Ever since I was young I have recognized my intrinsic passion for leadership, service, and computers. Although I was never known to turn down a game of capture the flag or flashlight tag, I spent a lot of my time reading about the Navy SEALs or about how to distinguish an F-15 Eagle from an F-14 Tomcat. I would stay up late to figure out how to make programs or build websites for fun. One of the more vivid memories I have is when I decided to disassemble my family’s new x486 computer, only to reassemble it upon my parent’s stern demand. My passion and desire to lead is what eventually led to my involvement in organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Civil Air Patrol. My penchant for military service precipitated me to apply for NROTC and
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I had been running for over seven hours and I still had ten more miles to go. My mind was starting to play tricks on me and the reality of crossing the finish line was in serious question. Whether it be the 50-mile ultramarathon I eventually finished or the hours of bridge watch I have stood since joining the Navy, I was not born a quitter. Despite there being times during many races where my mind had hit a wall or situations on the bridge of the ship I just wanted to walk away from, tenacity is a strength I have always valued and strived to espouse. In the profession of naval warfare there are numerous schedule changes, equipment casualties, or other unforeseen circumstances which come up on a daily basis. Although some might be more arduous to deal with than others, the Captain of the ship can’t tell the Admiral, “Sorry Sir, we will not be able to launch Tomahawk missiles tonight.” The inability to execute a mission due to a situation being too challenging is not an option – we owe our commanders and the American people nothing less than successful mission execution. Having the tenacity to reach mile marker 26.2 or meet the objectives set out before me, despite the challenges, has provided me some of my most memorable and rewarding accomplishments. With a passion for the field, a boldness to step onto the path of the unknown, and the tenacity to do whatever it takes to reach this
I had been running for over seven hours and I still had ten more miles to go. My mind was starting to play tricks on me and the reality of crossing the finish line was in serious question. Whether it be the 50-mile ultramarathon I eventually finished or the hours of bridge watch I have stood since joining the Navy, I was not born a quitter. Despite there being times during many races where my mind had hit a wall or situations on the bridge of the ship I just wanted to walk away from, tenacity is a strength I have always valued and strived to espouse. In the profession of naval warfare there are numerous schedule changes, equipment casualties, or other unforeseen circumstances which come up on a daily basis. Although some might be more arduous to deal with than others, the Captain of the ship can’t tell the Admiral, “Sorry Sir, we will not be able to launch Tomahawk missiles tonight.” The inability to execute a mission due to a situation being too challenging is not an option – we owe our commanders and the American people nothing less than successful mission execution. Having the tenacity to reach mile marker 26.2 or meet the objectives set out before me, despite the challenges, has provided me some of my most memorable and rewarding accomplishments. With a passion for the field, a boldness to step onto the path of the unknown, and the tenacity to do whatever it takes to reach this