Plans, Opportunities, and Aspirations: A Glimpse at a Future Civil Affairs Career “Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life to carry out a concrete assignment which demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone’s task is unique as is his specific opportunity.” These words of Viktor Frankl in his book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” parallel my thoughts on professional fulfillment, my personal search for meaning, and my desire to become a Civil Affairs (CA) Officer. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the person that recommended the aforementioned book also introduced me to the Civil Affairs branch. The day after I learned about the mission of Special Operations Forces Civil …show more content…
Though I am aware that I could end up working in any area of the world, I see myself working in SOUTHCOM due to my skills and background. Regardless of Combat Command (COCOM), I look forward to serving as a Team Leader (TL), which many say is the most rewarding position in the force. After my Key Development (KD) time, I will pursue my Master’s Degree. The Olmsted Scholarship is one of my possible paths to achieving that goal. Earning an Olmsted scholarship would help me advance both my professional and personal education goals by studying in a foreign country’s graduate program. I also have interest in becoming a Portuguese instructor in West Point’s Department of Foreign Languages. This option also presents me with the ability of earning a Master’s Degree, while furthering my aspirations of ascension in the CA ranks or a possible transition into a Foreign Areas Officer (FAO). What my future looks like ten to fifteen years down the road is naturally less clear. I do not know if I will continue as a CA officer or not. This decision is not solely mine, as competition in CA is high and there are fewer openings in contrast to larger branches like Armor. Whether in CA, another branch of the Army, or in the civilian realm I plan to continue to serve the United States in support of our national security. My decision to stay in CA long term also depends on how well I fit into the team based on what I bring to the