us navy essay

NAVAL HORIZONS

Where students design the navy and marine corps of the future.

Essay contest opens at noon, 12:00 p.m. ET.

Deadline Extended!

Essay contest submission form closes at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Naval Horizons Highest Honors winners announced at 11:59 p.m. ET.

ESSAY CONTEST

Naval Horizons introduces students to cutting-edge Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) topics that impact the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps – to include autonomy, oceanography, cybersecurity, undersea medicine, and more. We invite students to learn about Naval STEM challenges and our scientists and engineers through this video series. Then, we encourage students to write an essay explaining how our research and our people inspire them. This contest challenges students to picture themselves in a STEM career by designing the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps of the future.

How to Participate

This video series is designed to introduce STEM college students to cutting-edge science and technology topics that impact the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps—to include autonomy, cybersecurity, undersea medicine and more. These videos will shine a spotlight on Department of Navy scientists and engineers working on unique naval challenges. We hope that their stories inspire you to picture yourselves in a STEM career.

READ THE RULES & INFO

WATCH THE VIDEOS

WRITE YOUR ESSAY

SUBMIT YOUR ESSAY*

*If you are under 18 years old, your parent or adult caregiver must complete and submit your essay to Naval STEM. Students who are 18 years old or older may submit their essay. Please see the RULES & INFO for eligibility restrictions.

500 - 1,500 Words Total

Watch the videos to learn about U.S. Navy and Marine Corps STEM research areas and our people. Choose one of the STEM topics highlighted in the videos, conduct additional research on the subject, and compose your essay. Your essay needs to include 1) STEM Research Area, 2) Our People, and 3) The Future. The essays must be between 500-1,500 words total.

STEM Research Area

Select one topic based on the videos that interests you. Conduct additional research of the subject. Describe why this topic inspires you, and explain how this subject is important to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps of today.

Next, select a scientist or engineer from one of the videos who inspires you – this could be the same video you selected for STEM Research Area or a different video. Describe how their career and their work inspires you, including your career goals.

Last, imagine how science and technology from one of the videos will advance over the next 15 to 20 years– this could be the same video you selected for STEM Research Area or a different video. Describe how new technologies will change our daily lives in the next 15 to 20 years, including how these new advances might impact the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps of the future.

Judges will select up to 5,000 winners. Please see RULES & INFO for essay judging criteria.

Contest Prize

All winners are eligible to receive a $200 cash prize. Exceptional essays may be highlighted on a Naval STEM web page and will be designated Naval Horizons Highest Honors.

United States Naval Academy | Navy

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United States Naval Academy | Navy’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

United States Naval Academy (USNA) Essay Prompts and Tips    

September 27, 2023

With an acceptance rate of just 10%, getting into the United States Naval Academy and officially becoming a midshipman in Annapolis is no easy task. After all, how many colleges require a nomination from a member of Congress? Those brave young men and women who choose to navigate a supremely challenging admissions process do so in order to later dedicate a portion of their adult lives to serving their country. This blog will offer admissions-related advice on how to approach the lone, two-part USNA essay.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into the United States Naval Academy? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the US Naval Academy: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When applying to an institution like the Naval Academy that rejects more than 9 of every 10 applicants, you need to put maximum effort into every area of the application, including the supplemental essays. Below are the USNA’s required supplemental prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle along with our advice for composing a winning essay.

US Naval Academy Essay Prompt – Part 1

The USNA only requires one essay, but you need to cover two very distinct topics in one place. We will explore these two distinct questions in two separate sections of this blog. However, we want to stress that both need to be covered in the same limited number of words, as the official directions indicate:

In a well-organized essay, please discuss both of the following:

(1) Describe what led to your initial interest in the naval service and how the Naval Academy will help you achieve your long-range goals, and (CONTINUED LATER IN THE BLOG)… …

It may be helpful to view this portion of the prompt as a higher-stakes version of the typical “Why Us?” college essay. In that category of essay, an applicant is tasked with telling their story of how they decided that ______ University was the perfect school for them. They may write about particular academic programs, courses, professors, research opportunities, internships/co-ops, study abroad programs, and student-run organizations that they will take advantage of once on campus.

Similarly, the USNA wants to see that you have done your homework and are 100% committed to life as a Naval officer. This should be a highly-personal story that demonstrates your maturity, commitment, and readiness to commit to a life in the Navy. Ultimately, joining the Navy is not a decision that anyone should make lightly and the folks in Annapolis will want to see evidence of specific experiences that led you to this conclusion.

For example, perhaps you have:

• Had multiple conversations with a recruiting officer. Share what you learned.
• Participated in NJROTC as an adolescent/young adult.
• Had in-depth discussions with family members or non-family family members who served in the Navy or Armed Forces.

Items you could share related to the long-term goals can include:

• Talk about your intended major at the USNA. Whether you are interested in political science, aerospace engineering, chemistry, or cyber/electronic operations and warfare, explain how your area of study fits into your long-range goals.
• Discuss where you see your career in the Navy taking you. You may also want to touch upon post-Navy aims.

US Naval Academy Essay Prompt – Part 2

(2) Describe a personal experience you have had which you feel has contributed to your own character development and integrity.

To begin, it’s important to think about what type of specific words we can use to identify your particular character development. The following list may help your brainstorming efforts:

• Perspective
• Open-mindedness
• Self-regulation
• Emotional/social intelligence
• Persistence
• Enthusiasm and vigor
• Adaptability

Next, you want to chronicle a singular personal experience that led you to grow in one or more of these character-related areas. Use your life experience to show rather than tell the Naval Academy how you have grown into a person of high integrity. Examples can come from a job, school projects, athletics, NJROTC, or a family experience. In short, the thing to keep in mind here is the Latin quote “Facta, non verba” which translates to “Deeds, not words.”

How important are the essays at the United States Naval Academy?

Overall, the USNA lists nine factors as being “very important” to the admissions committee: GPA, class rank, the interview, extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, the rigor of your secondary school record, the level of demonstrated interest, recommendations, and—most relevant to this blog—the application essays.

Want personalized assistance?

Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Naval Academy essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

• College Essay

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Navy Officer Candidate: Motivational Statement Examples

Last Updated on August 30, 2023

Becoming a Navy Officer Candidate is a highly competitive and prestigious goal. It requires not only physical fitness and academic excellence but also a strong motivation and dedication to serve your country.

Writing a motivational statement is an essential step in the Navy Officer application process, as it allows you to showcase your passion and commitment.

If you are seeking inspiration or guidance to craft your own motivational statement, look no further.

In this article, we will provide you with some examples of motivational statements from successful Navy Officer Candidates. These candidates have been selected for the officer designator of their choice.

Some information below has been redacted for privacy. But otherwise, these motivational statements are unedited.

Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) #1

I’m interested in becoming a Naval Officer because of the top-notch training and opportunities that the Navy provides. As an officer I know that I will receive the training and guidance needed to achieve a successful career in the military as well as opportunities for a prosperous career in the civilian world after I have completed my service. I am always looking for a challenge. Whether it be physical or mental, the Navy is the best opportunity to prove to myself and others that I can do whatever I set my mind to. Also, as an officer I can put to good use the values and skills that have been taught to me since a young age. There is a strong tradition of military service in my family, and several members have been in the Navy, including my brother who is currently serving. I have always considered myself a leader and use the values my family has instilled in me to help myself as well as others to reach their goals. As a Navy officer. I know I can utilize these leadership values in addition to the training I will receive to achieve my highest aspirations and help those I am leading to do the same. I would also consider myself a hard worker and someone who knows the value of a good work ethic and time management. Since an early age I have done odd jobs for neighbors and friends such as babysitting, house sitting, and grooming horses. Since I was sixteen, have consistently had a job and on several occasions have had more than one at a time. In high school I was able to work 10-20 hours a week and show horses as well as actively participate in FA and maintain good grades, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Training and competing my horses, which I have been doing for ten years, has required a minimum of 15 hours a week. This included training with my instructor and practicing on my own, caring for the horses both before and after each lesson, and traveling to local horse shows at least one weekend every month. While attending college, I was able to continue riding and competing with my horses while taking 15-20 class hours a semester and working 10-20 hours a week, and I made the Dean’s List of Academic Achievement on three separate occasions. I was also able to participate in several on-campus organizations such as the Walter P. Webb Historical Society, Hall Council, and the Kat Krazies (a student spirit organization). In addition, I was able to effectively manage my class schedule to complete my degree in three and a half years. Graduating early was important to me so that my parents would not be spending too much money on my education and I would not have as many loans to pay back after graduation. Since graduating college, I have been working full time as a Recreation Supervisor at a resort while continuing to ride and train horses and participating in the Citizens’ Police Academy, which is a twelve-week course that gives ordinary citizens an insight into the inner workings of the local police department. Overall, I have always managed my time and put forth all of my effort to ensure that I was making the most out of every hour of every day. I wish to continue this tradition of hard work and time management in a career with the Navy. Being a positive role model is also extremely important to me. Through horseback riding I am around many younger girls of all ages. My mother has taught lessons for several years and I often help her students get ready and teach them how to care for the horses. I feel it is very important to be a positive role model for these girls and I try to always set a good example for them. Also, as a Bearkat Camp counselor (Freshmen Traditions Camp) and New Student Orientation Leader at Sam Houston State University as well as a supervisor at my past two jobs, I often work with individuals who are either younger than myself or are simply looking to me for advice and counsel. Because of this, I always try to set a good example and point them in the right direction. It is also my firm opinion that one should never expect anyone to do something for them unless they are willing to do it themselves, and I often implement this philosophy at my work. I plan to utilize the skills I use both at work and with those younger than myself to be an effective officer. Overall, I would consider myself an excellent officer candidate and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to prove my abilities. I know that with the skills I already possess coupled with the training and opportunities that the Navy will provide, I can become an extremely effective and competent Naval Officer.

Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) #2

I was not born with the innate conviction to be an officer in the United States Navy or any other career path. But my experiences growing up ideally prepared me for a future as a Naval Officer. Beginning in junior high, I came to realize that my classmates would do as I did, and would listen when I spoke. While in Mexico on a mission trip in 2005, I embraced this new-found attribute and led my friends in word and example as we built a house for an impoverished family in just one week. The same leadership attitude would exude each summer that followed, only in a different geographic location. I finally discovered a potential career path in the summer of 2008 at Texas Boys State. Following a riveting speech from retired CIA agent Jim Olson, wherein he highlighted his challenging career in intelligence and his beginnings as a Surface Warfare Officer , I knew my leadership skills had a future. Now graduating from college, my desire to lead others defending the United States combined with experiences in my past has brought me to pursue a fulfilling career as a Naval Officer. I began my studies as a freshman Business major at Texas A&M University with the thought process that such a degree would help me land a profitable job upon graduation. But after just a few months, I found what I was learning and working towards to be so unfulfilling that I changed my major. Once I switched to International Studies, and refocused my attention to the world instead of on myself, everything seemed to make sense. My GPA skyrocketed to a 3.71 and I have since made the Dean’s List. In addition to my studies I have kept busy working in the community for profit and not for profit. During my junior and senior years I have worked at a textbook store, volunteered as a tutor for struggling third grade students at a local elementary school and led a team of workers at the largest student-run service project in the nation, The Big Event. For recreation and exercise at school, I am a member of the Texas A&M Men’s Ultimate Frisbee club team. I was one of two freshmen to make the team, and by the end of the year, in a physically demanding sport where fitness is the foundation of success, I was an example of what can result from work and dedication I broke through to the regular playing rotation. In addition to playing on the traveling club team at school, I also began playing for a traveling club team based out of Houston, which I still play for. In my second year on the team at Texas A&M I took on the leadership position of Safety Officer. In this role I served as an intermediate between the team and Texas A&M Recreation Sports. In this role I prepared travel itineraries prior to tournaments and was responsible for the team’s compliance with the Recreation Sports Office. During my time as Safety Officer, the team was never sanctioned or suspended as had occurred in previous years. Balancing training, practice, and travel to tournaments as far away as Georgia, while maintaining my GPA, has taught me the importance of self-discipline and time management. These acquired and polished skills were especially beneficial this past semester as I embarked on the experience of my life. In January 2012 I departed Texas for an academic semester abroad in Granada, Spain that lasted until May. I chose Granada because, as a smaller Spanish city, there are very few English speakers that I could talk to, thus forcing me to develop my Spanish. This was undoubtedly the hardest academic semester of my life as four of my classes were Spanish speaking and writing only. In addition to the language barrier, I went to Granada with a group of strangers, requiring me to go out and socialize in Spanish. In an unexpected pairing, I got that opportunity when I joined a local Ultimate Frisbee team in Granada. Speaking Spanish in a fast paced, athletic setting was very important to the growth of my language ability and I made many new friends and traveled across the country playing in tournaments. As the most dynamic athlete on the team, I became an unofficial team captain and led the team to its best-ever finish at the tournament in Madrid. While in Spain I also took advantage of travel opportunities and planned international trips to Italy, France, and Morocco. In between trips I volunteered with the reforestation of the “Generalife” Meadow in Granada to plant new trees after a destructive wildfire. My semester abroad took me farther out of my comfort zone than I had ever been, but I returned from it with a new understanding of myself and the knowledge that I could survive, and even flourish, while taking twelve credit hours in a foreign language, thousands of miles from home, while knowing no one. One of the most unexpectedly formative experiences of my life was working as a counselor at Camp Ozark for two consecutive summers. As a Christian sports camp for kids ages 7-17, this was one of the fastest paced job environments imaginable. Camp Ozark is one of the largest summer camps in the nation, and to run effectively it needs a clearly defined and obeyed chain of command. This is especially important because with high powered boats, shooting ranges, and high wire ropes courses where I worked, failure to follow orders can result in the death of a child. In my first summer I was recognized as the SWAT Team member of the first session of camp as the outstanding service member of the session. During my second summer I was recognized as the first male Order of the Arrow winner of the summer as the counselor who best displayed maximum effort, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship. Both of these were important leadership roles, but both were ultimately less important than the hardest task at camp: serving as a full-time role model to young boys and teenagers in a high stress environment. Working as a cabin counselor for twelve year old boys at Camp Ozark showed me the true meaning of having full responsibility for something that is truly valuable and how to excel working in a twenty-four hour, seven days a week job atmosphere. Despite not being born into a military family, through my life experiences I have come to the conclusion that a military career as a Naval Officer is the best way to use my acquired knowledge and talents for the benefit of the United States. I have a natural inclination to help others and serve the community around me, wherever in the world that may be. In my experiences, I have grown as a leader of others and acquired valuable skills such as time management, self-discipline, and public service to compliment my already embedded sense of commitment to serve my country as a United States Naval Officer.

Naval Aviator (Pilot) #1

Extraordinary, that is my desire for my life. Albeit a worthy existence, I want more than just a regular nine to five job, four kids, and a picket fence to surround my suburban home. Honor, respect, dependable, hard-working, responsible are just a few of the attributes I hope to further develop. The development of such attributes will help me to have the kind of positive impact on the world I desire. The United States Navy will definitely provide me ample opportunity to grow in these areas. From an early age, my parents have instilled in me strong moral values, including hard work, integrity, and a desire for excellence. Having served as a leader in my youth group at my local church for the majority of my childhood and during high school, I learned a lot about manhood from older role models in the church. Another area that helped shape my character was my involvement in team sports. Playing baseball, soccer and football | learned the importance of working as a team to achieve our common goal of victory. Persevering in the face of adversity during competition on the gridiron helps to prove what the old proverb says “as iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another.” While participating in team sports, I learned not only the importance of physical fitness but how to interact with others in a group setting to accomplish our objective. For example, I was expected to show leadership to the younger players when I was a senior year on the varsity baseball team. In addition, my involvement with sports has taught me the importance of discipline and maintaining a positive attitude and a desire for success in everything I do. My desire to succeed led me to pursue a college degree. However I didn’t want just any degree, I wanted to learn challenging and practical skills. Years of study and hard work paid off as I am near receiving a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction Science, a technical management degree specific to the construction industry. During my college years, I assumed a variety of different leadership roles including a volunteer position at my local church, vice president for a Christian fraternity, and a treasurer for a prestigious academic organization. During my four years at Texas A&M, I have been a member of a Christian fraternity for the duration of my time here. It has been an incredible experience, providing me with a social break from my studies and providing me with great leadership opportunities. For half of my sophomore and junior year, I served as the vice president for this fraternity. My responsibilities included planning the social events, communicating and delegating tasks, and coordinating a community-wide outreach concert that cost over twenty five thousand dollars. Communication and preparation skills, I have learned, are an important part of college and life. Both as bible study leader and vice president, I was charged with setting a vision for the group and charting a path to help us navigate successfully the challenges before us. Whether it was leading our small group in prayer or blazing a trail of excellence for the fraternity, my preparation and communication proved invaluable. Amongst the most valuable attributes I have come to appreciate is time management. Finally, I have come to appreciate that if I do not manage my time my time will manage me. The second semester of my junior year I was honored to be selected for a coveted internship position offered through the College of Architecture of which my degree is a part. So, I moved to Austin, Texas and worked for a construction company, Harvey-Cleary, while going to Texas A&M part- time for the first seven months of 2013. During this time, I learned a lot about myself, including the development of some excellent work habits. My direct supervisor made a point to mention that I was a tireless worker pursuing my goals with tenacity and conviction and thus trusting me with even greater work responsibilities. In the workplace, there were plenty of times when I did not know how to complete an objective given to me, so I had to figure out the correct solution to the problem. It was on this internship when I learned that I am very task-oriented. My superiors observed that I am a quick study and demonstrated their approval by giving me additional responsibilities. I thrived in the alpha-male, high-expectation culture that encompasses the construction industry. These challenging situations I encountered on my construction internship will help me to be successful as a Naval officer. Over the course of my lifelong journey, my experiences have helped me develop many of the attributes that make me a strong candidate as an officer for the United States Navy. Moreover, my work ethic and tenacious nature will ensure that I achieve my goals. The opportunity to serve my country and lead sailors as an officer are the types of challenges I welcome and the reason I am applying for a commission. The mission of the United States Navy is to train, maintain and equip combat ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. This mission coincides with my desire to change the world. I believe it is my destiny to become a Naval Officer and have the kind of impact most have only imagined.

