Growing up I was never exposed to veterinary medicine, so I can’t say that this is what I’ve wanted to do with my life ever since I can remember. Law enforcement was where my interest lay during my developing years and was what prompted me to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. It wasn’t until I was 19 years old that I got my first taste of the field, and it was over before I ever had a chance to realize what was happening. I was just beginning training as a Military Working Dog (MWD) Handler, and was taking my first MWD for a health screening before training commenced. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me; pride at having been selected for this opportunity, awe of the confidence and skill the veterinarian and technicians possessed,
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I learned how to be a leader, the ability to have incredible attention to detail, and perseverance in the face of hardships. Leadership came to me early, as I excelled in every duty that was assigned to me. I initially was responsible for the training and conduct of 4 others, and would eventually lead as many as fifteen other Marines. The highlight of my leadership experience is leading a dozen Marines on combat patrols during my time in Iraq. Each time we left the base these men placed full confidence in my ability to keep them out of danger from hidden explosives. It was a very unique experience to me, and it allowed me the gain confidence in my ability to make decisions that have very high consequences. Meticulous attention to detail allowed me to be successful not only in the numerous uniform, record, and equipment inspections one faces in the military, but in practice allowed me to notice even the smallest irregularities in roadways, terrain, and environment that kept my fellow Marines out of harm’s way. I suffered a serious injury while training in the summer of 2009 that would eventually be the end of my military career. I was completely devastated after receiving the news from my doctor that my career was essentially over. Being a Marine was one of the first things I really excelled at, and having that stripped from me was soul crushing. I spent years trying to decide what I would do with myself. After a lot of physical therapy and refocusing my sights on a new goal I entered college and was greeted with a similar amount of success as I had obtained in the Marines. The whole process thought me that I can endure and persevere through even the toughest of obstacles and still
I learned how to be a leader, the ability to have incredible attention to detail, and perseverance in the face of hardships. Leadership came to me early, as I excelled in every duty that was assigned to me. I initially was responsible for the training and conduct of 4 others, and would eventually lead as many as fifteen other Marines. The highlight of my leadership experience is leading a dozen Marines on combat patrols during my time in Iraq. Each time we left the base these men placed full confidence in my ability to keep them out of danger from hidden explosives. It was a very unique experience to me, and it allowed me the gain confidence in my ability to make decisions that have very high consequences. Meticulous attention to detail allowed me to be successful not only in the numerous uniform, record, and equipment inspections one faces in the military, but in practice allowed me to notice even the smallest irregularities in roadways, terrain, and environment that kept my fellow Marines out of harm’s way. I suffered a serious injury while training in the summer of 2009 that would eventually be the end of my military career. I was completely devastated after receiving the news from my doctor that my career was essentially over. Being a Marine was one of the first things I really excelled at, and having that stripped from me was soul crushing. I spent years trying to decide what I would do with myself. After a lot of physical therapy and refocusing my sights on a new goal I entered college and was greeted with a similar amount of success as I had obtained in the Marines. The whole process thought me that I can endure and persevere through even the toughest of obstacles and still