​DIG IT

Life at Ecole Militaire

 

In 1779 I was sent to Ecole Militaire, the royal military academy of Paris. This was no more than a continuation of my previous education. My task at this school was to narrow my studies. To find a specific branch of the military to lean on, learn about, and master my abilities in that field.

 

While in school, I took quite an interest in reading. Specifically about discipline and order, although I really had no preference. I began to develop my own ideas about battle and strategies that can be used in battle. I did however favour books of which were about Julius Caesar and Alexander the great. I idolized them. I saw their true greatness where others saw corruption. Both were powerful leaders, which was all I wanted to be, even if only on a small scale.

 

I was a good student, I had to be, I know it was hard for mother to send me away. My best subject was mathematics. My teachers all said I had great desire to learn. There really wasnt anything else to do. Learning was sort of your only option when you go to school for five years with no breaks.

 

I had no friends in school. All of the other students made fun of me and called me a loner. I couldn't blame them, I was a thin, awkward, country boy. They thought I didn't belong there, that I didn't deserve to be there. I had nothing in common with any of them. They were French and I was just a boy from Corsica. They were all rich young men, coming from families rich in military background. My mother could not afford for me the same things that they could. She could barely afford to send me to this school. So the rich boys made fun of me. 

 

I pushed through the tormenting, and just tried to focus on my studies. I worked hard in all my classes, and learned what I was supposed to. I graduated in 1785, and was appointed second lieutenant of the artillery in a regiment stationed in Valence. After being appointed to that position I fell in love with power. Deeply. Madly. In love with power.