Personal Narrative: Growing Up As An Army Brat

Diversity has been an integral part of the fabric of my life. Growing up as an Army Brat was very multi faceted. One of the most positive elements was the exposure I received in my schools and on post. My childhood neighborhoods were rich with different cultures, races and religious backgrounds. Many of my oldest friends share unique traditions that to the average town, would seem remarkable and even unfathomable. Being exposed to these different types of people has prepared me for relations with people unlike me in the future. I believe that my experiences with those of different cultures will lead me to be a successful cadet at the Academy. When my family moved to a post in the year of 2011, my environment drastically changed. The military post of West Point introduced me to new friends of many religions, races and cultures. My fellow sixth graders taught me that everyone was unique and that every culture was special. One of my closest friends was named Lucas Sanchez, and he moved to West Point from Toledo, Spain. Other diverse friendships I created included Sydney Shannon, who comes from Irish and Korean backgrounds, and also my friend Jordan Baeza, who is both Hispanic and African

The town I moved to introduced me to many wonderful teachers and peers, but it is definitely the epitome of small town, USA. Since the town boasts a small population, it is home to very little diversity. Moving to my new home taught me a very important lesson in the importance of differing cultures. I had believed earlier that every town in our nation identified with their own types of diversity, but Tipp City exhibited that this was not always the case. I learned what I truly miss most about life in the Army: its diversity. Being without diversity for almost two years has identified to me, that my life is incomplete without the input that people with differing cultures, ethnicities and religions have to