College Essay
I started ROTC in my junior year but I wish I started in my freshman year. ROTC is challenging but worth it. I was given so many opportunities to do things I have never done before. Like community service, talking to a big crowd, leading people older/younger than me and etc. At first I was scared because I have never done these things before and I haven’t had opportunities to use my leadership skills. The first community service event I have done was a drill meet.
A drill meet is an event where 12 to 16 schools come to compete for trophies and placement in a bigger competition. The schools will compete in multiple competitions that will merge into one big score for whoever won. There is uniform inspection, drill performance, physical competition, and knowledge competition. I was responsible for setting up the drill deck (where the students will do their drill) and helping out with inspection. As we were waiting, a couple of cadets and I were speaking with the drill instructor that was judging the schools uniforms. I was very nervous because they were currently in the military and had the air of don't mess with me atmosphere.
The first school to arrive got in formation and we got ready to inspect them. I was with a Lieutenant and we were inspecting each cadet indivivility. This competition took up the whole day and I was tired. At first I didn’t understand why they spent the schools spent a whole day competing continuously. After they were inspected, they were silently cheering, pumping their fists and chanting. Encouraging their fellow cadets who got a bad inspection grade. Then I got it they weren’t focus on the pain or the mistakes, they were having fun and competing for their school. I wanted to be like them, encouraging others and making an effort to be apart of something big.
At the end of the day, I was dead tired and happy that I volunteer for this drill meet. ROTC gave me opportunities to do so many things that I have never done before and I was thankful. Before I got into ROTC, all I ever done was go to school and try to pass all of my classes. I’m now a leader and very creative individual from all of my experiences.
