Positive Motivation

Prior to September 11, 2001, I had no idea about what I wanted to do with my life. After the tragic events of September 11 and talking with several people at each branch's recruiters' stations- I decided that I would join the United States Navy. On November 14, upon arriving at Naval Station Great Lakes, I did not know what to expect. Over the next 8 weeks I was taught not only things to help me survive the Navy but life lessons to help me get through life in general. When I arrived at boot camp, I was given a complete health and dental physicals to ensure I was healthy enough to endure the stringent activities that I was going to go through. Along with my physicals, I was given shots to ensure that I would stay healthy. After shots, I was given

One of the most important things I would need to do in order to be apart of the military in general would be to take the ASVAB. The ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a test that each person within the armed forces is required to take, which measures one’s developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. Each position within the military requires a minimum score on the ASVAB and in order to become a field nurse, I would need to research the requirement for that specific position. The classes I take during my undergraduate years will determine whether I can be accepted into graduate school for nursing so I would have to take a variety of classes and pass with the minimum grades for the select classes and have the minimum grade point average requirements. The decisions I make could possibly diminish my chances of getting into the nursing school and maybe even affect my chances of being accepted as a field nurse. For example, getting into trouble with the law could damage my reputation and I may not be seen as responsible compared to if I had a clean

My goal in attending a United States Service Academy and becoming an officer in the military is to provide myself ample opportunities to reach my established life goals. I plan to pursue a career in aerospace engineering, and developing that career through one of the academies will help me to achieve the dreams I had as a child. I have many strengths that will help me stand out in the application process, but at the same time, I have challenges to overcome. However, these obstacles will not hinder me from from pursuing my passion.

Upon completion of the my bachelor’s degree, acceptance through the ECP, Officer Candidate School, The Basic School, Initial Intelligence Training, and Military Occupational Specialty Intelligence Training, I will receive orders back to the Fleet Marine Forces. The move from the enlisted ranks to the officer ranks may be very confusing, but this goal can be accomplished as long as I stay focused and move one step at a time.

If I have to be honest, JROTC was one of the highlights of my high school experience. It gave me a purpose and led me to be who I am today. A couple of years ago I wouldn’t believe anyone if they were to tell me I would become G3 my junior year and Charlie’s Company Commander my senior year. I have grown to love this program and the people involved. SGM Cooper has become one of my mentors. If I am ever in need, I know I can always count of him. There hasn’t been a time where I’ve needed him and he hasn’t been there. I am very fortunate to have met someone like him. He has been someone that I hope remains in my life years from now. SGM if you are reading this, I would like to take a moment to thank you for all the career advice and life advice. Air Force 1 will always keep you in her prayers. My overall experience in JROTC has been full of laughter, fun, sweat, memorable and life lasting. Just like I have enjoyed my time in this program, I hope and know that many others will as well. For the upcoming freshman, I will gladly recommend this course. The fact that JROCT isn’t academically hard makes it better. It doesn’t focus on the basics but rather on life skills that one can always use. I believe that

sergeants and Recruiters will be right along the way helping you and correcting your mistakes

I truly believe the Navy's most valuable assets are its people, requiring quality training, positive role models, and strong leadership. As a commissioned officer, I will combine my knowledge from the enlisted and officer communities to help shape and develop Sailors and Marines requisite to executing our mission requirements. This opportunity will allow me to become a more tactically-minded war fighter and the authority to make key decisions at precise times. More importantly, I will help sustain the Navy's leadership requirements and uphold the superb reputation of our elite Mustang community.

