal bully. Well, that would be Wil.

School had been going so well. Good grades, loving football, s...ky food, you know, boarding school stuff. Enter the bully. He started getting in Wil's face about the beginning of October. Telling lies and weaving webs you wouldn't believe. Then he started on Wil's personal space and going in to Wil's room with out permission. Then he was taking stuff (no real proof accept that when confronted, the stuff would magically re-appear) and messing with Wil's mind and then the final blow. He started to get physical. Taunting Wil to "bring it on" pushing him, elbowing him, always when no one was looking. Hoping to get Wil to take the first hard blow, consequently getting himself into trouble.

Wil is so smart and such a good kid. He stayed the course. He didn't give in to the bully and did the right thing, or so he thought. He kept quiet. This allowed the bully to have the upper hand and weave more lies and allow the idea of becoming a snitch (the worst thing in the World) to live ferociously in Wil's mind. Wil needs the crowd. He needs the acceptance of his peers and being a snitch just didn't fit in.

Finally on one fateful Sunday evening, Wil had reached capacity with this kid. He made three calls home, each one increasing in intensity until the third call, which started out "I hate this place, I want to come home". I gave the phone to dad and after great encouragement, Wil went and reported this cadet to the "Commandant on Duty", Maj. Williamson. Maj. Williamson encouraged Wil that it was ok. Wil did one thing right and one thing wrong. He was right in reporting the cadet and wrong in waiting so long. The bully will pay the consequences. Look out demerits and tours, here we come.

There's one kid who called Wil a snitch and Wil just blew him off and told him to "Shut up. You don't know what you're talking about. " and that was it.

Wil feels much better now and is back on track. Life is good. Football is over and Wil is on to wrestling. He's in his next course of study, Earth Sciences, and says his teacher is a hoot.

Wil sees this cadet every day. He's on the wrestling team, but not in Wil's weight class. He lives in the barracks down the hall from Wil and they have the same break times. But, he doesn't get under Wil's skin any more. Once Wil realized that the staff is interested in Wil and helping him succeed, everything fell into place. He wasn't lone man out or the Lone Ranger or just alone. He has a whole school filled with staff that want the best for Wil (and all the cadets).

This is the first time Wil has had to make the tough choices, and we all know it won't be the last. I am thankful for the men at FUMA who dedicate their lives to the Lord and the raising up of fine Godly young men. Even the bullies. Everyone will be given the same opportunities to succeed and do their best. They must simply choose.

Wil has chosen to succeed.