PO3 Guild’s Journey: From Sea Cadet to West Point
Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Guild
Cruiser Milwaukee Division – Wausau, Wisconsin
We are proud to highlight Petty Officer Third Class (PO3) Xavier Guild, a dedicated member of the Cruiser Milwaukee Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets, who has recently accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
In this exclusive interview, Xavier shares the story of his journey from joining the Sea Cadets in 2021 to receiving not just one, but three academy appointments: the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and West Point. His decision to attend West Point was driven by a careful reflection on personal goals and alignment with the opportunities offered by the Army.
Xavier originally joined the Sea Cadets to strengthen his leadership, character, and military readiness - attributes essential for academy acceptance. In his own words, the program provided him with “real-world practical experiences” and life-changing lessons in resilience, discipline, and confidence.
He speaks candidly about his early struggles at Recruit Training (RT), including barely passing the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) and being challenged by drill instructors. But rather than give up, Xavier pushed forward. He now credits RT and Sea Cadet training with preparing him for experiences such as studying abroad in Taiwan through the NSLI-Y scholarship and embracing cybersecurity training - even when outside his comfort zone.
Xavier also reflects on the camaraderie, volunteer leadership, and hands-on activities that made his time in the Sea Cadets so impactful, from room-clearing drills to financial literacy workshops and cyber defense simulations. He acknowledges the tireless efforts of adult leaders who create meaningful, mission-driven experiences for cadets.
Despite living hours away from our drill site in Milwaukee, Xavier routinely woke up as early as 3:30 a.m. or found other ways to be present - demonstrating an extraordinary level of commitment.
When asked what advice he’d give to prospective cadets, Xavier said it best:
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“Join for a reason you believe in, and then take advantage of every opportunity presented.”
We are grateful for the leadership and example Xavier set during his time in Cruiser Milwaukee, and we are proud to see him take this next bold step in his journey as a future Army officer. Congratulations, Xavier - you are always part of the Sea Cadet family, and we can’t wait to see where your path leads next.
Think you have what it takes? Step up. Suit up. Join the Sea Cadets.
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