Upon coming back from Iraq as a highly decorated Army Ranger, my family welcomed me as a hero in their eyes. Although my appearance looked complete, inside was a wounded soldier who would begin a new battle within. I am a first generation American, born in Southeast Los Angeles of immigrant parents who migrated from Mexico. I am the middle child of three and grew up in a working class community where I attended school. Although I was never a stand out student, my hard work kept me at a passing range. When I began high school many of my friends began to get involved in gangs and drugs. I on the other hand joined the football team to stay out of trouble and graduate from high school. It was during this time that I made the decision that has impacted and continues to impact my life by serving my country during a time of war in The United States Army. The year was 2003 and the war on terrorism had begun in Iraq, I took the biggest step in my life to join the United States Army. Although I was …show more content…
After having gotten out and continuing with my struggles it was not until 2013 that I began to receive help from the Veterans Affairs. It was then that I realized the veteran community that I belong to lacked many resources. Moreover, after receiving counseling from other fellow veterans, I realized was one of the biggest improvements in my recovery to cope with the day-to-day lifestyle. Realizing the importance of counseling, inspired me to pursue an education in social work. Having had participated in research conducted by the University of Southern California, I then realized the efforts being made in order to help the veteran community. Therefore, my long-term goal has become to eventually get admitted to the USC School of Social Work, where I can become an asset in helping veterans and their
Growing up, life wasn't easy. As a result of these adversities, I've been able to not only see, but personally experience, having a constant battle in my life. Throughout this journey of life, I’ve had the opportunity to meet people and learn about different backgrounds and hardships many others suffer from. These experiences,
I knew I loved to help others but it was not until I was an emerging adult that I knew what my calling was. My devotion to improve the quality of life for those who are disadvantaged is one of the reasons I have chosen to pursue a Master’s in Social Work. After obtaining my masters, I plan on diversifying my masters by getting licensed and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I would like to study social work because I feel it will lead me directly to one of the most emotionally fulfilling careers available, as well as giving me the chance to combine helping people 's mental well being with their physical
Every day of my life I have woken up to the sound of Reveille, and gone to bed listening to Taps. I have moved nine different times, know the feeling of having my dad deploy more than four times, and eating Thanksgiving dinner in a DEFAC is second-nature to me. Being an army child is a huge part of my life, however it does not define who I am; it has shaped how I view the world. Because of my life as a military child, I have determined that I am compelled to positively influence how others view life.
12 Aug 1962. One year to the day, Anton and Josef disappeared around that alley corner. At high noon a loud commotion originated from the west. It didn’t matter where you were in the city or on which side; everyone could heard the clear exaggerated honking from automobile horns pressed hard in a synchronized protest of the wall.
Chiefly, this plan of action includes a change in my medication, additional counseling sessions, and me enrolling in the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program, which is designed to help Veterans like myself to develop a rehabilitation plan that will lead to employment based on my personal interest of obtaining my Bachelor degree in Business Administration here at Ashford University, in conjunction with reintegrating me back into the community at the highest functional level possible. In addition to utilizing these effective methods, I will also make sure to keep an open line of communication with my Student Advisor Joan Welch and my Lead Veteran Access &Wellness Counselor Ashley Kirwan in order to stay on track with achieving my goals that are expressed within my plan of
I have known that I wanted to go into the field of Social Work since my first year of undergraduate studies at SUNY at Fredonia. I entered SUNY at Fredonia as a major in secondary education, with a concentration in English. It was during my first semester of my freshman year that I had taken an introductory course in psychology. I realized then that I wanted to work with people, but not in the capacity as a secondary education teacher, but in a career in mental health. My professor spoke with such enthusiasm about the subject of psychology and psychopathology and soon, I found myself intrigued with these subjects. I wanted to help individuals who needed the help, especially knowing the stigma mentally illness exists in society.
My passion to become a social worker began when I was pursuing an undergraduate degree. From a young age because of my compassion and empathetic nature, I knew that I wanted to work inside the human service field. I wanted to use my personal characteristics to improve individual’s lives. Social work was my calling because of the many different areas in the field that are all primarily focused on making a difference. I am interested in clinical social work, working with individuals and families.
Cense the cold times in January little Cassi had been helping me with books and being like my best friend and it was nice. I told her stuff that I hadn't told anyone. Then one day she told me that she had a real nice surprise for me. She also said that she found it in the woods but I didn’t mind. I was just so happy that Cassie was so sweet and got me something. As I watched Cassi step into the dry gully then to the bank I was getting tired of walking. “It ain’t far. You need to see this.” So I ran as fast as I could loosing my balance. As we started walking again I felt lost. “You sure it's this way, little Cassie?” “Not to much farther. There it is.” We walked into a dark little spot with vines every where in the
“Why would you want to interview me when there are plenty of people back home that would be easier to interview in person?” asks John Stout. He is about 5’11, has dark black hair and his eyes are a rich chocolaty brown. He is tan and has a strong muscular body. John is currently deployed in Bagram Afghanistan. He departed on July 7th, 2016 and will not return until April of 2017. He grew up in Fort Ripley, MN and graduated from Brainerd High School in 2014. John is very close with his Mother, Father, Brother and Sister. He grew up with a wrench in his hand and always helped his Father work on project cars and fixing things around the house. To John, family is everything. His family always took vacations and every summer, he gets to travel around the United States for Army training. John grew up in a military family. His Father works as a Warrant Officer in the Minnesota National Guard and his Brother, Curtis, is in the Marine Corps and is also deployed right now.John has always wanted to serve his country
Every once a year my family and I decide where to go for a vacation over the summer. This past summer we decided to go on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.Our vacations are usually just by plane or by car, but this year my parents wanted to make it interesting and suggested that we go on a cruise. The next day we bought our tickets, parked our car in the lobby , and started up the escalating stairs to be approved. The moment I stepped into the ship I could feel the wave of adventure pushing me down with excitement.
Dr. D is a cardiothoracic surgeon. He was my hero. He may well still be, even though he is a throw-back to the days when I was more concerned about science than symbolism.
I wasn’t much to look at, had a job as a taxi driver to pay my rent. I eventually volunteered for the army became a marksmen and a pretty damn good one. I had nothing to live for, orphaned at the aged of sixteen no one to take care of me. That’s why I volunteered. However, I was working when my mom died at the rally and my father died before I was born. So my alterative motive to come back was to get some closure on what little family I used to have.
“Finally, we’re here! Africa, here we come!” Sara shouts with joy. That 15-hour flight is over, but luckily I got the window seat.
I grew up in a small town and after I graduated high school I wanted more in life than a 9 to 5 job; I wanted to see the world. I had a few friends that had joined the military and had come home to visit with exciting stories about their experiences. I noticed a change in a few of them; they seemed to walk a little taller, maybe act a bit more mature. This, along with the intrigue of life outside of my small town, drew me to consider joining the military. I met a recruiter in Lakeland Florida in July of 1989 and a few months later on September 26th I raised my right hand and took the Oath of Enlistment. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.
I have experienced crisis and a lot of pain that had a profound effect on me, after a process of soul searching I have decided the best use of the skills that I have acquired which satisfied a need to give back to my community. I therefore have chosen to become a social worker. While traveling around the world I found that I am capable of dealing calmly, sensitively and supportively with people in fraught and stressful situations. With this in mind I believe that a MSW would best suit. me as it would allow me to use those skills in order to help and support people. My goal is to continue on to post graduate studies at which point I would like to specialize in health and mental health issues that are faced by military veterans while understanding the policies that impact the military, veterans and service