Just wanted to add my thanks to those who have so graciously offered their thoughts and insights to this thread. A few observations:
For all the talk of ghost kit and cheat codes, I have been extremely impressed by how quickly these types of short cuts have been likened to dishonourable tactics. Beginning one's career with an ever-escalating program of subterfuge seems unworthy, especially within a context of honour and integrity. Thanks to those who so responded. It matters.
Questions and concerns that have been clearly posited to this forum from a position of semi-panic and obvious over-thinking have been handled with a certain professional grace, where ridicule and sarcasm could have just as easily been used. This is most gratifying. Keeping the butt-hurt to a minimum is never easy.
It is also mildly impressive the manner in which reality and concurrent experience is herein deployed against the sometimes unreasonable expectations and conclusions arrived at by the as-yet-uninitiated. Calm, clear, concise, and concrete information abounds from the efforts of those here in the know, and that is a gift of great worth.
I have received my travel orders and will be enrolled in a few days. I am a hale 43 years of age, and eager to begin. I shall do so bolstered by the information and insights gained from those who have gone before me, and who have so generously shared some of what they know in these fora.
Thank you once again.