I was at Fort Benning Georgia in August 1988 to attend jump school. I had done my basic training here four years earlier with Sgt. Smith who would be my black hat true instructor for airborne school. I was standing in formation at five in the morning. It was cold now, but Georgia has hot, humid daytime temperatures that were draining mentally and physically for a student from Northern California. I knew I wanted to be here even though there would be physical and mental stresses, challenges and the possibility of serious Injury. The students would be weeded out at every point. I did not want it to happen to me. During my four years in the Army, I learned that I like to be an independent, resourceful, goal oriented problem solver. In the infantry, I had to obey the orders and not think for myself. Uniformity in everything was demanded.
In November I had finished my sniper training. There was talk of being sent to Africa to help in the desert campaign during our graduation ceremony. I was never more nervous in my life. It was all becoming real; everything I worked for.
Being taken under the wing of my Army Instructor and guided in the right path is an experience like no other. Sergeant
I am not born with a silver spoon on my mouth to host a feeding program nor offer scholarships to others. I am just a college student. However, KINDLE, one of Rotaract Club's program, made me realize that we do not need to be rich in order to be of service to others. We could always help, if we truly want to. Afterall, money is just one of the million ways to
My life in the military was challenging yet rewarding. I have received an enormous amount of training for the two different jobs I served in. I have been to a multitude of duty stations. Also I have been deployed four separate times and worked many soldiers along the way. I had enjoyable careers while in the Army and have done and seen a lot.
I really didn’t understand what it meant to be a military officer on the day I walked into the Air Force recruiting office. No one in my family had served since my grandfathers fought in World War II, and they had both passed on long before I was born. I thought I would sign some paperwork, go to tr...
I completed my first combat deployment in 2007 with the Minnesota National Guard. Until that time I was what many describe as a “weekend warrior.” Meaning I had a profession outside the armed forces and spent just one weekend a month in my Army boots. While I had constantly been proud of my service to my nation, through my experiences over the course of that 22-month deployment I recognized that my real passion lies with the military. After I returned from that deployment I adjusted my commitment to the military from “weekend warrior” to full-time Active Guard Reserve Soldier. Since pursuing my career with the Minnesota National Guard I have thrived, being promoted ahead of my peers, taking on numerous leadership positions, and further making
The military community is filled with some of the country’s most dedicated and brave citizens, and military bases are always full of people from all different places with a variety of unique experiences. Being a member of a military family has exposed me to a myriad of different types of people, which the average person my age does not get to meet. Having this opportunity has shown me the value of honor, determination, and hardwork, all of which have motivated me to attend college, and hopefully medical school.
When I was young, I lived through an infamous day without knowing it – September 11, 2001. Growing up and seeing videos of the terrorist attacks, I knew I wanted to join the military and keep Americans safe from terrorism; however, I did not know which military branch to join. Until one day, the nearby city of Chattanooga experienced a traumatic event – a shooting of four Marines and a sailor. My family went to the site of the shooting, and I saw, firsthand, the brotherhood and values Marines have, such as honor, commitment, camaraderie, and pride. Seeing those values, I heard the call to serve as a Marine. I recalled my father saying, “If you decide to serve in the military, choose what you want to do – follow or lead.” His words catalyzed my drive to lead as an officer. While researching routes to a commission, I learned about the Naval Academy and became hooked. The Naval Academy held my interest because of the
It gave me the chance to be stronger and never give up on myself, my peers, my family or my subordinates. In my job as an Army Career Counselor, I don’t take a “NO” as an acceptable answer. I call, email or contact face to face whoever is that person need it to be contacted to make sure the Soldier receives all the information and help necessary on whatever is the situation. I will read, research and write an email or memorandum to whoever is need it to take care of the Soldier. As a young Soldier I was told “pick who you don’t want to be”, never understood the statement until I became a leader. I learned then, that I didn’t want to be the weakest link on the chain, I didn’t want to be out or empty of answers when required or need it. I didn’t want to be the change, I wanted to be part of the change; because it takes more than one person to make a change happen in an organization as big as the military. My cultural background help me to understand that I have a place in the pyramid of my job, the only difference is that in this one I don’t have to wait to age to rise up, I just need to work hard for my next rank and this will give me the chance to continue to be part of the
Our oldest is a Marine Corps Officer and watching him realize his dream as he navigated the Officer Candidate School selection process, followed by the 12 week school and then 6 months at The Basic School was something to witness. What it reminded me of was just how many paths there are to the finish line and one just may not be better than the next. The route my son choose was to attend college and
I was so excited, inspired and motivated that I wanted to do everything right away. I signed up for Panther Camp and there, I had the time of my life. Panther Camp was the key that smoothed the way into my first semester at FIU. I learned so much at Panther Camp about the school, the residential life, the FIU fight song, the clubs, and opportunities for involvement. At the end, I realized exactly what it takes to be an exemplary Panther. When I came back for school, all of the experiences built a strong base for me. I came in with the confidence that I could conquer the world of FIU and I owe it to the people who supported me throughout my experience, my peer advisor, Satchel and my facilitators, Jordan and
My two weeks of career work experience was an incredible time for me to expand my knowledge in working with seniors and an idea of what nursing would be like. I had a pleasure of working with a wonderful staff, enjoying their company and making my experience a great time.
Stepping onto CMC, I was captivated by the modern style architecture that complemented the entire campus. The first building that caught my eye was the Kravis Leadership Institute because of its mismatched placement of perpendicular rectangles. The rectangles added grit to the character of CMC. The building acted as a direct symbolization of how I felt CMC would add to my character through its leadership sequence. Throughout four years, the sequence would offer me a basis to add layers to my prior leadership skills through expanding my scientific, philosophical, and literary approaches to leadership. Although at first mismatched to my primary layer of leadership developed in ASB, the sequence offers another “rectangle” to build myself to the future leader I hope to one day encompass.
Now I see that if I did not get sent to military school that I would have let time slip away without accomplishing much. Military school completely altered my thinking. I now put full effort into everything I do and completely believe that I will succeed, no matter