I have always had a great respect for the Marine Corps, and I especially admire that every Marine is a rifleman first. I have had the privilege to talk to many Marines, and I sometimes PT with Marines at my local recruiting station. This has given me a great respect for the caliber of men in the Marine Corps. I aspire to play a part in the Marine Corps mission, to be part of America’s force in readiness, and to learn to lead like a Marine. This has led me to pursue a commission as an officer in the Marine Corps, as I could imagine no greater honor than leading Marines. To learn the skills to effectively lead in the Marine Corps, I want to attend the best leadership school in the country- the Naval Academy. I understand that the Naval Academy does not guarantee a commission in the Marine Corps, but cruises with submarine, aviation, and Marine Corps units offer exposure to different aspects of the Naval Service. This will ensure I end up where I best fit, even if it is not in the Marine Corps. Since the Naval Academy is a first-rate engineering school, I will also be able to achieve my goal of an engineering degree. I find the Academy’s Aerospace Engineering program with a focus on Astronautical Engineering very interesting. I have also …show more content…
Sponsored by the American Legion, Boys State is a summer program where high school juniors participate in a mock government to learn the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. Boys State employs a very rigorous schedule, much like the Academy. I rose before 5:30 each morning, TAPS played at 10:30 PM, and everything from lecture to athletic periods was packed in between. I learned how to march, how to prepare a room for inspection, and how to participate in a pass in review. Most importantly, I met some of the most talented of my peers from across Tennessee. And I loved every minute of