Why I Became An Air Force Academy

My desire to serve in the United States Air Force as a commissioned officer stems from the environment in which I grew up and an underlying, deep-rooted desire for public service. Many members of my family were privileged to serve in different capacities. In fact, I was able to obtain academic credentials because of their service. I feel that it is only right that I spend a portion of my life using the knowledge, skills, and abilities I have earned to serve my country in this capacity.

I want to attend the Air Force Academy so I can further my education and enhance my leadership capabilities for the Air Force. The Academy’s strenuous training and academics will equip me with the necessary skills and experiences to lead, plan, and execute the highly important missions of the military. I possess a mindset of determination and selfishness, necessary to handling the rigorous curriculum and adversity of the Academy. The school will push me beyond my comfort zones and throw many obstacles my way, forcing me to adapt and over come on a more challenging level. The Academy will take and mold me into a young and diverse leader of tomorrow’s generation of armed forces. I yearn at the chance to be a leader amongst team-members, display

My initial interest in the Air Force Academy was sparked when I accompanied my parents to a Military Child Education Coalition conference in the summer of 2004. My father and I, not involved in the conference, decided to spend the week exploring the Colorado Springs area, and after touring for several days, decided to go to what my father called "Zoomie U". We took the typical summer tourist tour, but I was enthralled. The chapel, the mountains, and the campus excited me, despite my youth. I spent the rest of the vacation asking questions on how to go to the Academy, what I could do in the Air Force,

Being a leader was never my strong suit, but I often put myself in situations that required me to improve. I would frequently see my younger family seeking advice but were often discouraged since they felt uncomfortable asking their elders. This led to me becoming their mentor because I experienced similar issues first due to being a first generation student.

I believe I have many leadership skills and experiences. I am currently the Vice President of the Red Cross Club, and the Historian of Club MED. In addition, I have volunteered to be a leader in Vacation Bible School and an assistant in Korean School. Lastly, I act as a leader also in the classrooms assisting students in subjects that I feel confidant. Being a leader allow me to learn many technical skills and improves my communication with others. It required many responsibility and patient. Yet, I suppose being a leader has made me an optimistic

My personal experiences of leadership started when I was younger, roughly 7 years old, I was elected the captain of my travel soccer team. At the time I didn’t think much of it, nor did I have any extra duties that I was explicitly told that I needed to perform. Later throughout the season, I started to notice my teammates mimicking my styles and techniques and I highly enjoyed this feeling of being looked up to. I didn 't realize until years after that the recognition and pride I felt was leadership. This privilege of being captain was the first time I had realized that people weren 't necessarily following my actions because I was extraordinarily skilled, but because I provided this role model status with my confidence and encouragement. Some of the most valuable leaderships traits that I acquired and fortified are:

Have you ever thought about joining the Air Force? Well , if you haven’t, just imagine the respect you’d get for serving our country, the pride you’d feel for helping keep America safe. Imagine flying all around the world and meeting so many varieties of people, seeing lots of different cultures. (Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Quincy) Although the USAFA has its disadvantages, it teaches future service men and women many qualities that they can use in their lives. It also shapes these cadets for the military by teaching them discipline, responsibility, and good work ethic.

I have demonstrated leadership in a several different ways. During middle school, I was a member of the National Junior Honor Society. In fact, I gave up a majority of my study halls to help out the advisor. I am currently a captain of my fall sport. Because I hold this position, I help the underclassmen during games, encourage them, and resolve conflicts. In addition to that, I used to be a teacher’s assistant to a second grade religious education class. Next year, I plan to join student government and maintain leadership positions.

In class we defined leadership as using relationships to influence others. Before I came to the Academy I believed that a person could only lead their peers or subordinates. I did not believe that a subordinate could lead their superior. In high school I had many opportunities to develop my leadership with peers and subordinates. I was an officer of National Honor Society, and using that influence and my prior knowledge of NHS activities from the year before I was able to practice my leadership with my peers. I learned how to communicate in a manner to convince them to take action quickly, but not in a way that would seem overbearing or condescending. Furthermore, I was able to be a small group leader for a number of middle school retreats at my parish. In working with sixth grade boys I learned how to deal with insubordination and chaos, and with both of these groups of people I began to understand what was needed in a relationship between a leader and a follower. Our relationship had to be characterized by sincerity and respect. In both of these activities, those that I was leading could have easily stepped back and not paid attention to anything I was asking them to do. I had to convince them that I was absolutely dedicated to what I was trying to do, and that I had their best interest in mind. When leading middle school retreats I had to be a role model and show I valued my relationship with

As I was growing up, I naturally looked for ways to help my community. It was an concept that I was extremely fond and passionate about at an early age. Through this, leadership came easily and almost inherently. When high school came I emerged myself within the wide variety of activities. It was just an effortless tendency. I loved being involved, therefore I got myself involved. As a freshmen, I was at the bottom and I watched in amazement of how the upperclassmen led with such confidence and drive. I aspired to be like them one day. With this large desire to make my mark in my small community, I naturally took on leadership roles because I wanted to make an impact, a lasting impact. John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others

As an introvert, I never believed that leadership would be my cup of tea. Quiet, observant, soft-spoken. Those are not the traits of a leader...or so I thought. Then, I journeyed to Europe for 20 days with People to People to become a Student Ambassador. Meeting a Parliament member in England and representing The United States of America to a group of German students opened my eyes to the world of leadership and showed me how capable of leading I truly was. Entering my sophomore year of high school, I was selected to be a National Honor Society Member, the Vice President of the Beta Club, and a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. While all of the leadership positions I’ve experienced have been extraordinary and eye opening, the most significant

Leading did not come natural to me at first, as I was shy and suffer from social anxiety to this day. However, I exposed myself to a plethora of activities and clubs which, in more than one way, forced me to take on some form of leadership role. These positions allowed me to work through the anxiety and become more comfortable branching out. Once I became the stage manager for my school’s musical after working with the program for three years, I began to get a feel for being in charge of something bigger than myself while also sharing the experience with my cast members. I gradually grew acclimated to the

When I am older I want to join the Airforce because when I was four my oldest brother left to go to the Airforce. I have always been very active and that is an important skill in the Airforce. I’ve always wanted to work in an airplane. I don’t want to be a pilot, but I want to be a load master. A load master is someone who has to load all the supplies and calculate the mass and weight of each occupant and supply box to make sure the planee can carry it. The necessary training is a very rigorous training schedule to continue being in shape and ready. The education varies, but for every cadet (resident of the Academy) there is a four year education scale. Any occupant that joins can grow in the ranks. If someone goes through the academy, they will join the force as an Airman or an officer. If someone goes through boot camp, they’ll be an Airman basic. It will be hard work and college won’t be

Due to my passive nature, I’ve always avoided leadership roles. With that being said I still aspire to be someone who can be looked to as a leader. In order to reach that goal I observe and try to mimic the actions of people that inspire me. There have been many people I’ve taken orders from, but I have “followed” few. Those are the ones I consider to be true leaders, and have tried to be like myself.

When reflecting on my experience as both a student and a life learner, I never would have considered myself a leader. In fact, I have always been the shy kid who hides in the back of the class and panics whenever it is their turn to respond to a question. College however provided me with an opportunity to develop myself as a leader. I became more active in school activities and actively sought out leadership roles. As I’ve progressed in my professional life, I’ve become more interested in what it takes to make a strong leader. When assuming leadership roles, I’ve always considered myself an authentic leader but I know I’ve often struggled in detailing clear goals for my group or organization. Thankfully, Enrolling in the effective