Our Baby Zipperhead

Freckles and I sat at the kitchen counter having a mother-daughter heart to heart when her phone rang. "I should probably take this," she said and I nodded. "Of course," I told her then stepped outside. She came out of the door a few minutes later. "Well, Mom, guess what?" "Tell me," I prompted. "The Navy just offered me a pilot's slot," she screamed. I swear, hours later and my heart is still racing! When she told me she was considering joining the Navy, it was so far away I didn't think much about it except to be excited for her making grown-up plans. Now those "plans" are here and OHHH my goodness.....!!!! She had to submit an essay when she was filling out all of her paperwork, and it was so wonderful, I cry each time I read it. Tonight I'm sharing it below. My little baby zipperhead....all I can say is FLY beautiful girl!

United State Navy

APSR – Application Essay

 

Today, I am less than 100 days away from graduating college.  I have spent the last four years preparing for this moment by getting involved in everything I could get my hands on and investigating every possible career.  I have changed my plans about a dozen times, not from indecisiveness, but from adaptability.  My father is a retired Master Sergeant of the United States Air Force and my whole life has been spent developing the ability to handle anything that comes my way.  I have faced many opportunities as well as obstacles, and combated them all with the steadfast readiness I was taught from being a military dependent.  This lifestyle is my past and present, and I cannot imagine a future without it. 

The military has always been a crucial staple in my life, but it was not until recently that I realized how suited I was to be an officer.  As anyone would be able to tell from my impressive OAR scores, my consistent GPA and Marshal status at the University, I am a strong candidate academically.  However, often times those with educational success have a lack of appreciation for leadership, initiative and independence.  For me, this is the farthest from true.  My work ethic and job integrity rival even my greatest academic achievements.  At Lawndale Veterinary Hospital I am one of the most seasoned and reliable staff members in my department.  I am constantly going above and beyond what is necessarily asked of me to ensure that every task is handled properly and efficiently and to maintain the best quality of service.  This is the attitude I always bring to work because excellence is my expectation. 

There is no doubt that I inherited this ideology from my military childhood.  My earliest role models were my mother, who had a strong, passionate voice as she advocated for our troops, and my father, who never grew weary of hard work and service.  Together, they could not help but to raise me on the core values that shape the Armed Forces.  They taught me to be honorable: to act with honest intentions, strive for success and accept accountability for any consequence I earned.  They gave me the strength to take courage in the face of adversity, knowing that there is much in life worth daring.  They trained me to invest in my commitments, and prove that I could handle responsibility and deserved the freedom that corresponded.  Honesty, courage, and commitment have become deeply entrenched in my character so naturally I would pursue a career that promotes the same values.  No job would be more suitable than an officer in the United States Navy.  My dad's advice to newly commissioned, young officers was to be receptive to the mentorship of their senior NCO's.  He has given me the same guidance throughout my life and it has molded me into an exceptional up-and-coming officer.

Life is a journey, not a target.  I could be satiated by everything I have accomplished, but rather I find myself excited by the constant potential for improvement.  I am ready to dive into a new challenge; one that provides an environment for personal growth, allows me to put my aptitude for leadership into action, and become a more engaged citizen of the world.  One of the lieutenants in the recruiting office cautioned me not to get my hopes up for the "glamour pitch": the benefits, the travel, and the prestige, but these are all false goods.  Nothing is more compelling than the unrivaled opportunities to provide humanitarian relief and the ability uphold the highest standard of excellence that our country has to offer.  If I am not busy, I am restless.  If I am not serving, I am unfulfilled.  Finally, if I had to choose a career other than United States Navy, then I would be settling for anything less than the best.