Branch Night Poem

"Twas the Night Before Branching"
Twas the night before branching, when all through the corps,
not a firstie was stirring, besides CDOs going door to door.
Their preferences were entered to DMI with care,
in hopes that big Army's allocations be fair.
The First Class were nestled all snug in their racks,
except the engineering students with no time to relax.
the Supe with his bivvy, the Comm in her cot,
had just settled in, 4 stars, I have not.
When out on the Plain*, there arose such a clatter,
I sprung from the bed to see what was the matter,
away to the window I flew like a flash
moving so fast, I forgot my red sash.
The moon on the breast of the mighty green lawn,
gave light to the trees whose leaves were long gone,
When, what to my cadet eyes could not cope
but a humvee carrying a single yellow envelope.
With a little old driver, so crusty and quick,
I knew in a moment, it was DMI 6.
And there in the humvee there was not just one,
but a pile of envelopes, as big as the sun.
Engineers, finance, infantry, aviation,
cyber, MI, and transportation.
FA, Med Service, chem corps, AG,
ADA, Armor, signal and MP.
For three long years the Firsties sure tried,
they bled, they sweat, and even some cried.
There in the stack, futures are bestowed,
answering the question, how tomorrow will bode.
But of more than 1000, just 30 from all,
having earlier this week, from their TAC was a call.
Just straight from their mouth, no room to connive,
their branch allocations, are beyond their top five.
But alas tomorrow, no need to isolate,
for with their brothers in arms, instead they'll celebrate.
'Cause over the years, camaraderie was built,
bond unbelievable tight, not ever to wilt.
Through boxing, combatives, the IOCT.
through mil move, and all other classes of DPE,
and paper, TEES, and Academic rigor.
Accomplishing more, than most of us had figured.
There was beast, and buckner, and CLDT,
Physical, Academic, and military IADs.
Through thick and thin we went through it together,
through the rain snow, and all the bad weather.
With pride in my chest I return to my bed,
with images of tomorrow, aglow in my head.
Among my classmates, I will learn forthright,
Good luck branching to all, and to all, a good night.
-Cadet Aryne Riley '17