Amy M. Schaefer
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery

From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
Button Text

Our Baby Zipperhead

9/24/2015

2 Comments

 
Picture
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.

2 Comments
Tracie Smith
9/26/2015 12:51:15 am

Sarah will be a fine officer and as a member of a naval family (Tad's father retired after 21 years of service, serving two tours in Vietnam) we are proud to have a member of our tribe join the fray.
On a more personal note... You have been a wonderful role model, showing your support for Brad (even during the tough times while he was deployed) and teaching your daughters independence.
On a more personal note... Bleu, you have taught your daughters independence, strength through adversity and love. You've inspired them both with your own sense of pride and fortitude. You are a wonderful inspiration as a mother and woman.
I love you sister <3

Reply
Amy Marie Schaefer
9/27/2015 07:55:30 am

You make me cry happy tears...when it comes to my children, the one thing I knew from the moment I found out they were on the way was that failing them was NOT an option. Being their mother feels like the greatest, most difficult gift anyone, anything could ever trust me with and I tried very hard to be the mama they needed. Now that my role is changing, as they're all grown up, we're working on how to define what our relationship should look like. It's quite a transition, but I am SO over the moon proud of the ladies they've become. I can't wait to see what they'll do next!

I love you too, sister.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

    Archives

    August 2021
    March 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories
    A View From the Hill: Short Stories by Mattie Hill Shields

    All

    Button Text

    RSS Feed

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery