I was going through some of my documents on my computer and I stumbled upon this after several months have gone since I submitted it; I personally thought it was pretty good but whatever... anyhow I will share it with the world. This is my essay that I wrote for USC, trying to get into their business program. There was three essay topics to write about and I chose to "reflect on a challenge that I overcame through persistence". I tried to write about something else other than the military but the military was and is an experience that I know well. I kept it in its original format that I submitted and I did notice some errors. To answer the question whether I got accepted or not. I did not get accepted, oh well their loss. Enjoy!
I stood at attention in formation at Ranger Memorial in Fort Benning, Georgia, with a newly shaped tan beret upon my bald head and Ranger scroll pinned on my left shoulder. That day was a new beginning for me and another challenge overcome. You see seven months ago on September 25, 2003 I entered the United States Army with the intention of standing at Ranger Memorial with a tan beret and Ranger scroll. I started out just like many young aspiring hopefuls trying to earn a spot among the nations elite fighting force of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
I grew up in a great home, an only child with two loving parents. I set out on a new adventure far from the comforts of home and family. This was my first big decision as an adult that has affected my life. I had a strong desire to serve my country and a will to serve at the tip of the spear. I pushed myself physically and mentally everyday to attain my goal. Everyday brought forth new challenges. From conforming to the military lifestyle at One Unit Station Training (Infantry Basic) to having the intestinal fortitude to hurl myself out of a perfectly good airplane at Basic Airborne Training. I found myself at the gates of my next formidable challenge. Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) which was a 4 week process of physical and mental evaluations delivered at a grandeur scale than what I had previously faced at Basic and Airborne School.
There where many days and nights at RIP that I found myself in miserable conditions of being cold, wet, tired, and hungry. No matter how bad situations got I could not find it in myself to quit. All you can really do is laugh and think to oneself, “Wow! I could have been sleeping in a warm comfortable bed with a full belly, but yet here I am”. At any time I could have uttered the tragic words “I quit” and be done with it or tried to save face and purposely fail a graded event. I could not find it in me to do such a thing nor could I have been able to face myself if I allowed myself too. I even went as far as writing in big and bold letters in the inside of my locker “Quitting is NOT an Option”. Everyday when I opened that locker those words screamed out at me.
It is really hard to describe in context in the challenges I faced during RIP. One event that has stood out to me was a non-standard 8 mile road march that turned into all out sprint. After just getting 30 minutes of sleep there I was running down a lone two lane road with a “rubber duck” (fake M16) in hand and a 40 pound rucksack on my back. I was tired and physically beat but I continued on, pushing myself to finish. All I remember doing is keeping my head down and focused on the asphalt laid before me, encouraging myself to keep a good steady pace. My body was telling me to stop and rest, my mind toyed with the idea of slowing down and catching my breath but somewhere inside me I would not allow myself.
Persistence and sheer tenacity to reach my end goal allowed me to stand in that graduation formation. I will admit there was fear in me, fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, and fear of not just letting myself down but those that believed in me. I learned a lot about myself and my abilities; gained new confidence and an understanding of the rewards for hard work and determination. It is always easy to take the road less traveled but I find satisfaction in rising to new challenges and bettering myself; Quitting is NOT an option.
I stood at attention in formation at Ranger Memorial in Fort Benning, Georgia, with a newly shaped tan beret upon my bald head and Ranger scroll pinned on my left shoulder. That day was a new beginning for me and another challenge overcome. You see seven months ago on September 25, 2003 I entered the United States Army with the intention of standing at Ranger Memorial with a tan beret and Ranger scroll. I started out just like many young aspiring hopefuls trying to earn a spot among the nations elite fighting force of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
I grew up in a great home, an only child with two loving parents. I set out on a new adventure far from the comforts of home and family. This was my first big decision as an adult that has affected my life. I had a strong desire to serve my country and a will to serve at the tip of the spear. I pushed myself physically and mentally everyday to attain my goal. Everyday brought forth new challenges. From conforming to the military lifestyle at One Unit Station Training (Infantry Basic) to having the intestinal fortitude to hurl myself out of a perfectly good airplane at Basic Airborne Training. I found myself at the gates of my next formidable challenge. Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) which was a 4 week process of physical and mental evaluations delivered at a grandeur scale than what I had previously faced at Basic and Airborne School.
There where many days and nights at RIP that I found myself in miserable conditions of being cold, wet, tired, and hungry. No matter how bad situations got I could not find it in myself to quit. All you can really do is laugh and think to oneself, “Wow! I could have been sleeping in a warm comfortable bed with a full belly, but yet here I am”. At any time I could have uttered the tragic words “I quit” and be done with it or tried to save face and purposely fail a graded event. I could not find it in me to do such a thing nor could I have been able to face myself if I allowed myself too. I even went as far as writing in big and bold letters in the inside of my locker “Quitting is NOT an Option”. Everyday when I opened that locker those words screamed out at me.
It is really hard to describe in context in the challenges I faced during RIP. One event that has stood out to me was a non-standard 8 mile road march that turned into all out sprint. After just getting 30 minutes of sleep there I was running down a lone two lane road with a “rubber duck” (fake M16) in hand and a 40 pound rucksack on my back. I was tired and physically beat but I continued on, pushing myself to finish. All I remember doing is keeping my head down and focused on the asphalt laid before me, encouraging myself to keep a good steady pace. My body was telling me to stop and rest, my mind toyed with the idea of slowing down and catching my breath but somewhere inside me I would not allow myself.
Persistence and sheer tenacity to reach my end goal allowed me to stand in that graduation formation. I will admit there was fear in me, fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, and fear of not just letting myself down but those that believed in me. I learned a lot about myself and my abilities; gained new confidence and an understanding of the rewards for hard work and determination. It is always easy to take the road less traveled but I find satisfaction in rising to new challenges and bettering myself; Quitting is NOT an option.
