Why did you join Army ROTC? And what are your plans for your Army career?
After high school, I was looking to enlist in the military but didn’t know which branch to join. I also knew I wanted to go to college at Southeastern. I was taking a tour with my parents during orientation when I found this ROTC program. After talking to the cadre and a cadet, I decided to take the class to see if I would enjoy it and help me figure out which branch to join.
And I think we all know what I decided after that.
With the help of the cadre and my fellow battle buddies, I was able to enlist in the Louisiana Army National Guard, complete basic training and AIT, and then return to SLU ROTC and become the cadet I am today!
I plan on commissioning as an Army officer and serving for twenty or more year. As of now, I’m interested in pursuing military intelligence and/or the adjutant general branch.
As a future officer, I plan to become a leader and mentor whom others can look up to and follow. I plan to listen to my soldiers’ feedback and learn from those who are more experienced than me. I enjoy learning and knowing that I’m making a difference in someone’s life. I want to be the kind of leader who always puts their soldiers first and is always there for them. I hope to be a leader that others are proud to serve with and under.
I can’t wait to teach, lead, and motivate those around me as an officer and leader.
What, or who, motivates you as a leader?
It has never just been one person who motivates me. Everyone around me has influenced me into becoming who I am. Among my family, friends, cadre, and battle buddies, all of them have shown me what it takes to be a leader.
Since I was a child, my parents have pushed me to help others and lead when necessary. I’ve witnessed how both bad and good leadership affects people and the overall morale, which is why my ultimate goal is to improve my leadership and become a better leader than those before me.
I want to strive for more and be like the leaders I look up to now.
How do you manage ROTC and your other college commitments?
I have a lot of commitments inside and outside of ROTC. I am actively involved in six other campus clubs/programs besides ROTC, two of which I am on the executive board. Being active on campus can make managing them all difficult at times. So, in order for me to manage my grades, homework, commitments, and responsibilities, I have to plan out what I do each week or month and take it a day at a time. I was raised to always give my everything and anything in what I did and do. I was never allowed to quit, and this is something that I still hold dear to me because if I can start it, I know I can finish it.
Why did you Decide to Lead?
I lead because I know I can help others. I feel called to help others and wholeheartedly believe in leaving no one behind. I lead so that others can grow and learn from my mistakes, as I have with my leaders and mentors.