Why I Choose To Be In AFROTC

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.

When I joined, I was looking for guidance and understanding of where I wanted to go. I was young, and the military guided me and made me the man I am today.

My initial interest in naval service came from the death of my grandfather. I never truly understood his service to my country because I was too young comprehend, but as I learned of his heroic contributions, I got a burning desire to want to serve as well. My grandfather had fought in WWII as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Philippines alongside the US Navy. He just barely took down an enemy ZERO before it came in on a strafing run on his base. When I became aware of his military history I was astounded and my grandfather instantly became one of the greatest influences in my desire to serve. He stood out to me as someone with honor, duty, and loyalty and never backed down from a challenge. He loved his country and risked everything for it and

I originally became interested in Naval service because of my military heritage. When I was younger, both of my grandfathers took care of me every day while my parents went to work. One of my grandfathers served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and the other served as a Merchant Marine during the Second World War and received the Purple Heart. Both of these veterans were instrumental in the early development of discipline and integrity. It is because of them that I gained a curiosity for military history. My grandfather that served as a Merchant Marine died when I was in first grade and it have always felt that it is my obligation to follow in his service to the United States by becoming an officer in the U.S. Navy. Once I started in high school, my grandfather that served in Korea began to tell me stories about his experience in the war which made me feel even further obligated to serve this great country.

The United States Army is one of the main factors that allows America to be a free and democratic country. The Army defends, protects, and honors the United States of America. Ever since I was a young boy, I saw greatness in the United States Army and hoped to one day be a part of it. I always envisioned myself in a leadership position and when I decided to join the Army, I knew being an officer was for me. To me, being an officer in the U.S. Army is a career unlike any other. There are many opportunities as an officer in the Army to advance, further education, and grow as a person. The army allows you to switch your MOS and attend more training to further education or to change careers completely which is something

Being in the military comes with plenty of benefits. Free education is probably the number one reason (how do you think I am paying for my school right now). You get to travel and see things you thought you would never see. Not only do you become physically tough but also mentally tough. You become prepared for the tough civilian life. Markos Moulitsas Zuniga repots that, “The Army taught me the very values that make us progressives--community, opportunity, and investment in people and the future.” Although many feel that they should not join the military it can really improve our lives and they way we think.

I want to become an Army officer because I long for a career that will provide continual professional development opportunities while pushing me to reach my full potential as a leader, and will also position me to make a positive impact globally. I believe that by becoming an Army officer I can accomplish this because I have seen the success of those that have gone before me. I come from a family of people who have served in our nation’s military, and their lives are a testimony to the renowned individuals that the Army produces.

Why did you enter the military? What impact did this decision have upon your family? What military core values/traditions did you identify with most, and why? Did values/belief systems change between entering the military and during their time in service?

My mindset was what other way to find out if the army life was for me, than to join as an Active Duty soldier? Being sheltered my whole life, I saw it as an opportunity for me to grow, and get to know the real world. Now, when I look back on my decision and see how much I have changed over the past ten months, I could not be any happier. I have learned so much from my Leadership, and I would not trade the experience I have gained for anything in the world.

I feel that becoming an officer would better me as an individual and as a soldier. It would teach me many more leadership skills and how to act in such positions. I chose to go this route because I have never been a follower. I feel that I was born to lead and I took up my opportunity to join ROTC and become that leader that I know I can be. I feel that me being an officer is the perfect thing for me. I have great leadership skills and have no problems motivating and being a great example to others. I am not shy of speaking in front of people and do well with giving orders. Being an officer requires you to ne an outstanding person and that is who I see myself to be. I feel that I will be great at making important decisions in stressful situations. Becoming an officer will be a great way for me to learn how to be calmer and not so quick to lash out. I feel that it will teach me patience and show me that no leader is perfect. It is in me to lead and teach others. I believe in being greater and expanding who I am through experiences and learning to press forward. I feel that being a commissioned officer will allow me great opportunities in my civilian life and help further my

From the beginning, the military has provided me with a stable future. I have gotten the chance to live in different parts of the US and I had the opportunity to live in Germany. I have been exposed to different people from all around the world as a result of the military. It has given me a taste of adventure and left me wanting to explore the world, to learn about new cultures and make connections with different people. The military has taught me not to dwell too much on the past, because you will always have a chance to better yourself. The constant relocation allows the chance to reflect on past mistakes and to prevent future ones from

The military has always been a part of my family’s life. My grandfather was in the army along with his son and my grandmothers other son’s. I also have many cousins who are still in and one who worked at the Pentagon. My uncles use to always tell us stories about their military service and how much they learned. Most of my cousins that joined only joined because of these stories and the lavish lifestyles they have seen my uncles live. Unlike them, I wasn’t drawn in by the stories my uncles told me, or the war letters from my deceased grandfather. For some reason it was my mothers dream for me; probably because its always something she wanted to do but was afraid, a fantasy I wasn’t quite ready to live in for her or them.

I joined because of men like my dad, Earl, who served in the US Navy in WW11, your grandfather, Howard and his brother Harlan, who served in the US Army. I was intrigued by the stories, they sometimes told. Vietnam was getting hotter and many of my classmates from Erskine Academy, class of 69, were being drafted into the Army. My draft number was 34, so I knew I

I grew up in a military family. My father was an air force officer who trained others in piloting helicopters. As a young boy, I found this to be very fascinating and I thought I was going to follow in his footsteps. Sadly, he died in a helicopter crash in 1998. He was a very important person in my life that I considered as a mentor. Consequently, I gradually started losing interest in serving in the army. It was a major setback.

Here are some of the reasons why I am so hooked on being in the national guard one of them reasons being is because I want to be the first in my family to stand up for what he/she believes in. I want to fight for my freedom and for the freedom of my family. The national guard seems like it would greatly impact my life from teaching me discipline and showing me how life really works. I have recently gotten in contact with some of the sergeants. Sergeant Derek Allen has positively showed and convinced me that that is something I want to do with my life. I am signed up to take the ASVAB test coming up to help me get into the guard.