Naval Aviator (Pilot) #2

Leadership. It is the cornerstone on which all organizations are built, maintained, and improved. It is through a legacy of superior leadership that the United States Navy has established itself as the single dominant naval force in the history of the world. It is this legacy of superior leadership that I feel compelled to join. Throughout my life I have been a natural leader. Through training with the Boy Scouts as a youth, the Marine Corps as a young adult, and while working and studying as a student at Texas A&M, I have taken my natural abilities and carefully honed them through classroom studies and application. As a youth I found encouragement from my father to join the Boy Scouts. Though at first I was resistant to the program, I soon found value in the lessons I learned about citizenship, loyalty, service, and leadership from Troop 600 of the Sam Houston Area Council. Through self determination, I steadily progressed through the scout ranks; earning friends and respect along the way. As a Life Scout, I took up the mantle of Patrol Leader, making me responsible for 10 other boys. After another year, I earned the title of Eagle Scout. I attended both Junior Leader Training Camp (JLTC) and National Junior Leader Training Camp (NJLTC). After completing NJLTC I served on the staff of two JLTC programs. My first, as a Camp Quartermaster, in charge of food and supplies for all staff and campers, and my second as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader of the Camp, the equivalent of an XO. In this role I was in charge of programs and staff presentations. During this time, I was also voted to become the Senior Patrol Leader of my home Troop, and now responsible for conducting our meetings, camping trips, and setting the example for over 40 young scouts. Soon after this I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow where I learned about cheerful service to God and Country. Overall I feel that I had a very successful career as a Boy Scout and that it has prepared me very well for the many challenges yet to come in my life. After one year of college, I found that I had no definitive direction on where I wanted to go in life. I decided at that particular time, college was not my motivation. I needed something that would allow me time to challenge myself outside of the classroom while providing the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. After careful research and planning, I decided to enlist with the Marine Corps as an aviation contract option. After arriving at MCRD San Diego and completing in-processing I classed up with India Company and began my training. After two weeks I fell ill and was transferred to a recovery platoon where I spent two months and was offered a medical discharge. I refused the discharge option and set about ensuring the return of my health and preparing for my return to training. My determination paid off with my return to a training platoon in Golf Company where I spent the majority of the rest of training as the Guide. As the Platoon Guide I provided direct leadership to my fellow recruits and led by example. Helping my fellow recruits with studying Marine Corps Knowledge or with physical training was commonplace. I graduated from MCRD San Diego as a Platoon Honorman. After completing Marine Combat Training I was then transferred to CNATT (Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training) where I graduated with exceptional marks. I was then assigned to HMLA-169 where I served as a Huey/Cobra power plant mechanic. As a Lance Corporal there was very little I could do in the way of leadership aside from encouraging my peers to better themselves. I acquired my Cobra Plane Captain certification before our first deployment and my Huey Plane Captain certification shortly after our return, seven months later. I attended Corporals Course at Del Mar on Camp Pendleton where my leadership skills were further sharpened. Shortly after I earned the rank of Sergeant and was assigned eight Marines to guide as a mentor. As a Sergeant, I earned my Collateral Duty Inspector certification which allowed me to inspect and sign off maintenance performed by junior marines as correct and safe for flight. After five years with the Marine Corps my enlistment was up and I had decided that I needed to complete the college education that I started. Returning to college after working for so long was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Returning to college at Texas A&M was a greater challenge than I had anticipated, but not so tough that I have not excelled. While attending classes full time I also worked part time at Easterwood Airport as a line and fuel technician. Though I did not serve in any official leadership role, I made sure to set the example for junior technicians and hold them accountable for actions taken. Balancing my class load and work at the airport was difficult but rewarding, I have maintained an excellent grade point average while continuing to provide for my family. All of these events, and others, have helped to shape me into the man I am today. Through my experiences with the Boy Scouts, the United States Marine Corps, and as a student at Texas A&M I have sharpened the natural leadership abilities that I already possessed. I am ready to continue serving my country and look forward to facing the challenges that I know I will find as a Naval officer. Being intrinsically motivated, I am certain that my drive for excellence will be a great asset as I find a place among the superior leadership that comprises the United States Navy.

Naval Aviator (Pilot) #3

I have wanted to serve my country for as long I can remember. I have had 4 Uncles in the Navy with each of them serving in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. They have inspired me since I was very small that serving one’s country is the greatest honor any man can have in his life. This country was founded on the principles of challenging freedom and spreading our freedom to the people that needed it the most. My uncles were ecstatic when I told them I am applying to join the U.S. Navy, I hope to make them proud by serving my country. One of my late great, great uncles, was killed in the Battle of Cape Esperance in 1942 aboard the USS Duncan. I had another great uncle who served as the Commanding Officer of the USS Roark. Before he died, he sent me several inspiring notes and memorabilia. He always told me not to give up my dream of becoming a Navy officer. I have been in leadership positions since I was a young teen. My first leadership position was when I was the captain of my 8th grade football team which grew into being captain of my sophomore football team. Later, I started working at a YMCA camp when I was 17 and was the youngest counselor employed that summer. Within 2 weeks of being there, I was thrust into being the head lifeguard at the pool which made me in charge of other counselors that were 4-5 years older than I was. This continued the next summer when I became a head counselor. My 4th summer there I became Water Front director which put me directly in charge of 25 people in and around the lake. I became the Captain of my Swim team my senior year of high school. I continued my swimming career in college and once again was chosen to be captain my junior year all the way to my senior year in college. Being a captain of the swim team, I had direct influence on my teammates. I was the liaison between the coaches and team. I mediated several conflicts and improved the relationships of the coaching staff with the team. My senior year we were Conference runner-ups in the Summit League which is a drastic improvement from coming in 5th my first year in college. I left college with 1 team record in the 800 freestyle relay and many wins. I chose to swim for South Dakota State University because I wanted a challenging college career. Being a normal student would not have been enough for me. I wanted the competition and the team atmosphere in my life. Being a college athlete taught me numerous lessons in my 4 years. The first was time management. This is a skill that I think is crucial to being a Naval Officer and Pilot . I also learned how to network with others. I needed to be able to communicate with my professors and coaches on my swim and school schedule and what needed to be done so I can be the best student athlete. I needed to be in the best physical and mental shape while I was competing and going to class. Getting up for 5 am swim, going to class all day then back in the pool by 2 p.m. which demanded my full attention everyday. Swimming for 4 years in college gave me the life skills to be a successful and hardworking American. I can bring the skills I have already learned and improve on them in the United States Navy. I have been flying for 3 years now and have flown with numerous Military pilots from different services plus many professional pilots with the Airlines. They have all taught me that while I seem to be “a natural” at flying, I need to constantly seek to improve my skills as a pilot. I appreciate your consideration and would love to have the opportunity to serve in the United States Navy. This would allow me to serve my country, hone my leadership skills, improve my motivational skills and continue to fly. I believe that all of the above traits and the content of my packet make me a strong candidate to become a Naval officer. I would be honored to be considered for the United States Navy Officer Candidate Program.

