Service Academy Research Paper

America was founded on, and has been continuously defined by, extraordinary leaders. Without the tireless guidance and dedication of generations of these men and women, our country would never have grown into the renowned nation it is today. The ideals and values that these leaders embodied, and what our country has accomplished under their direction, has inspired me; I long to someday advance and defend this nation’s greatness through my leadership. This desire, paired with my passion for the military, is what has, and continues to, motivate me to attend a service academy. Furthermore, I wish to reciprocate the investment this country has made in me. Our country has provided me with access to exceptional opportunities, education, and freedoms;
Early in life, my family instilled in me exceptional integrity and values, and emphasized the importance of respect and hard work. Passed to me through a strict upbringing, these values and personal qualities have given me a steadfast foundation upon which to further develop myself as both a man and a leader. In preparation for an appointment, I have pushed myself greatly on all fronts. Academically, I have consistently pursued the most challenging opportunities available to me, and have excelled in doing so, all while maintaining the responsibilities of year-round sports, a job, youth group, and clubs. As team captain of two sports, president of the Beta Club, and a youth leader in my church, my time is often spread thin between the duties of each, but I feel that I have flourished in these positions, and feel a natural calling for leadership. Physically, I have trained hard to meet and exceed the standards set forth by the academies, and have participated in some of the toughest and most mentally demanding sports available at my school. I have pushed myself not only to prepare for a service academy, but for my subsequent life in the service; as I hope to have demonstrated, I am extremely passionate about serving and protecting my nation, and will pursue this pathway regardless of my acceptance into a service academy. Although I still have much to learn, I am confident that I am qualified to meet and maintain the high standards for which the service academies are