Undergraduate / United States Naval Academy- Admission Essay on my interest in Military Service! [8]

I was twelve when I began doing karate. I wasn't a tough boy, and I reasoned that karate lessons would change that. In doing karate, I discovered something much greater than strength; discipline. Karate taught me that anything was possible with discipline, even laying on spears or breaking bricks with your hands. I developed a deep bond with my Shihan, my teacher, and I became his "assistant teacher." When he gave mini-lessons to the Young Marines, I discovered something else. I watched kids, older and younger than me, marching in a military fashion, drilling and sounding off, and saluting. I was awestruck by their discipline, and I signed up as quickly as I could. I was surprised by how hard the officers pushed their Young Marines. On our first day as recruits, we were subjected to the "authentic" boot camp experience by our officers, a couple of tough, retired Marines. We were yelled at, and berated. We got stinging nicknames. And I loved every minute of it because I knew that the men screaming at me were giving their time to shape us into better people, better citizens, and better team-members. I knew that it was the Marine Corps style to break us down as individuals, then to build us back up as a team, and I was committed. My two cousins are in the Marine Corps, so I feel a special connection to it, even in the form of the Young Marines. I worked hard and rose through the ranks, and I learned that I love to teach, and to lead. The Young Marines instilled in me a sense of pride, honor, and camaraderie that has made me a better person.