Personal Narrative: My Leading As A Military Officer

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

Developing that character takes time and effort; I can recall one instance where my character was molded. In 2015, I served as the battalion commander for my JROTC unit. At the end of the fall semester, my JROTC instructors brought me into a room and had a discussion about the mistakes I had made while leading the battalion. I accepted these faults and asked how I could fix my mistakes. After the meeting, I learned more than how I could become a better leader; I developed a more profound sense of humility. I began to understand mistakes are going to happen, and I have to own up to those mistakes and learn from them. I also learned to listen to others’ concerns and suggestions. Many people tend to think humility is an indicator of incompetence. However, my humility is a sign that I appreciate the valuable contribution others’ have in making a team better. Being humble and responsible for my mistakes shows that my character is open to change and is willing to change for the