Naval Aviator (Pilot) #4

Following graduation from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, many of my fellow classmates have been perfectly content to move back home and start their careers. I, on the other hand, feel that there has to be more to life than just working for the next forty years in the busy suburbs of Chicago. I want to be able to proudly look back and say that I have been a part of something greater than myself. I know without a doubt that serving my country as a Naval Officer will give me that opportunity. I grew up in a family that looked upon military service as a higher calling. My father, cousins, uncle, and grandfathers have all served this country with distinction, and I always dreamt of following in their footsteps. This seed was planted early on. One day as a young boy, I went with my mom on a visit to see my dad at Barksdale Air Force Base. I can still vividly recall looking out over the tarmac and marveling at the majesty of those big B-52s. From that moment on I knew I wanted to pursue a career in military aviation. As I grew older, I continued to feed my hunger for all things military aviation with countless books about WWII. I was particularly inspired by the story of how our Navy rose from the dark days following Pearl Harbor to soon wield, within 4 short years, the most formidable Navy the world has ever seen. It was around this point in my life that I knew that I didn’t just want to be a pilot, but I wanted to be a Naval Aviator. I have never been one to sit idly by and let life just happen to me. Whether it was in the classroom or out on the field, I saw to it that I would never shy away from making that extra effort to ensure success. I trace all this back to my parents, who instilled in me the belief that if you want something in life you must pursue it with unwavering commitment. Throughout high school I continually pushed myself to succeed academically. I eventually finished third in my class, was accepted to the nationally ranked chemistry program at the University of Illinois, and won several scholarships along the way that enabled me to graduate from college completely debt-free. I also saw some athletic success at the varsity level in football, wrestling, and baseball. Participating in high school athletics taught me many important life lessons, such as the recognition of how much more our bodies are truly capable of, as well as the necessity of teamwork. During high school I was also fortunate enough to have served in numerous leadership roles. I was elected Student Government Vice President by my peers and performed duties ranging from organizing dances to collecting money for charitable organizations. As Student Government Vice President I learned how to set aside my differences and make compromises with others for the good of the student body. An additional leadership opportunity I had while in high school was as the captain of my wrestling team during my senior year. This leadership role taught me how to motivate others to achieve what they didn’t believe was possible – a very rewarding opportunity. My experiences in high school were very influential in making me the kind of person I am today. They taught me a great deal about the values of education, teamwork, and leadership – all essential qualities for becoming a successful Naval Officer. My years at the University of Illinois were a period of further refinement for me as an individual. I continued to take on leadership roles, namely as a Resident Advisor (RA) for a private dorm on campus. As an RA I found myself learning how to manage the fine line between being friendly with residents while also being an authority figure. The lessons learned from this experience would be immensely helpful to me during a career as a Naval Officer. I also strove to apply the knowledge I was gaining in the classroom through an experience as an Undergraduate Researcher. My time as an Undergraduate Researcher made me realize that I relish opportunities to continually learn and then utilize this knowledge in a practical setting. A career in the Navy would enable me to live a lifestyle full of such opportunities. Academically things were no longer quite as easy as they had been in high school, and thus I found myself working harder than I ever had before. It was under such pressures that I learned the priceless skill of time management. Initially I had trouble adjusting to the rigorous course load, but from the second semester of my sophomore year through graduation, I saw my GPA increase each successive semester. Due to my hard work during those four years, I was fortunate enough to gain admittance to the well-regarded Materials Science and Engineering graduate program at Texas A&M University. An integral part of my graduate studies in engineering at Texas A&M has been learning how to not just become an expert researcher in my field of study, but also how to share this knowledge with others through presentations and papers. Due to my program here at Texas A&M being quite international, I have had to make adjustments to reach across cultural and linguistic barriers. Learning how to relate to others from different backgrounds has been an enriching experience – one that would serve me well in a career as a Naval Officer. A career in the Navy would be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. I realize that it will have its share of challenges to overcome, but I can think of no other lifestyle more suited for me. I am confident that the experiences I’ve had during high school, college, and graduate school have helped me develop the traits necessary to become a good Naval Officer. Becoming a Naval Officer would be a privilege I won’t take lightly. I look forward to the opportunity to help others, develop my leadership skills, and make my country a safer place. I would be extremely honored if you will consider me for the United States Navy Officer Candidate program.

Naval Aviator (Pilot) #5

The U. S. Navy represents the strength, the honor and the freedoms of this country. These are the personal traits of military service men and women that I admire and will obtain. I learned of these traits as a student in high school and developed a strong interest in the Navy. As I near graduation from Texas A&M University, I have developed a strong motivation to rise to challenges and my own strength and confidence have increased to the point where I believe that I will become a commissioned officer of the U. S. Navy, representing American courage and values. Courage which has met all challenges and values that has helped surpass all roadblocks of the past. Starting my studies as a chemistry major it became apparent that the level of intelligence required to complete the studies was advanced. As I attended classes and balanced my volunteer activities, my workload required a high level of commitment and my time needed to be balanced. Each class required me to adapt my technique to solve the problems presented. As the years passed my ability to effectively solve complex questions, in the lab or classroom, increased and the time it took to apply this ability decreased. Studying as a chemistry major at Texas A&M University did not allow for me to give anything but my complete focus to the studies. Handling the course load for the major also required many hours of focused study for each class and an ability to solve the varied problems presented. In my leadership roles I have learned that the most important quality of leadership comes from following, first and foremost. Leadership does not come from the ability to bark orders at subordinates; it comes from a desire and ability to motivate people to complete a common goal. During various mission trips, I supervised inexperienced and younger members. I developed an ability to organize and focus the different personalities and accomplish the goals of repairing a hurricane damaged roof and putting together a frame for a house. In the heat of south Texas and the island of Haiti, tempers have a short fuse and personalities tend to clash. Being able to motivate people to work also involves focusing people with different traits and skills on tasks that are most appropriate for them. With these concepts in mind, I was able to lead a combination of individuals that effectively completed multiple tasks. Another trait important to leadership roles is the realization that sometimes those who follow you may have a better solution to a presented problem and that your own choices are not always right. As a team leader in the MiniPharma program in college, I managed people who sometimes had a better grasp on the scientific method or concept we were using at the time. Being a leader does not mean you are the smartest person in the room, but it does mean that you are accountable for the success of the organization. I also realized that these roles, given to me by elders who believed that I had potential to fulfill them, came with a motivation to continuously make personal improvements. My grandfathers both are military veterans with one serving as a career Army officer for 30 years. Through them, I have seen all the leadership characteristics that the military builds in the Americans that serve and how leaders can be honed. I hope to be a commissioned officer with service oriented goals that are something greater than the individualized trivial pursuits that have overrun our world. In the Navy consistent physical and mental improvements in my life are obtainable goals. The U.S. Navy is a symbol that humanity does not have to become stagnant, leading to the inability to change and grow. As a U. S. Navy officer I will be part of an organization that not only demands improvement from its members, but helps to advance others and provides protection for this wonderful country and citizens of the world. As I become an officer of the United States Navy, I will have the ability to influence others and motivate them to rise to the next challenge.