I had the confidence to go the college but was not sure about my career goals. It was a tough choice because my parents had advanced degrees and expected me to pursue the same path. I promised them I would get a college degree and start taking classes once I completed my AIT. I left for Basic Combat Training at Ft. Leonardwood on November 12, 2012. During my time there, I was inspired to become a commissioned officer. Our Company XO, 1 Lt. Donaldson, told us an inspiring story about his experiences in the Army. He had defined himself as a “go getter”, taking advantage of the resources the Army had provided him. During his time as an enlisted soldier he had obtained two college degrees. He constantly strove to improve himself to be able to take on any task that he was confronted with. Through his story, I realized that education was not only the key to being successful as a civilian, but also as a soldier. I had graduated from basic training on February 7, 2013 and would soon set out for San Angelo, Texas to attend the 35 November course at Good Fellow

An overview of the Army’s commissioning sources aids in understanding the structure of the officer development program. The Army’s commissioning sources include the Reserve Officer Training Corps, United States Military Academy, Officer Candidate School, and Direct Commissioning. Due to the variety of commissioning sources, the new officers vary greatly in terms of experience. Major Adam Wojack explains, “each commissioning source maintains its own regulatory guideline which governs admissions, training, and other administrative matters.”3 However, with all commissioned officers coming from varying programs, the commissioning end-product of all programs must meet a common goal. That goal is “. . . each graduate possess the character, leadership, integrity, and other attributes essential to a career of exemplary service to the nation.”4

I spent hours looking at all of the service academies, researching and discovering what a life after the service academy would be like. I looked at what being an officer meant, the responsibilities that i would have, the men that i would lead, and the men that i would follow. I read about career oppurtunities and the strengths of the academic programs that would me to be successful both during and after a military career. I discovered that my high aspirations for being an officer in the miitary were more reachable than i thought, but it would take a lt of hard work. I presented the school to my parents, neither of them military, but both having fathers in the military, and they were instantly very supportive of me. The summer following my sophomore year my family and i took a trip up to Annapolis to take a tour of the campus to see if it is where i actually wanted to go. While touring i felt like it was were i belonged and I almost refused to leave, but i knew that i had to go home and do my best in everything i did. While on the campus for a week long Navy track and field camp, i noticed that there was a sense of a bond very similar to that of a

As confident as ever, I showed up at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) last July with the mindset that I knew everything about myself. I thought I had already pushed myself to become the best I could, but needless to say, I had no idea what challenges USNA would bring in the next year. Aristotle once said, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” I thought I knew everything myself, but after being at the academy and taking Leadership, I have come to realize learning and growing are cycles that are never ending. The past year at USNA has taught me that I am at the right place because I have come to understand it is my duty to help make the world a better place, and I am in an environment in which I can grow and become a great naval officer.

I want this unit to be remembered by you that it was the unit that gave you opportunity to grow and develop professional. If you feel that your talents aren’t being taking advantage off, talk with your supervisor to discuss other opportunities. You want the opportunity to learn something new, talk with your supervisor. I have challenged my Staff and first-line supervisors to ensure that you are being pushed in your professional development. I want my enlisted folks to take advantage of TA, and take colleges classes and work on their associate’s and bachelor’s degrees after they complete IJT and proven themselves able to maintain their proficiency. I want to ensure that all of you receive the opportunity to accomplish your PME’s that you have earned, and into additional advance training opportunities. I encourage my enlisted folks to study hard for rank. I want to promote all of

Motivation is the number one driving force behind anything and everything an individual does each day. “Motivation is the desire to do the best possible job or to exert the maximum effort to perform an assigned task. Motivation energizes, directs, and sustains human behavior directed towards a goal.” (Honor, 2009). Motivation can determine the outcome of projects, goals, and can set limits on what an individual can obtain or what they believe they can obtain. Motivation often is the deciding factor on how successful a project in an organization is, and an individual’s needs and desires can both influence a person’s motivation greatly. Motivation can also determine how well an individual does in school, college, or university.

2. I think it is only fair to you as an NCO that I as your Platoon Sergeant, state the standards the Platoon Leader and I expect of you. Before I state these standards, I want you to fully understand how I see MOS and length of service. I do not expect a junior NCO to be as proficient as one with years of duty. I will not tolerate the opposite. All NCOs must be prepared to step up at any time; this is the responsibility of the senior and subordinate. Read the Creed of the Non Commissioned Officer and Ranger Creed, they are very similar. I do expect you to live it. The level of authority and responsibility that our leaders give us will be based on our demonstrated competence and performance.

You are following in the footsteps of those great NCOs who prepared the way for you. You can honor them by getting to know their history.