Hurry Up and Wait

2020-11-10T11:17:45-05:00

What I found to be my daily routine and one of the few constants throughout my time in the Marine Corps, probably reigns true within all branches of the military, was the feeling of “hurry up and wait.” For example, the normal routine of going to the field consists of 0500 Formation to stage packs/gear, head over to armory to draw weapons, and as always, the armorer is not there. When he finally shows up, its 0630 and one by one, we draw weapons and head back to gear. Then, we all proceed to post up and some might fall asleep on packs and others hang out at the smoke pit, waiting on Motor T to get there with the trucks that were supposed to be there by 0800.

Now its 0900 and Higher Ups are waiting on word for the trucks from Motor T. No-one knows what is going on, but you have been ready since 0500 to get the day started. Finally, around 1000 the trucks arrive, and you head out to either the range or field Op. You get to the field and set up the range but now of course, are waiting on word for range to be cleared hot, which easily takes hours to happen.

After leaving the Marine Corps and returning home, I started my journey to become a WWE Superstar. I thought that maybe this hurry up and wait lifestyle would be a thing of my past but, not only was wrestling school a process similar to boot camp, starting at the basics before I could advance into more difficult aspects of the job, I thought this process could never take as long to get done as things did in the military. I soon found out that I was rushing to learn, advance, and grow into this new profession only to have to wait to be deemed good enough to start wrestling on my school’s small shows and then, work my way up to be paid for larger events. It wasn’t until I acquired a WWE enhancement talent opportunity at RAW and Smackdown and was giving a try-out in hopes to become an NXT Superstar, WWE’s third brand stationed in Orlando, FL, that “hurry up and wait” would always be my constant.

Days in WWE/NXT are no different. Most days when you wake up, it’s time to go train at the gym. By the time an hour has passed, you have to head back to the hotel to shower and get ready to head to the arena for a call time at 1pm. Usually, the production team and writers are in meetings and aren’t out to start their day until around 3pm anyway. So, here you are waiting on word for what your match might consist of, if you have a promo and what you will have to say, or a backstage-segments and what the objective is. The majority of the time, anything that was given to you after the production meeting will be changed on minimum, 3 to 4 times. So, it’s a never-ending process of hurry up and wait. WWE Superstars joke that we are professional waiters.

I wanted to share this because one of the many lessons that the Marine Corps taught me has been the one constant I can expect in my everyday life as a WWE superstar. Prepare, hurry up, wait, and repeat. Life is just all about patience and adapting. No matter how prepared you think you are and are waiting to make it happen, things are going to change, and you need to be able to adapt on the fly. Not only do things change every second in combat, things change every second once becoming a WWE Superstar. The time of your match can change while you’re waiting to go through the curtain and you have little time to prepare changes or sometimes, it changes while you’re actually wrestling in the ring. You could get more time to your match or worse, time gets cut. Sometimes, your entire match or segment gets cut from TV because someone else takes too much time and now, you’ve prepared all day for nothing. Similarly, you can be tasked with an Op and for a week or two plan every second and every detail of the mission ahead, and just before you’re ready to head out, Higher cuts your entire Op. The disappointment is real, but you cannot do anything about it. You realize really quick that when this happens, because it will inevitably happen again, all you can control is heading to the next town or the next Op and be as prepared as you can be.

To be honest, I feel that my everyday life is nothing but a “hurry up and wait.” You need to forgive and forget and move on to the next one. You need continue the grind of prepare, hurry up, wait, and repeat no matter the goal. Just know that whatever it is that you are going through, someone else has been through the same or something similar. Worry about your own what your own “hurry and wait” is and be as prepared as you can be. If things change, adapt and don’t be afraid to fail. You are going to fall flat sometimes but it’s just a round down range.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2020 11:45 AM

2020-11-10T11:45:52-05:00

All part of the harassment package. I never saw anyone sleep standing up, until Plt Sgt Course SOI West. Mountain dew and catch a nap inline at weapons draw. Even as POGs we knew to pack an extra MRE if told hot chow was waiting, expected to hump both ways when told MT or lift will bring us back. Good training and BS at the time, but made us flexible.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 10 at 2020 12:36 PM

2020-11-10T12:36:47-05:00

Been there before on the hurry up and wait brother Cpl Stephen Kupryk

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Nov 10 at 2020 3:06 PM

2020-11-10T15:06:06-05:00

When I was passing through Kyrgyzstan, we were rushed to get our bags and gear loaded immediately so the flight could leave on time. We did...sat for three more hours...Then we were told to load up on the bus to get the pax terminal so we could get on the jet for on time departure...two hours later we were rushed onto the bus only to wait on the ramp before we could load. Just one story but there are many more.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 10 at 2020 5:46 PM

