Personal Narrative: Joining The Navy
I joined the Navy after the terrorist attacks on September 11th. I had never felt what I now know to be patriotism until that day. I remember thinking to myself that this was my generations call to arms, and that if I did not enlist, that I would live with regret for the rest of my life. It was my generations turn to protect what so many braver than we had paid the ultimate sacrifice; although this would change far too soon. It did not take long to realize that I was not alone in this way of thinking. When I got Bootcamp, the majority of recruits were there for the same reason; hundreds of young men and women who were ready to sacrifice for the greater good, who were ready to put something before themselves.
Ultimately, the decision to
join the military was the defining moment of the life, and I owe all that I am to the United States Navy. Being a member of an organization as prestigious as the US Navy, you must hold yourself to a higher standard. You are conditioned to pay attention to detail, taught to focus on quality and excellence, to understand the power of teamwork, and that anything of value or worth is borne of perseverance and resiliency. It can also be said that strong work ethics are made spending 16 hours a day on the fantail of a minesweeper. This perseverance, resiliency, and work ethic has been the source of all that I have accomplished both in and out of the Navy.
The most important lesson that I learned during my service, as cliché as this may sound coming from a Sailor, is the fact that ‘we are all in the same boat’. However, this lesson expands unto several others which have shaped the person I am today; be responsible and accountable for your actions, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome by putting in the requisite amount of hard work, how to make something out of nothing, I don’t always have the right answers, respect the opinion of others, the culture of teamwork, the importance of trust, and the power of dedication. Although I have been out of the Navy for six years now, the lessons I learned will serving in the fleet have guided my path, shining a perpetual light on the importance of my service.
Ultimately, the decision to
join the military was the defining moment of the life, and I owe all that I am to the United States Navy. Being a member of an organization as prestigious as the US Navy, you must hold yourself to a higher standard. You are conditioned to pay attention to detail, taught to focus on quality and excellence, to understand the power of teamwork, and that anything of value or worth is borne of perseverance and resiliency. It can also be said that strong work ethics are made spending 16 hours a day on the fantail of a minesweeper. This perseverance, resiliency, and work ethic has been the source of all that I have accomplished both in and out of the Navy.
The most important lesson that I learned during my service, as cliché as this may sound coming from a Sailor, is the fact that ‘we are all in the same boat’. However, this lesson expands unto several others which have shaped the person I am today; be responsible and accountable for your actions, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome by putting in the requisite amount of hard work, how to make something out of nothing, I don’t always have the right answers, respect the opinion of others, the culture of teamwork, the importance of trust, and the power of dedication. Although I have been out of the Navy for six years now, the lessons I learned will serving in the fleet have guided my path, shining a perpetual light on the importance of my service.