Naval Aviator (Pilot) #6

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by aircraft and spacecraft. Attending the Fort Worth Alliance air shows became an annual family activity and quickly became my favorite; watching the high maneuverability aircraft zip through the air was intoxicating. Having had my interest piqued, I spent hours upon hours learning about various aircraft. Throughout my life, my father always tried to instill in me the importance of hard work and the value of the dollar. Despite my parents’ comfortable, middle class income, they insisted that I get a job and work for what I wanted. By age fourteen I was working for a small, local electronics business. Before I turned sixteen I had saved up enough money to buy my own vehicle. I continued to work regularly throughout my high school and college years. Because of these experiences, I have developed a strong sense of drive, responsibility and work ethic. I welcome jobs and tasks I am given and take very seriously the effort and work I need to apply to stretch myself beyond what I consider my best. During high school I developed as a leader through my time in athletics, as a math tutor, and working. I regularly coached my football teammates to work harder both in the weight room and on the field. During cross country practices, I collaborated with the team to set running goals, meeting early in the mornings to practice during the summer and motivating one another. During workouts, I frequently ran back after completing the circuit to run with anyone struggling to stay motivated. During the years I spent working in restaurants, I was often given the responsibility of training new employees since I was adept at our computer systems and considered very good at teaching and leading people. I provided tutoring services in mathematics to fellow students as community service during my junior and senior years; I even coached a young lady who was preparing for a placement exam to enter a college-level physical therapy program. Academically, I did phenomenally well in high school. I graduated in the top 5% of my class and received top honors for having the highest SAT score in my graduating class, even while participating in athletics, tutoring and working 20+ hours a week. These high achievements provided me with choices and opportunities to attend university, including Texas A&M, a competitive and prestigious school, well known for their rigorous Aerospace Engineering program. A decade after my first air show, working with advanced aircraft was and still is a primary motivator. Unfortunately in my beginning years at the university, I made textbook freshman mistakes and finished my first year with a much too low GPA. During the following years, I largely lost sight of my goals. I hit the metaphorical “rock bottom” when I was twenty-two years old, during my fourth year in college. I was on a five year plan for graduation because the GPA requirements for initial entrance into upper-level classes forced me to repeat prerequisite courses. I could have viewed this time in my life as a failure, but instead I stayed focused, continued my studies and decided I needed to make changes to my goals and aspirations. I had allowed myself to become physically out of shape during those first few years as well. This failure led me to a sudden epiphanic urge to get my life back on track. During the last three semesters of my college career at Texas A&M University, I transformed my life. I began waking up every morning before summer classes to run, bike or swim. I began sitting at the front of every class and paying close attention. I picked up extra shifts and worked more hours as a lifeguard at the university recreational center. My GPA for my last three semesters steadily improved from 3.2, to 3.4, to 3.75, all while working 25-35 hours a week and regularly working out. More important than the increase in my academic marks, however, was the palpable increase in my happiness. I had a new-found interest in my studies and my general satisfaction with life had improved by leaps and bounds. It was at that time that I learned the most important lessons of my life. One receives from life what one puts into it, and it’s never too late to make changes. I now live by these beliefs. While my time at university may have missed the stellar academic mark I once desired, it provided me opportunities for self-improvement, to learn from my mistakes, and to set rigorous expectations and goals for myself. I had to balance my time between school and jobs, but learned to sharpen my leadership skills. I worked hard and trained new people. I had numerous opportunities where I chose to take charge. I remember an incident where the manager did not show up and there was no one to open the pool. I took charge, called our director to make sure she was aware, and proceeded to run through all of the most important procedures, ensuring that lifeguards were properly distributed to each pool and the pumps were working. I also regularly performed community service work. While in the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, I led pledge classes in a multitude of service projects including running a hospice fund-raiser, running blood drives, cleaning up a cemetery, working Big Event (a community wide project done annually in College Station), and helping some of the locals with landscaping. During my senior design project for my degree, during which we designed an aircraft and then produced a working scaled down model, I was head safety officer and manager for my group. It was my responsibility to delegate important tasks and to ensure that all the information required was obtained and ultimately presented during our biweekly reviews. This gave me great insight into managerial leadership in the professional world. as our professor was a former test pilot for both industry and the U.S. Air Force and did his best to try to emulate that type of environment into our class curriculum. Now that I have graduated, my desire to work with aircraft is stronger than ever. I believe my background in aeronautics could be a great boon to our country’s military and would be honored to be given the opportunity to use my knowledge and drive to help defend our country. Thank you for your consideration.

Nuclear Propulsion Officer (Nuke) #1

“The purpose of life is not to be happy – but to matter, to be productive. to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.” This quote by Leo Rosten has always influenced me greatly, and illustrates a major reason that I want to become an officer in the Navy. I have always wanted to join the armed forces and becoming an officer is a great opportunity to see the world, to be a leader of men, to help others and to distinguish myself. Growing up around my grandfather and uncle has also influenced my desire to become an officer in the Navy very greatly. My grandfather served as a navigator, commissioning through ROTC and my uncle served as an aircraft repair technician on a carrier. Listening to their stories is always one of my favorite parts about visiting them. They became role models to me as I grew up hearing about their exciting, worthwhile and often humorous adventures and I have long wanted to emulate their example and join the Navy. As a college student, at Texas A&M University, I am part of the NROTC program and a member of the Corps of Cadets. Through NROTC I have learned about all of the different career paths and opportunities in the Navy and learned about the NUPOC program. I realized how beneficial the NUPOC program would be to me because it gives me the opportunity to see the world, realize and develop my leadership skills and to serve my country. I believe that I possess many skills and attributes that will help me succeed in the program and as an officer. Throughout my life I have been involved in the Boy Scouts of America, rising all the way to the rank of Eagle Scout. The experiences that I have had have made me a better person and helped me to become a leader. In the Boy Scouts I held many different leadership positions such as head troop instructor, troop guide and patrol leader. The responsibilities of these positions helped to develop me as a leader, especially the head troop instructor position because I was responsible for not only teaching the younger scouts how to tie knots and all of the other skills but also the other troop instructors, making sure that they were doing their jobs correctly and planning when and what we would teach. I also had many opportunities to test myself and experience some unique situations, like going to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and backpacking through the mountains. On these treks I hiked 90 miles up and down the mountains with a heavy backpack, while carrying my own food and purifying my own water and was really able to challenge myself. I realized that I could reach higher and force myself to accomplish anything. These experiences in the Boy Scouts have inspired me to want to continue to challenge myself by becoming an officer in the Navy and the leadership and time management skills I learned will help me become a very successful Navy officer. Throughout my high school career I was able to excel academically, while participating in many organizations. I graduated top ten percent in my class of over 600 people from -_-_-_. I took many different advanced placement classes, like physics and calculus, and was involved in the Latin club, the chemistry club, the National Honor Society and the Boy Scouts. I was also a member of the school lacrosse team, playing midfield. All of these activities taught me how to manage my time and gave me opportunities to be involved and become a leader. Especially trying to balance playing lacrosse, being involved in scouting and excelling academically have taught me exceptional work ethic and how to achieve my goals. I am currently a student at Texas A&M University, studying mechanical engineering, where I am a member of the Corps of Cadets, as well as many other organizations throughout campus. I have excelled academically throughout my time at Texas A&M; I am a member of the Engineering Scholars Program, a honors program for engineering, and have above a 3.4 GPA, all while being an active member of the Corps of Cadets and a member of the NROTC Battalion. Being in the Corps has taught me many important leadership skills and has developed me as a leader more than any other organization I have ever been a part of. In my freshman year, I learned how to be a follower and I learned that in order to be a leader you must first learn how to follow. Because I excelled as a follower, I was selected, out of many people, to become a leader in my sophomore year. I am currently holding the positions of Fire Team Leader and Scholastics corporal in my outfit and these positions have taught me so much about what it takes to be a leader. As a Fire Team Leader I am responsible for the training and management of the new freshman in our outfit and as the scholastics corporal I am responsible for helping everyone maintain good grades. These positions and the fact that I am also working very hard to excel academically have taught me extremely good time management skills, which I believe will be very beneficial to becoming a Naval officer. Outside of the Corps of Cadets, I am a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of Class Councils, which is our student government organization that I was selected for my sophomore year. Being so successful in all of these organizations and academically have made me a very well rounded individual, with superb time management skills. Growing up in a Christian family, I have learned to put other people before myself and to help those in need. During recent years I have participated in many service groups benefiting the homeless, I have helped at many Eagle Scout Projects and have been active in my church youth group. These activities have shown me the satisfaction of helping other people and I would like to continue this feeling and make it part of my future career. As a Naval Officer I will have the opportunity to serve and protect the country that I love. I know that becoming a Naval Officer will be very difficult: I know that I will be forced to make sacrifices and I understand that there is a possibility of dying in the service. Despite all of these things I have always wanted to challenge myself and I believe that I can overcome these trials and distinguish myself as a Naval Officer. I believe that my past experiences, intelligence and leadership skills will help me excel as a Naval Officer and in the NUPOC program.

Nuclear Propulsion Officer (Nuke) #2

My decision to apply for the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate Program began over the Christmas holiday after my first semester at Texas A&M. I enjoyed studying Calculus and Physics in high school and researched enough information to know I wanted to be an engineer when I entered college. It was difficult to decide which major was the best choice for me so I decided to look at jobs each major led to upon graduation. When I saw Nuclear Engineering I thought about how important that energy source can be when needed in the right situations and I was intrigued by the thought of so much energy from such a small source. I looked into the job field for Nuclear Engineering and saw the Navy was the largest player when it came to Nuclear Energy needs. Immediately, I went to the Navy’s website and there on the front page was a link to careers involving Nuclear Energy. I read the entire article about the NUPOC program and it seemed as if everything I was searching for added up. The leadership responsibilities, the efficient and disciplined environment, and the opportunity to work with an outstanding group of trained men and women who have all volunteered to be a part of something much greater than themselves. I have enjoyed working with other people for as long as I can remember. Whether I am leading or following, I am always keeping the team together and focused on achieving our goal. In high school, I challenged myself by taking advanced placement classes and competing on the golf team. My class work was difficult but I knew that hard work was the key to a bright future. I looked to golf as my outlet from class work and I became seriously competitive after just a few months of picking up the game. I feel that I offered a strong sense of pride and work ethic to our team during the season and after three years of hard work it resulted in the school’s first ever advancement to the regional tournament. In step with success during the golf season, I was nominated into the National Honors Society resulting from exceptional display of character and competitive grades. Elections were later held for President, Vice President. Treasurer, and Secretary. I ran for Vice President and was elected over 4 running mates. During my time as Vice President our organization coordinated a fund raiser and set up peer mentoring sessions after school for those who were struggling with their school work and wanted to receive extra help. These two events taught me a great deal about what it takes to be a successful leader and also allowed me to deal with great responsibility. I have been raised under the attitude that success requires a level of efficiency and discipline. Without discipline, boundaries are not set and things can get out of hand quickly. My parents have instilled the value of discipline and respect in me and I believe these traits have carried over and shaped me into a respectful, disciplined young man. I want to work for a team who holds me to high standards and expects positive results. I know the Navy will carry out these standards and results because of the importance they hold for the security of the United States. I am currently practicing strong levels of discipline during my studies at Texas A&M. It is imperative to stay disciplined during the semester in order to produce adequate results the university and the NUPOC program expects from its students. I have met some extraordinary people who have been in the Navy and who are currently serving. I understand the Navy is a voluntary service and I would be honored to work with a group of men and women who have willingly devoted their lives for the greater good of our nation. The opportunity to become an officer in the United States Navy is something I have taken to heart and I believe this opportunity has been presented in front of me because it is my duty to take responsibility, express leadership, and one day be a part of the Navy’s elite submarine force.

