Well, my mom wanted to read these and I've had a few people ask why I wanted to join the Navy. So, I figured I'd post my Mission Statement. I have also posted my Letter of Reconsideration for those of you who may be interested. Just to let everyone know, I am really excited about this.
Mission Statement
I recently graduated from Georgia Tech, earning my Masters in International Affairs focusing in International Security. My graduate coursework prepared me to take on the responsibilities of work in the intelligence field by further developing my analytical and research skills. My academic work included the study of international relations; international security; intelligence; empirical research methods; modeling, forecasting, and decision making; and challenges to terrorism. Although my real world experiences in these areas are limited, my academic background has given me certain advantages that qualify me to begin work in the intelligence world. My research skills and methods of reasoning are highly developed. My analytical skills have been strengthened in key areas concerning foreign policy and domestic affairs. I am qualified to write accurate reports and deliver findings in oral/written presentations. Through my diversified background as a teacher, coach, missionary, Boy Scout and student, I have had opportunities to work in various situations and with a wide range of people. I have had success in each area. I am confident I will find success in the Navy. I have shown my ability to be a great leader as well as that of a team-player. I am honest, dedicated, and responsible—traits I developed as a young man in the Boy Scout program.
The element of duty and the opportunity to serve my country is the main aspect that draws me to a career with the Navy. I have a life-long love for my country. I have always respected our troops and desire to work with other patriots. This country has provided me freedom and given me numerous opportunities, thus providing me a sense of duty to give back. My service in the military would be a symbol of my gratitude.
The Navy provides me a chance to use my skills and follow my desires to serve my country working in the intelligence community. I want to be an Officer in the Navy for numerous reasons. Work to me has never been defined by money alone. Rather, meaningful and enjoyable work has been my aim. I thrive on excitement and adventure. I love to travel to new places and meet people of different backgrounds and cultures. I believe the Navy offers some of the challenges and opportunities for which I yearn. The Navy will provide opportunities for personal growth, experience in my academic focus (intelligence), skill development, and overall life satisfaction.
The element of duty and the opportunity to serve my country is the main aspect that draws me to a career with the Navy. I have a life-long love for my country. I have always respected our troops and desire to work with other patriots. This country has provided me freedom and given me numerous opportunities, thus providing me a sense of duty to give back. My service in the military would be a symbol of my gratitude.
The Navy provides me a chance to use my skills and follow my desires to serve my country working in the intelligence community. I want to be an Officer in the Navy for numerous reasons. Work to me has never been defined by money alone. Rather, meaningful and enjoyable work has been my aim. I thrive on excitement and adventure. I love to travel to new places and meet people of different backgrounds and cultures. I believe the Navy offers some of the challenges and opportunities for which I yearn. The Navy will provide opportunities for personal growth, experience in my academic focus (intelligence), skill development, and overall life satisfaction.
Letter for Reconsideration
This letter serves to express my desire to be reconsidered for the Naval Officer Program. I seek to become a Naval Officer because I am determined to serve my country in a meaningful capacity, and I possess the character, educational credentials and a breadth of personal experiences that will enable me to be successful. My aspiration to serve this country is pure and sincere; I love and respect the freedoms we, as Americans, were granted by our forefathers. I seek to give back to the country that has given me so much opportunity, and I am committed to building on the great legacy begun by our founders. I believe my acceptance into the OCS program will allow me to fulfill my ambition of contribution. Additionally, I believe that service to one’s country is a duty, and I would be proud and honored to perform this responsibility. My only regret is that I did not make my decision to serve earlier in life. I am grateful I still have the opportunity to become a Naval Officer, and I am more focused on the achievement of this goal than I have been on nearly anything else during the course of my life.
My resume and application illustrate my academic history and background in International Affairs, and will provide me with a strong foundation for the work I hope to do in the intelligence community of the U.S. Navy. My undergraduate work in French and global French cultures, combined with my Masters degree in International Affairs underscore my development of analytical skills, as well as my general and specific historical knowledge and understanding of complex social and political issues.
The Master’s degree I earned at Georgia Tech gave me experience in research, data analysis, and in the preparation of written and oral reports. Specific classes that developed my understanding of national security issues and the implementation of theoretical tools include: international security, intelligence, and international relations. While I acknowledge there is Navy-specific aptitude and processes to learn if accepted to a Naval Intelligence position, the skills and tools I have acquired through education are transferable to the intelligence deliverables I would be asked to execute in the U.S. Navy. Also, my educational background is proof of my ability to learn and apply complex information, a trait which will help elevate my service in the Navy.
Naval Officer qualifications repeatedly emphasize the “Whole Person” concept, an idea I strive to achieve every day, and have since I was young. Of paramount importance is that I was raised in a Christian home and taught values of honesty, loyalty, and sacrifice. My faith stresses that I should never drink alcohol, use tobacco products, or use any type of drug. I am proud that I have honored these teachings and never come close to any of these substances. My years as a Boy Scout, during which I earned the Eagle Scout Award, taught me many things, to include the value of preparation, planning, national history, maintenance of good personal finances, and tools for survival. As a teenager, I participated in athletics, where I continued to learn the value of hard work and discipline. I played four years of high school basketball, and, although I saw limited playing time throughout my career, my desire to play college ball drove me to practice and hone my skills. My years of hard work and dedication paid off when walked onto the Georgia College team.
When I became a full-time Latter-Day Saints (LDS) missionary for two years, I learned more valuable lessons in dedication, discipline, hard work, time management, communication skills, and service. As an LDS missionary, I made some sacrifices in living standards. In order to prove dedication to the missionary work, an LDS missionary does not date, watch TV or movies, listen to pop music, or even communicate with our family and friends (except by letter). In service to the community, my LDS group taught free English classes, helped youth in school, counseled recovering addicts, and cleaned public areas. LDS missionary work requires high discipline for study, service, and fellowship, things not all people can focus on for such an extended period of time.
After my mission work, I became a high school French teacher and head JV Basketball coach, which gave me the opportunity to be a stronger leader. I was solely responsible for the development of classroom curriculum, which allowed me the flexibility to adapt, as necessary, the speed of my instruction to the students’ ability to learn components of French language and culture. So as to maximize learning, it is especially noteworthy that I had great success in the control and discipline of my high school students. As with teaching, coaching also allowed me to plan a practice so as to address my team’s key issues. I developed a rapport with my players, and promoted teamwork and selflessness to otherwise self-occupied sophomores. The previous examples of experiences that have shaped my character and my ability to lead illustrate a fraction of the positive attributes I believe I would contribute to the U.S. Navy.
My resume and application illustrate my academic history and background in International Affairs, and will provide me with a strong foundation for the work I hope to do in the intelligence community of the U.S. Navy. My undergraduate work in French and global French cultures, combined with my Masters degree in International Affairs underscore my development of analytical skills, as well as my general and specific historical knowledge and understanding of complex social and political issues.
The Master’s degree I earned at Georgia Tech gave me experience in research, data analysis, and in the preparation of written and oral reports. Specific classes that developed my understanding of national security issues and the implementation of theoretical tools include: international security, intelligence, and international relations. While I acknowledge there is Navy-specific aptitude and processes to learn if accepted to a Naval Intelligence position, the skills and tools I have acquired through education are transferable to the intelligence deliverables I would be asked to execute in the U.S. Navy. Also, my educational background is proof of my ability to learn and apply complex information, a trait which will help elevate my service in the Navy.
Naval Officer qualifications repeatedly emphasize the “Whole Person” concept, an idea I strive to achieve every day, and have since I was young. Of paramount importance is that I was raised in a Christian home and taught values of honesty, loyalty, and sacrifice. My faith stresses that I should never drink alcohol, use tobacco products, or use any type of drug. I am proud that I have honored these teachings and never come close to any of these substances. My years as a Boy Scout, during which I earned the Eagle Scout Award, taught me many things, to include the value of preparation, planning, national history, maintenance of good personal finances, and tools for survival. As a teenager, I participated in athletics, where I continued to learn the value of hard work and discipline. I played four years of high school basketball, and, although I saw limited playing time throughout my career, my desire to play college ball drove me to practice and hone my skills. My years of hard work and dedication paid off when walked onto the Georgia College team.
When I became a full-time Latter-Day Saints (LDS) missionary for two years, I learned more valuable lessons in dedication, discipline, hard work, time management, communication skills, and service. As an LDS missionary, I made some sacrifices in living standards. In order to prove dedication to the missionary work, an LDS missionary does not date, watch TV or movies, listen to pop music, or even communicate with our family and friends (except by letter). In service to the community, my LDS group taught free English classes, helped youth in school, counseled recovering addicts, and cleaned public areas. LDS missionary work requires high discipline for study, service, and fellowship, things not all people can focus on for such an extended period of time.
After my mission work, I became a high school French teacher and head JV Basketball coach, which gave me the opportunity to be a stronger leader. I was solely responsible for the development of classroom curriculum, which allowed me the flexibility to adapt, as necessary, the speed of my instruction to the students’ ability to learn components of French language and culture. So as to maximize learning, it is especially noteworthy that I had great success in the control and discipline of my high school students. As with teaching, coaching also allowed me to plan a practice so as to address my team’s key issues. I developed a rapport with my players, and promoted teamwork and selflessness to otherwise self-occupied sophomores. The previous examples of experiences that have shaped my character and my ability to lead illustrate a fraction of the positive attributes I believe I would contribute to the U.S. Navy.
It is my sincerest ambition and desire to prove myself worthy in the U.S. Navy. I am a dedicated and responsible individual, ready to perform all necessary duties to further the mission of the U.S. Navy and to protect this country’s citizens and resources. I come willing to sacrifice my life, my time, and my energy to fulfill any and all obligations and challenges with which I would be presented. I have demonstrated that I am self-motivated, able to adapt and learn quickly, and that I have the character and qualifications which elevate my candidacy for the U.S. Naval Intelligence community. If accepted to the U.S. Navy, I hope to continue to grow academically, athletically, professionally, and personally. I intend to succeed at OCS and to have a fulfilling U.S. Navy career.
1 comment:
I like it. Except for the fact that you seem too perfect. No wonder you are mom's favorite. :)
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