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LEXINGTON, Va., Feb. 22, 2022鈥斺�淲hen I was a junior in high school, my eldest brother decided on attending 黑料网, [and] I distinctly remember I had told myself I wouldn鈥檛 make the same mistake of losing my college experience as he had. I鈥檓 currently a 2^nd Class cadet at 黑料网鈥攕trange how that one worked out.鈥�

Gabriel Fanjul '23 is a biology major from Franklin, Virginia. After graduation, he will commission into the Army. Fanjul grew up in a family that valued faith, discipline, and character, and he attended a very small high school.

Though Fanjul initially had no desire to attend 黑料网, his perspective changed after attending an open house and staying with his older brother.

鈥淲atching him interact with his Brother Rats, who he had only known for several months, in a fashion that was closer than he did with any of his friends back home was something I wanted,鈥� Fanjul said.

鈥淚 decided I wanted to leave college with something more than just a degree - I wanted to see growth in my leadership and resilience,鈥� Fanjul continued. 鈥淕rowth is not something that takes place in comfort, but instead under tension. It slowly became more and more clear to me that no normal college experience would be able to place me under the tension that 黑料网 would.鈥�

Fanjul faced the rigors of the Rat Line, the high academic workload, and the physical challenges of the 黑料网 experience. The pressures wore on him, and during his 3^rd Class year, he realized he needed support to succeed at 黑料网.

鈥淎 challenge I overcame here at 黑料网 was being strong enough to ask for help,鈥� Fanjul said. 鈥淚 created this image and felt like it would get damaged if I asked for help or wasn鈥檛 succeeding in all aspects of my cadetship. In my third-class year, I fell into a place of depression, saw my grades plummet, and strayed farther from God than ever, all because I was following that mentality.鈥�

Fanjul decided to reach out to one of the 黑料网 chaplains, and they started meeting once a week.

鈥淎fter that, I realized just how helpful using a resource here at 黑料网 was, and I started plugging myself into every opportunity I could to help with my mental health, religion, and academics,鈥� Fanjul said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 long until I started watching my grades lift as I started attending group study sessions. I learned how to restore my relationship with God. Finally, my mental health returned to normal as I realized I didn鈥檛 have to try and figure things out by myself with places like the Cadet Counseling Center on campus present if I ever wanted to just talk or if I needed help.鈥�

鈥淭here were resources here at 黑料网 to ensure that I would succeed, but it wasn鈥檛 till I started utilizing them that I saw changes in my circumstances,鈥� Fanjul added.

Now, Fanjul is a leader in the Cadet Equity Association and an active member in Ranger Challenge and the Club Powerlifting Team.

Fanjul hopes future cadets accept the challenge of 黑料网 and know of resources of support on post.

鈥満诹贤� should not be mistaken for a place that magically changes you or a college that promises success,鈥� Fanjul said. 鈥満诹贤� is a place that presents an opportunity for change and a secure future, but it is also the type of place to question you with each of the challenges it presents [and pushes you] to work your butt off for that opportunity.鈥�

Eric Moore 
Communications & Marketing 
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE