MikenNikes
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2022
- Messages
- 7
Prompt: Please write a one to two page essay explaining why you want to serve as an officer in the military.
(my essay is a page and a half long)
Being appointed to a military service academy would be an incredible honor. An experience that will challenge me to become a stronger person mentally and physically, to live by the high standards of a disciplined military environment, and best prepare me for my future in serving my country.
As a freshman, balancing college academics with military duties is challenging and doing it within the strict disciplined environment of a military service academy is even more challenging. The standards are high and designed to test and challenge a person’s intestinal fortitude to overcome physical as well as mental obstacles. I’ve grown up in a military family with a father who attended a secondary military academy, a grandfather who served 20+ years as an Army Artillery Officer, and a grandfather who retired from the Army with over 22-years of service between the Air Force and Army, followed-up by another 23-years as a JROTC instructor. Growing up in a military family has taught me perseverance, how to overcome adversity, and to prioritize what I need to do and even the needs of others over my own. These life lessons are foundations in how I approach and overcome challenges. As an AP Scholar, soccer team captain, and mentor in the community, you get pulled in many directions. In many instances, prioritizing isn’t enough, sacrifices must be made. Whether it be spending a Friday night making an investment club power point, studying early for an AP U.S. History test, taking college courses over the summer, waking up at 0500 to workout, or even helping a friend study for the ACT on my birthday. I consider responsibility and discipline to be my greatest strengths. These experiences and demanding schedule have prepared me to thrive in a strict military environment the likes of a service academy.
Even with this preparation in mind I understand being at service academy or in the military generally means adjusting to a different life, far removed from my family environment. Given that I’m a very family-oriented person, being away from loved ones will be difficult for me and a major drawback of this career choice. Aware of this, over the last couple of years, I’ve spent more quality time with my grandparents making weekly visits to watch football, handle yardwork, or share a meal. By doing this, I hope to make the most of the time I have with them and demonstrate that even when I’m gone, they’ll still be a priority in my life.
Growing up in a military family, so many people have inspired me to make a difference by joining the service, none more than my grandfather. I will never forget in 7th grade attending his JROTC retirement ceremony where I saw first-hand the difference he made in the lives of the people around him. It was in this moment I first saw what I wanted in life. By becoming a military officer, I hope to make the same difference in people’s lives that he did, guiding and leading those around me through the greater goal of serving our country.
My goal as an academy graduate is to become a military pilot. My preference and dream is to be a fighter pilot in the Air Force. Upon graduation from flight school and completing the necessary qualifications to join an operational unit, I would like to earn a leadership position as a flight lead or aircraft commander. If becoming a military pilot is not an option, I plan to become a cyber warfare officer, leaning on my Computer Science degree and passion for the subject. Likewise, my grandfather (on my mother’s side) initially wanted to become an Air Force pilot, however, during his sophomore year at the Citadel he was medically disqualified. Making the most of the situation, he contracted with the Citadel’s Army ROTC Detachment becoming an Artillery Officer upon commissioning. He went on to have a 20+ year career with no regrets. Ultimately, these are just goals, and the future is always uncertain. I will be flexible when entering the service understanding the needs of the military come before my personal desires and that serving is less about what you do, but why you do it.
I embrace challenge, because only by doing difficult things can we learn and grow as people, empowering us to leave a lasting impact on this world. My pursuit of growth and improvement is the primary reason I wish to attend a service academy over a traditional college experience. I am immensely grateful for the freedoms living in the United States has offered me and have a strong sense of duty to defend the democratic values this great nation is built upon. I have and will continue to prepare for the tasks ahead understanding the privilege and honor of being a military officer, the value of serving others, and my responsibility to make a difference.
Any general thoughts would be much appreciated. For those still working on essays, feel free to take tidbits but I ask you don't plagiarize.
Thanks in advance,
(my essay is a page and a half long)
Being appointed to a military service academy would be an incredible honor. An experience that will challenge me to become a stronger person mentally and physically, to live by the high standards of a disciplined military environment, and best prepare me for my future in serving my country.
As a freshman, balancing college academics with military duties is challenging and doing it within the strict disciplined environment of a military service academy is even more challenging. The standards are high and designed to test and challenge a person’s intestinal fortitude to overcome physical as well as mental obstacles. I’ve grown up in a military family with a father who attended a secondary military academy, a grandfather who served 20+ years as an Army Artillery Officer, and a grandfather who retired from the Army with over 22-years of service between the Air Force and Army, followed-up by another 23-years as a JROTC instructor. Growing up in a military family has taught me perseverance, how to overcome adversity, and to prioritize what I need to do and even the needs of others over my own. These life lessons are foundations in how I approach and overcome challenges. As an AP Scholar, soccer team captain, and mentor in the community, you get pulled in many directions. In many instances, prioritizing isn’t enough, sacrifices must be made. Whether it be spending a Friday night making an investment club power point, studying early for an AP U.S. History test, taking college courses over the summer, waking up at 0500 to workout, or even helping a friend study for the ACT on my birthday. I consider responsibility and discipline to be my greatest strengths. These experiences and demanding schedule have prepared me to thrive in a strict military environment the likes of a service academy.
Even with this preparation in mind I understand being at service academy or in the military generally means adjusting to a different life, far removed from my family environment. Given that I’m a very family-oriented person, being away from loved ones will be difficult for me and a major drawback of this career choice. Aware of this, over the last couple of years, I’ve spent more quality time with my grandparents making weekly visits to watch football, handle yardwork, or share a meal. By doing this, I hope to make the most of the time I have with them and demonstrate that even when I’m gone, they’ll still be a priority in my life.
Growing up in a military family, so many people have inspired me to make a difference by joining the service, none more than my grandfather. I will never forget in 7th grade attending his JROTC retirement ceremony where I saw first-hand the difference he made in the lives of the people around him. It was in this moment I first saw what I wanted in life. By becoming a military officer, I hope to make the same difference in people’s lives that he did, guiding and leading those around me through the greater goal of serving our country.
My goal as an academy graduate is to become a military pilot. My preference and dream is to be a fighter pilot in the Air Force. Upon graduation from flight school and completing the necessary qualifications to join an operational unit, I would like to earn a leadership position as a flight lead or aircraft commander. If becoming a military pilot is not an option, I plan to become a cyber warfare officer, leaning on my Computer Science degree and passion for the subject. Likewise, my grandfather (on my mother’s side) initially wanted to become an Air Force pilot, however, during his sophomore year at the Citadel he was medically disqualified. Making the most of the situation, he contracted with the Citadel’s Army ROTC Detachment becoming an Artillery Officer upon commissioning. He went on to have a 20+ year career with no regrets. Ultimately, these are just goals, and the future is always uncertain. I will be flexible when entering the service understanding the needs of the military come before my personal desires and that serving is less about what you do, but why you do it.
I embrace challenge, because only by doing difficult things can we learn and grow as people, empowering us to leave a lasting impact on this world. My pursuit of growth and improvement is the primary reason I wish to attend a service academy over a traditional college experience. I am immensely grateful for the freedoms living in the United States has offered me and have a strong sense of duty to defend the democratic values this great nation is built upon. I have and will continue to prepare for the tasks ahead understanding the privilege and honor of being a military officer, the value of serving others, and my responsibility to make a difference.
Any general thoughts would be much appreciated. For those still working on essays, feel free to take tidbits but I ask you don't plagiarize.
Thanks in advance,
