Cadet Life

Description of the video:

you do anything is
how you do everything. A typical morning in
ROTC looks like a 5 a .m. wake-up conducting
PT. So you'll be doing a lot of push-ups,
a lot of sit-ups, a lot of running, calisthenic
-based exercises. It's orderly,
structured workouts, but you're doing
it as a team. You're doing it
as an entire wing, so everybody's
doing them together. To the US was quite
a challenge. However, there were many
opportunities that we had here that we didn't
have back at home. I originally thought I
would study biology. ROTC first came into
the picture when my aunt suggested it to
me, and I joined the program thinking that
it was just going to be a one-semester thing,
but quickly it turned around being something
that I was good at, and I found a lot
of opportunities in. I was in a group of
like-minded people that show for
excellence and similar core values.
Integrity first, service before self,
and excellence in all we do. And that's
all I am about. You usually find them
around here. When I first applied for the
Cox Scholarship and I didn't get it, it was
a crushing experience. Essentially what I
told my dad was, if you cover this first
year of school, I will figure out a
way so that we do not have to pay for the
rest of college. Everything in ROTC
became top priority. My efforts, all the
dedication I put towards the program just got
multiplied by 10. I received the ROTC
scholarship, and the RA position may
cover the room and board, but the
opportunities outside of that, such as
potential opportunities to study abroad
or have summer programs, those are
not covered by either. Anything that is not
covered, Cox is able to cover, so they
really are that last net that is able to
cover anything I need to pursue my education
and my dreams. The first time I flew a plane, it was
exhilarating. It was a feeling where I felt the most free. When I took the
controls and lifted off, it was a feeling
that was surreal. Seeing the sky, the
clouds right below you, wow, the world is
really all around me. I have the opportunity
through it to serve my country that has
given so much to me and my family and
pursue my dreams all at once. Being in the
Air Force allows me to fly some of the
nation's greatest assets all around the
world in our country. When I think about
starting pilot training next summer, the
words that come to mind are excited,
committed, and prepared. My journey has
been defined by opportunity, a
commitment to excellence, and
perseverance. I'd hope for people
to remember me as not only a leader or a
follower, but a servant who cares for the
people around him.

ROTC teaches me vital leadership and interpersonal skills that translate to so many other aspects of life. These are skills that I have learned early in my college career, allowing me to be leaps and bounds ahead of my non-ROTC peers.