2020-11-10T17:46:25-05:00

Hurry up and wait is pronounced when you deploy. Wait at the company. Draw weapons and you are stuck a a gym. Sometimes you wait for the airplane. Sometimes not. Fly to a central hub in the ME. Some of us have to put our names on a waiting list to take us to our pin point locations. Often we live in tent city for a few days waiting for a flight. The dickhead captain I was traveling with thought it was funny to say we were manifested on plane so I grab all 3 of my heavy bags and rush to the terminal for nothing. Asshole! lol

Response by CPL Johnnie White made Nov 10 at 2020 7:32 PM

2020-11-10T19:32:50-05:00

After all these years that has not changed. WE would go to chow then double time across the came to get to the range. Once there would have to wait until the people in charge would get there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2020 8:20 PM

2020-11-10T20:20:03-05:00

Hi! Would you be open to coming on my podcast? I talk with veterans weekly and I think you would a huge inspiration to the veteran community! Hope to hear from you!

Response by MAJ Orlando Rivera made Nov 10 at 2020 8:29 PM

2020-11-10T20:29:38-05:00

The “Hurry Up & Wait” is engraved in my brain together with the “Suck it up & drive on”. As much as I dislike it, I can conform to those. What I can not conform is the “It is what it is”. Accepting the last is giving up without a fight and not attempting to make a difference, when needed. It’s throughout all Branches.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2020 11:07 PM

2020-11-10T23:07:20-05:00

My friend, if we are in the Army, an NXT Superstar, or a humble engineer manager: there is hurry up and wait in all our lives. That is a truth I learned a long time ago. Enjoy the moment my friend, that is the secret sauce of life. MHO

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 14 at 2020 12:04 PM

2020-11-14T12:04:19-05:00

A skill we have all learned. I learned to carry a book with me to every appointment!

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Nov 15 at 2020 3:36 PM

2020-11-15T15:36:11-05:00

Semper Fi Brother and hope you have tons of success and fun with the WWE

Response by Wayne Soares made Nov 18 at 2020 4:06 PM

2020-11-18T16:06:33-05:00

Thanks for the share brother Stephen

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Nov 19 at 2020 10:10 AM

2020-11-19T10:10:41-05:00

It's sad to hear your comments but very true too. If everyone took their jobs as seriously as you have to take yours! then those rifles and ammo would be ready when you are, those vehicles would be ready to draw when you are. I see troops all over the place with watches on their wrists as big or bigger than a dinner plate. Makes me think that everyone I see or meet is a SF or Delta Force Operator. You folks responsible for the basic load these troops need to do their mission need to look at your F$%&*# watches and get those #$&# supplies out to your troops if that's your responsibility! One late NCO in the Arms Room, one Lazy $%#@ in the motor pool and the whole mission is #$%@ up! These soldiers squeezing the triggers have to unscrew the #$@% ups that can't read their watches.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Nov 19 at 2020 5:59 PM

2020-11-19T17:59:11-05:00

AMEN to that.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Nov 23 at 2020 11:44 PM

2020-11-23T23:44:47-05:00

I think I got to see one of your matches and you are GOOD!!! Glad you partnered up with Gunner (that's the name I know your tag partner by fromn IMPACT) and give them H Marine-Semper Fi from an Army Missile Mutt turning Paralegal.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Nov 24 at 2020 2:13 PM

2020-11-24T14:13:41-05:00

A proud military tradition!

Response by Diane Greco Allen made Nov 25 at 2020 2:43 PM

2020-11-25T14:43:20-05:00

Sort of like sitting in a Doctor's office! HUAW! Thank You for your service! and Giving Thanks for being alive. Earn control of your health, be well Stephen.

Response by PO2 Gerry Tandberg made Dec 18 at 2020 1:46 PM

2020-12-18T13:46:49-05:00

Military service proved to be at least one part exercise in patiently waiting, one part accomplishing something important your were trained for, and one part in route too somewhere. Lt.Col suggested bring a book with you at all times. Today, I'd probably use my phone to read books on Kindle. Although it's been a long time since I served, I still HATE waiting in a line.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2020 10:01 AM

2020-12-20T10:01:43-05:00

Hurry up and wait teaches us, if you ain’t first you’re last. I’ve always gotta be first lol.

Response by SSG Greg Miech made Jan 18 at 2021 4:26 PM

2021-01-18T16:26:14-05:00

Has anyone yet realized the Military is the worse schedulers and waste of manpower by the hour? If we were paid by the hour the leadership would have their planning better.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Feb 18 at 2021 1:20 AM

2021-02-18T01:20:58-05:00

Looks familiar

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Feb 23 at 2021 5:31 PM

2021-02-23T17:31:57-05:00

The only time you need to hurry is when you owe money then they want it now.