Nuclear Propulsion Officer (Nuke) #3

Life is complex. We were all born the same, but at life’s completion we are all very different. We make choices that will affect our lives in unforeseen ways, causing us to stray from an otherwise common path. Which path we select is unknown to us until we observe and ponder it fully- oftentimes many years after its choosing. We may find ourselves one day wishing we had done something we were too scared or nervous to – perhaps hoping we had taken a risk, tested our limits. For me, the option is a simple one. I want to be different, do something few people have ever done or will ever know. It’s not about glory or fame; I want to join the United States Navy to distinguish myself from others as a leader of men, a living embodiment of character and respect. Currently I am studying chemical engineering at the University of Texas A&M, and am aware that upon my graduation, the opportunity for financial success will be within sight. However, I don’t want to take a mundane desk or industrial job; I want to do something bold. I know a lot of people who barely know me may think of myself as someone who always plays it “safe.” and to a certain extent they are correct. But those who really know me understand that nothing will ever satisfy my hunger to prove myself. While in high school I enjoyed success in many facets of life, I could not have obtained them without hard work, dedication, and people who truly believed in me. There was a lot of adversity for me to reach my high school goals. I overcame a lot of personal and physical barriers of which included the Boy Scouts. I had entered as a young middle school adolescent but through the process and hardship gained invaluable leadership skills that will stay with me for the rest of my life. While in the boy scouts I obtained several leadership positions like patrol leader and troop instructor, where I would mentor the younger scouts, help facilitate their growth in the program, and really just serve as a role model. These were truly rewarding experiences that instilled in me the values of responsibility, morality, and obedience. Finally in 2012 all of the ideals the Boy Scouts instilled in me were tested during my Eagle Scout project, in which I proved to the adult leaders my transition from one who followed obediently to one who leads passionately. Additionally, I finished in the top 10% of my high school class, played the Viola in the symphony orchestra, and was an active member in NHS and student council. On top of that, during my senior year I was chosen to lead a group of 28 middle schoolers and 7 peers through a program that fosters team-building and group camaraderie. Though my patience was tested, ideals challenged, and buttons pushed, I navigated the team through unforeseen adversity and significant obstacles. In the end my team of 35 weathered the week and came through as more cohesive, understanding individuals. But what I am personally most proud of, and what really sums up my persona as an individual, was my rise to a starting role on the soccer team. From the onset I was perceived as almost useless. I was only kept on the varsity team because I had “played” four years in the program – and I use the word “play” lightly because really I was always a bench player, sometimes not even playing a single minute in the big JV games. They saw me as weak and simply not good enough. I remember sitting on the bench the entire first game of my senior season, utterly humiliated. But this did not make me fold and crumple, but rather made me stronger. I used it as motivation to get better, faster, stronger, and left everything out on the practice field everyday hoping for just one opportunity. I literally was the first one out and the last one in, as being a varsity soccer player was something I had always wanted, and I was not taking no for an answer. Finally, on a cold Friday night, an opportunity presented itself. The team was trailing and the momentum was favoring the opposition. One of our starters was hurt on a vicious tackle and the coach told me to warm-up, telling me that if I could emulate what I had learned in practice, that nothing could stop me. He was right. I scored a goal within my first ten minutes of stepping onto the turf, and the rest was history. I ended up starting most every game and the team reached the state-semifinals. Granted, this story is one based on a high school experience and may not carry weight to some people, it means a lot to me. I could have written this essay about coaching a youth soccer team, about how I am a first generation American, or maybe even about how my faith represents a unique blend of Hinduism and Buddhism. However, life is full of different paths and choices; And I believe this story of personal triumph best embodies the person that I am becoming. In a world characterized by so many paths, my most wholehearted goal is to choose that which never deviates from my moral compass. So when asked what motivates me to become a naval officer I think of all the things that have led me to this point – I think of all the triumphs and heartaches I have endured, and know that this is something I was meant to do. The opportunity to be a leader of men and to serve something greater than myself is simply something that I cannot pass up. I want my path to run through the navy, I want to experience things few have ever had the audacity to do. I know the path will be difficult and full of great hardships, but I also know that anything that means anything in this world is something we have to fight for, something that we must earn.

Nuclear Propulsion Officer (Nuke) #4

Throughout my life, I have been surrounded by a military atmosphere: from my father being a Sergeant in the Army and my grandfather being a 1st Lieutenant in the Army to my Uncle who was a Nuclear Mechanic for the Navy. I was brought up to believe that serving in the United States Military was one of the most honorable and rewarding events a young man could do with his life. My family also instilled in me that earning a college degree was more important than any other priority. So as I started applying to college, my thoughts of serving in the military became a secondary goal to getting a good education. However, I ended up being accepted to Texas A&M, the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and the number two Nuclear Engineering program in America. It was here that I was introduced to the NUPOC program and becoming an Officer for the greatest Navy in the world. I recognize all of the opportunities this program has to offer from the world class reactor operations to its leadership potential. I believe every leadership position, activity and school hour I have taken has prepared me to become a candidate and eventually an officer for the United States Nuclear Navy. My high school career has had multiple achievements with my most notable being my Eagle Scout award. I have been in the scouting program from cub scouts beginning in kindergarten, and from there crossing over to Boy Scouts in 6th grade where I eventually worked my way through the scouting ranks. I soon became Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 430, and during that time I led over 80 scouts. Even though I am currently in college. I still actively participate in my troop back in Las Vegas and I also help with my cousin’s troop in Dallas. As I progressed through scouting, 1 learned my core values and learned the importance of integrity and honor. I was dedicated to completing my Eagle Scout project which allowed me to earn the highest award in scouting. In addition to those attributes I also held a leadership role very few people get to experience, so I consider earning my Eagle Scout to be the cornerstone of my current leadership traits. I do not have any difficulty with bringing people together to accomplish a common goal due to my leadership experience in scouts. I focus on mentoring the older scouts through their Eagle Projects and I teach backpacking and camping to the younger scouts. This allows me to give back to the organization that taught me so much about life while at the same time continuing to help me learn how to communicate my ideas more effectively since I am dealing with multiple ranges of age groups. While in high school I also actively played varsity lacrosse. For my senior year I was named defensive captain, MVP of the team and was 2nd place for Scholar Athlete for the lacrosse district I played for in Las Vegas, Nevada. While playing lacrosse I was not the fastest or strongest player, but I did have the best technique. I could take command on my side of the field during games and lead practices without supervision. I worked hard to get my team to be the best they could be and pushed myself and the rest of the team to meet higher expectations. Throughout high school I cemented my values and beliefs of honor and integrity but I also formed habits such a determination, commitment and a strong work ethic which will serve me greatly in my future endeavors. Currently attending Texas A&M, I am challenged every day, especially majoring in Nuclear Engineering which more than doubles the challenges I face daily. The traits that I have learned from my high school career have allowed me to succeed academically and in the Corps of Cadets. Throughout my entire college career, I have had one difficult semester and that was spring 2012. Due to an accumulation of events I pulled a subpar GPR which did not meet my high expectations I set for myself. However, instead of doing what many of my classmates have done, which was drop out, I buckled down and fixed my problems. As a result of my determination, work ethic and time management, I earned a 3.25 with five engineering classes, two of which were nuclear engineering based. From here on out, I predict a rise in my GPR even though I am taking classes such as Reactor Theory which heavily emphasizes the transport equation. While also in college I participated in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets as well. This has taught me how to be a follower, a direct leader and an indirect leader. Currently I am learning about executive leadership. All of this has taken place in a controlled military setting, where I receive training from former military officers who have experience in similar issues. Currently I am a Cadet Master Sergeant in charge of scholastic achievement for cadets. I have had to learn how to give orders, receive orders; and probably the hardest part is instructing my own peers on how to accomplish a given assignment. Last summer, I received an internship as an associate engineer for National Security Technologies at the Nevada National Security Site. While there I was able to demonstrate my engineering abilities but most importantly I was able to further develop my personal work ethic. Even though I was given low priority work, I was still able to find mistakes in as built engineering drawings that would have cost the company thousands of dollars to finally recognize and fix. I also learned how to discuss technical issues with responsible cognizant engineers and since many of these engineers where former Navy Nuclear Engineers, I know I learned from the best. Near the end of my internship, I was given a project to draw piping diagrams in the facility by myself with little assistance. In the end, after I taught myself the correct way to complete the project by following company engineering manuals, I had to present these drawings to the engineering team. At the end of my internship, I was offered the same engineering position when I returned to Las Vegas during my winter break and for the following summer of 2013. Since my father and grandfather work at the Nevada Test Site, I have been exposed to the nuclear field my entire life, and for that reason I chose to obtain a Nuclear Engineering degree from Texas A&M. I am dedicated to achieving goals in the things I am passionate about which is both a career in nuclear engineering and the work opportunities offered in the nuclear Navy. More importantly though, I have learned how to recover from difficulties and work harder to excel in achieving my goals. I do not quit on any of my endeavors, and I always put forth my core values of excellence, integrity, discipline and selfless service in all things that I participate in. If I am in a leadership position as well, I work to hold others to a higher standard to obtain the expected goal. For those reasons. I believe I would make an outstanding officer in the Nuclear Propulsion Program.

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As China's navy grows, the US fleet is on a 'downward trajectory,' maritime expert says

• The threat of a conflict over Taiwan has put the spotlight on the US and Chinese navies.
• The US Navy has been shrinking, meaning China's is now the world's largest.
• A major decline in US shipbuilding capacity could be a problem in the future, analysts say.

The oceans are once again becoming a key geopolitical battleground.

In the Indo-Pacific, the aggressive shadow of China is growing. Meanwhile, sea-based drone warfare in the Black Sea between Russia and Ukraine and the Houthi rebels' disruption of commercial shipping in the Red Sea have become conflict hot spots.

"It's the end of the pacifist period on the seas," Dr Steven Wills of the Center for Maritime Strategy, told Business Insider.

The US fleet is still widely considered the world's most powerful navy due to its 11 aircraft carriers and cutting-edge nuclear submarine capabilities.

However, while maritime pressures have increased, US shipbuilding has stagnated.

"In the early 1990s, the Navy had over 500 ships. But over the course of the 2000s and 2010s, there was a failure to properly follow up naval deployments with enough time for refit, repair, and rest," Wills explained.

As subsidies and funding for maritime infrastructure were cut in the post-Cold War period, industry capabilities slowed. That was compounded by a series of costly shipbuilding blunders .

"The US Navy was really rudderless. They didn't have an idea what it wanted to do," Wills said.

The fleet is now down to just under 300 ships.

Doug Livermore, who until recently was a senior intelligence officer and director of sensitive activities and special operations in the Navy, admits it's "not as robust of a ramp-up as it should be."

In the latest budget released in March, plans for seven new Arleigh Burke-class destroyers were reduced to six. Just one rather than two Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines will be added, while 19 ships will be decommissioned.

"They're scrapping more ships than they're building, which means the US Navy is on a downward trajectory, not an upward trajectory," said Dr Salvatore Mercogliano, a maritime historian at Campbell University.

China outpacing the US

China has overtaken the US Navy in numerical terms with about 370 vessels, according to the Pentagon's 2023 China Military Power Report .

It will grow to be at least 50% larger than America's by 2035, a retired admiral projected in the US Naval Institute's professional journal.

Submarines, which have historically given the US primacy over the sea, are a high priority for the People's Liberation Army Navy.

China operates 60 submarines, according to the Pentagon's latest estimates. That number is expected to rise to 80 by 2035, despite the ongoing retirement of older hulls. Most of its submarines are diesel-powered, but it also has nuclear-powered attack and ballistic missile submarines that have higher speeds and longer ranges.

The US operates 67 submarines , but not all are in the Pacific.

China's navy is still not as technologically advanced, only has two aircraft carriers, and the fleet has minimal active experience, but Livermore says the pace of expansion remains a concern.

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"In the early 2000s, the Chinese navy had nothing that could rival US vessels. They were primarily diesel-powered submarines, a few old and loud nuclear-powered submarines. The speed of development is worrying," he said.

Quantity vs quality

The numbers only tell one part of the story, however. Despite its smaller size compared with China, the US Navy is still widely regarded as the world's most powerful.

In 2020, then Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that even if the US stopped building ships, it would take years for China to match the US Navy's power due to its technological capabilities and expertise.

"Ship numbers are important, but they don't tell the whole story," he said.

Another piece of the puzzle is shipbuilding capacity. China is the world's largest shipbuilder. It could use its manufacturing capacity to rapidly build more ships in wartime.

Chinese shipyards have a capacity of about 23.2 million tons, compared to the US' capacity of less than 100,000 tons, according to figures from the US Office of Naval Intelligence that emerged last year.

David Sacks, fellow for Asia studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, told BI: "One of China's largest shipyards has more capacity than all US shipyards combined. We have to maintain ships as well as obviously build new platforms, and we don't have the workers or the facilities to do that."

Peacetime footing

Gone are the days when merchant ships were built in bulk in the US, capacities that America used to expand its fleet by more than 15 times in World War II. In an extended war, China is poised to rapidly build this kind of vast fleet — a capacity the US lacks.

Instead, the US defense industrial base still finds itself on a post-Cold War peacetime footing, analysts told BI.

Expanding American shipbuilding capacity ought to start now, Wills said: "You don't make the arsenal of democracy overnight."

"The composition of the Navy is a long-term issue. If you want to start changing force structure, it takes time," Mercogliano said.

But given that Japan and South Korea now dominate commercial shipbuilding, some doubt whether this is a realistic or viable option.

That could have consequences in wartime. "It would be very hard to rapidly ramp up and replace battlefield losses just given the current state of the industry," Wills said. "That's not the industry's fault — they can only operate based on what the government gives them."

Taiwan tensions

Rising tensions over Taiwan are another reason some are questioning the size and shape of the US fleet.

Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, but China sees it as a breakaway province that should be under its control.

While there have been no official signals about a looming conflict with Taiwan , China's leader Xi Jinping has said that he believes unification is inevitable and has refused to rule out using force to achieve that goal.

As a democratic ally in the region and home to a leading AI chipmaker in the form of TSMC, securing Taiwan's freedom is a key strategic and economic goal for the US.

Last month, the commander for the Indo-Pacific told lawmakers that Beijing would be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027.

If that ever happens, analysts fear the US Navy could find itself on the back foot.

The Council of Foreign Relations' Sacks pointed to a 2023 CSIS report that said the US would run out of many key munitions for a conflict over Taiwan within the first two weeks.

China's home advantage would also be significant, said Wills. "They're fighting a local game in their backyard whereas the US and everybody else, except Japan, is waging an away game. There are long logistics needed to make that happen."

"I think there ought to be a greater level of urgency here. I'm not seeing it," he added.

Countering Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific took center stage this week at the first-ever trilateral meeting between the US, Japan, and the Philippines.

The US announced more than $1 billion worth of private sector investment in chips and infrastructure to support the region and said security cooperation in the South China Sea had increased to "historic levels. "

In the week leading to the summit, the three countries and Australia held their first joint maritime military exercises in a further show of unity.

Watch: The shipwreck at the center of a battle between China and the Philippines

• Main content

The US Navy has an unmanned 5th generation carrier stealth jet. It could be a game changer

U S aerospace firm Boeing is still hoping that the new MQ-25 Stingray drone it’s building for the US Navy’s aircraft carriers could be armed for combat. Sure, there’s a profit motive. But Boeing isn’t wrong. Adding missiles to the long-ranging, Stealthy MQ-25 – the Navy’s first in service carrier-capable drone – is a really good idea.

Put simply, the MQ-25 is the only aircraft currently in development for the Navy’s carrier air wings that possesses the range to strike at Chinese forces without forcing the carrier itself to sail dangerously close to those same forces.

The Navy tapped Boeing to build the tanker drone back in 2018. Six years later, the first batch of drones is in production at the company’s new factory in Missouri. The Navy expects the $180-million drones to deploy for the first time in 2026.

As the Navy envisions it, the 51-foot MQ-25 is strictly an air-to-air tanker – for now. Its sole mission is to refuel manned planes in order to extend their range. But with a little imagination, the MQ-25 itself could become a long-range strike asset. Significantly, it has fifth-generation Stealth technology.

Boeing showed how the MQ-25 could become a strike platform. At a trade show in Maryland earlier this month, the firm displayed a scale model of the satellite-controlled MQ-25 with a pair of Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles, or LRASMs, hanging under its wings. It’s a potent pairing.

The Navy’s concept for the stealthy MQ-25 is that one drone, out of a detachment of between five and eight drones assigned to a carrier air wing, would take off ahead of the manned fighters, fly out to a distance of 500 miles from the carrier – and then wait.

When a flight of four fighters arrives, the drone would offload 16,000 pounds of fuel via underwing pods and hoses, extending the range of each fighter to more than 600 miles.

Drone refueling helps the carrier air wings to claw back some of the striking distance they possessed late in the Cold War, when carrier decks were packed with far-flying Grumman A-6 Intruder bombers and F-14 Tomcat fighters plus Lockheed S-3 Viking tankers.

The A-6 could haul a useful bomb load a thousand miles . The F-14, which in the final few years of its career gained a secondary ground-attack role, could carry laser-guided bombs 600 miles. The S-3 could add a hundred miles or more to both types’ combat radius.

The Navy retired the A-6 in 1996, the F-14 in 2006 and the S-3 in 2009. Today Boeing F/A-18s and Lockheed Martin F-35Cs are the air wing’s main strike planes. They both range around 500 miles on internal fuel with a meaningful weapons load. 

The shrinking strike radius of a carrier air wing has become a crisis as Chinese anti-ship ballistic missiles have increased in range. Around 2010, the Chinese rocket force introduced a thousand-mile variant of its DF-21 anti-ship rocket. 

The DF-26, with more than double the range, appeared in 2016. The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force possesses no fewer than 1,300 rockets, around 200 of which are the latest DF-26. Satellite pictures have revealed mockups of US warships set up as missile targets deep in China’s Gobi desert .

To strike at targets close to the Chinese mainland, an American carrier would have to sail well within range of the DF-26s. It would be no simple task for China to locate and track the ship – the carrier’s radar aircraft and fighters would keep aerial reconnaissance away, and there are serious difficulties in finding ships using satellites. Nonetheless, if China did manage to locate a carrier its escorts would have their hands full knocking down incoming ballistic missiles as the carrier launched and recovered jets. It’s a high-risk scenario.

But what if the MQ-25 kept all its fuel for itself – and carried the same missiles a manned fighter carries? In theory, an MQ-25 could range 2,000 miles from the carrier and then shoot its LRASMs at targets another 200 or 300 miles away.

Yes, the carrier would still have to sail within range of the DF-26: but only just within. As a bonus, losing a manned fighter often means losing a pilot. Lose a drone, however, and it’s just a financial write-down. 

To be clear, Navy officials long have mulled new missions for the 76 MQ-25s the fleet plans to buy. Maybe it could conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions. Maybe it could team up with smaller and faster armed drones. Last year, Navy lieutenant Josh Hano wrote an essay urging the Navy to “evolve the MQ-25 to complement – not replace – manned aircraft.”

In displaying a model of an armed MQ-25, Boeing is just reminding people of these good ideas that already have their champions. And also reminding the Navy that it could act swiftly to arm the far-flying drones, as soon as the government is ready to pay for it – and as soon as the US Navy’s pilots, who have been resisting automation for a long time , are willing to accept such a move.

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Guest Essay

Keeping U.S. Power Behind Israel Will Keep Iran at Bay

By Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh

Mr. Gerecht is a resident scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Mr. Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Until Iran’s barrage of missiles and drones against Israel, the two countries had avoided open military intrusions into each other’s territory. Tehran most often acted through proxies, and Jerusalem via bombing runs and unacknowledged assassinations in the region.

Iran’s unprecedented attack this weekend, which failed to kill a single Israeli, has perhaps now opened the clerical regime to a major reprisal. The White House clearly does not want Jerusalem to undertake such a response, fearing escalation that could bring the United States into a regional war.

But the chances are good that Israel will strike back to deter future direct attacks. And the best way for Washington to limit the expansion of this conflict is to signal clearly its intention to support an Israeli counterattack. It’s the recurring military paradox: To contain a war, a belligerent sometimes needs to threaten its expansion. Iran’s internal situation, its memory about past U.S. military action and a conspiratorial worldview all support this strategy.

An Iranian regime well aware of its weaknesses knows how convulsive a war with Israel and America would be and how unwelcome it would be received by a restive populace already protesting a dysfunctional economy and increasing oppression. Many within the elite are surely angry at having fallen from the inner circles of power and wealth as the 84-year-old supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, engineers his succession.

A powerful Israeli response could include a preventive strike against Iran’s nuclear sites. In what may prove a miscalculation, Ayatollah Khamenei is not known to have given the green light to assemble a nuclear weapon. Why strike Iran hard and leave its atomic ambitions undamaged? Washington will surely want to reduce the consequences in the region from such an attack. To do that, the White House will need to make Tehran understand that U.S. forces will immediately intercede if Iran then tries to escalate.

To be sure, Israel and America may both be at fault for giving Ayatollah Khamenei the impression that they had no appetite for escalation. Tehran has abetted Islamic militants who have killed a lot of Israelis and Americans while seeming to be immune from a direct attack. The occasional Israeli and American assassination of Iranian military men on foreign soil, or in Iran without fanfare, actually highlighted a reluctance to confront Iran more directly.

And yet the Islamic Republic remains careful not to get into direct conflict with America. Senior clergy members and the commanders in the Revolutionary Guards are all old enough to remember that the U.S. Navy inflicted severe damage on the Iranian Navy in 1988 in retaliation for the mining of an American warship. It was one of the biggest U.S. naval operations since World War II. The United States said the downing in 1988 of Iran Air flight 655 by the Navy warship Vincennes was an accident, but Tehran believed it was deliberate and an indication that Washington was ready to intervene in the war with Iraq. It was thought to be a factor in helping to convince Iran to end the conflict. Senior Revolutionary Guardsmen, angry at Israel for the killing of senior commanders on April 1 in a strike in Syria, may doubt Washington’s volition, but they have no doubts about American military hardware.

Sometimes conspiracy-mindedness, instead of interfering with clear thinking, can be useful to an adversary. It is a conceit of the Iranian Islamist elite that Jews manipulate Americans into wars not of their choosing. Ayatollah Khamenei has articulated this idea : “The Western powers are a mafia,” he said in 2022. “At the top of this mafia stand the prominent Zionist merchants, and the politicians obey them. The U.S. is their showcase, and they’re spread out everywhere.”

It is time for Washington to feed this conspiratorial thinking. The United States should augment its presence in the Gulf, dispatch admirals and spy chiefs to Israel and undertake joint Israeli-U.S. military exercises that highlight long-range bombing runs. With its darkest conspiracies reconfirmed, Iran’s elite will search for a way out — even if Israel decides on a frontal assault.

The United States has often favored containment and de-escalation with Iran. When Iran’s proxies killed three American service members in Jordan on Jan. 28, Washington didn’t hold Tehran directly responsible. While attacking the proxies, the White House conveyed to Tehran its non-escalatory intentions. It had even renewed a sanctions waiver granting Iran access to $10 billion held in escrow by Oman for Iraqi electricity purchases.

The strategy has worked. Ayatollah Khamenei clamped down on his surrogates, who desisted from further attack on Americans. But the supreme leader can turn that spigot back on at any time.

Today, the problem with Washington distancing itself from Jerusalem, as it has over the large-scale civilian deaths and humanitarian suffering in the Gaza war, is that it will not defuse a crisis that puts Iran and Israel in direct confrontation. And Ayatollah Khamenei will not allow himself to be seen as backing down to Jews — particularly if they are unmoored from superior American power.

For the United States, standing by Israel would allow Ayatollah Khamenei another path, a way to back down without losing face. There is a precedent for such a retreat. Again, the Iran-Iraq war is instructive. The founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini, opted for an armistice with Iraq, a country he had long denigrated, because of the sheer exhaustion of his nation and the fear that the war could simply not be won. The implicit threat of American involvement was a big factor in this decision.

Now only the United States can again prompt similar foreboding in Tehran about the intercession of an indomitable force. For years Washington has been doing, more or less, just the opposite.

Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former Iranian targets officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, is a resident scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Ray Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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