What I wish I would have known...

Alright. I'm headed into my last semester of ROTC. I've made it through the selection processes, and just need to keep my grades up and graduate. I'm excited for a new POC job next semester, especially because I'll be able to work with new GMC cadets.

As I come to the end of my ROTC experience, I look back and wonder what I might have done differently.

The famous question: "If you could start over, what do you wish you would have known?"

Well, let's see...

First, ROTC will suck you in. Don't forget about your family. We've all heard old Colonels and Generals talk about the importance of balancing life, etc. But guess what--it starts immediately. ROTC isn't the military--I get that. But it can get pretty demanding, especially in a large Detachment. When you start to commit your time and energy to it--which you should--you'll find it taking over. Remember to say "no" sometimes.

Something personal: My wife recently expressed some concern to me through a letter. She described her worry that I was spending too much time in school and ROTC, and not enough time with her. Whoa. Reality check. Big time. I've since tried harder to dedicate time to her. It's not always easy. But don't get caught in the "I'm-doing-this-for-you" trap. If you're like me, excelling in school and ROTC is what I do best, and what I find myself wanting to do. Sometimes it takes more self-discipline to come home and simply turn that stuff off, focus on your wife, and give yourself to her. Time is everything. With the little time you do have--don't waste it playing video games and watching TV. Take your spouse out on a date.

Next, BE YOURSELF. I remember feeling SO worried as a GMC that I might not make it to FT. I worked so hard, and there was a season of "finding myself." What I mean is that I had to discover that I would be most successful by simply being myself. Don't let others tell you how to be. Don't "play the game," as it's so often called. Just be who you are, because you're better than anyone else at it.

Something specific: There is power in preparation. As you prepare for FT, or any other stressful test, understand that you will do great if you are prepared. Don't worry about the yelling, the stress, etc--as long as you know your stuff. The best FT advice is to know the Field Training Manual cold, and know how to march. If you are confident in these two things, it won't matter when people yell at you, put stress on you, etc. You'll do great, because your training and preparation will take over.

There are my few thoughts for the day.

Cheers.

Advice to a brand new cadet

One of my friends recently told me that he is interested in ROTC because he wants to be a pilot. He obviously had an array of questions and doubts about the program, the military, and how to be successful. We had several great conversations, and I hope I was able to point him in the right direction.

Here are some of the main points from our discussion:

Set yourself up for success

What do I mean by "set yourself up for success?" Put plainly, you need to set up your life so that you can properly focus on the things that will get you that pilot slot (or whatever else you want). Going to college is hard enough as it is, and many forces will pull you in a million directions. Being "spread too thin"--something I've seen happen to many cadets--will likely lead to failure. You must have your life in order so that you can adequately focus on family, school, and ROTC.

Finances. Good ol' money. Most of us, while in college, are poor. Figure out what you need to do (save for awhile, get help from family, live with parents, government loans) to allow yourself to focus on ROTC. I can't tell you how many cadets have failed to be successful because they are working full time while in school. Maybe you're thinking, What choice do I have--I have to work to survive. While this is often true, you must find a way to focus on ROTC. Remember, ROTC is your avenue to getting your dream job. If you have to work full time, you're going to have a very difficult time focusing on ROTC. In my opinion, it is better to take out a few student loans to allow yourself to be very successful in school and ROTC, because those are the things that will help you succeed for the rest of your life! Not to mention, if you work hard enough and keep your grades up, there is a very good chance that you'll get a scholarship. ROTC is time-intensive. 

Get situated. Find an apartment close to school. If you need a job, get one on campus. Centralize your life around the campus area. Minimize travel times. Set up your schedule in an efficient way. Set up your life so that school and ROTC are accessible. 

Family. If you are married, make sure your spouse is committed to the program. The Air Force is a family affair. You won't get through it on your own, and you need to be careful to not marginalize your family. If you're not married, dating and social activities are important. Make sure you make time for them.

The bottom line is this: Set yourself up for success. 

A Balancing Act

Time management.

You'll hear those words many times in your ROTC career. Much of your success will depend on your ability to manage your time.

Let's be honest. ROTC takes a lot of your time. You'll have regular classes, PT, Leadership Lab, AAS, Drill Team, Color Guard, Recruiting, fundraising, socials, dining events, and more! Not to mention--you're a full-time student. What about your social life? Some of you have wives or husbands, and even children! 

How do you manage all of that?

To be honest, I have not always been the best at managing my time in regards to my family. My wife has had a rough time with the amount of time I have dedicated to my academics and ROTC. I accomplished my goals in terms of ROTC--I got an ENJJPT slot--but did I spend too much time in ROTC? I don't necessarily know the answer to that question, but I do know this: You need to figure out exactly what your priorities are, and your family should be at the top of your list. 

I would propose the following priority list:

1. Family

2. Religion

3. Academics

4. ROTC

5. Job

Social life, partying, xbox, and other forms of entertainment come last. It may seem strange that--in a blog dedicated to success in ROTC--I've placed ROTC as number 4 on the priority list. Trust me, it hasn't always felt that way in terms of time allocation. However, the truth is, Family, Religion, and Academics must come first for obvious reasons. 

Figure out your priorities early on. This will help you stay balanced and focused on what really matters

A little motivation...

For those of you who want to be pilots, I came across this video over the weekend:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJbZrHIS7J4&app=desktop

It's a Thunderbird cockpit montage.

It's always important to remember why you are joining ROTC. Do whatever you need to to remind yourself about what it is you're fighting for. Your religion, family, freedom, etc. And of course, to fly.

That's where it all started for me. I wanted to fly.

It's still about flying for me. I can't wait to get started on my training. But, a lot has changed for me. My vision includes so much more at this point in my life.

The bottom line is--each of you need to have a personal vision. The sooner you can define your why, the sooner you'll start succeeding beyond anything you imagined. Don't just define it mentally. Actually write it down. You'll find that your motivation will increase dramatically as you realize exactly what you're fighting for.

And don't stop there. Throughout your ROTC experience, help others find their vision. When you become a POC, reach down and pull the GMC along with you. Help them see their potential. Guide them to discover their personal vision. This will help you as a leader, and it will help them tremendously.

"Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming."

- Dallin H. Oaks

You will develop desires as you define a clear vision for yourself.

The Commander's Ranking

Before I get into the ways to improve your commander's ranking, I want to give some general advice.

Avoid Negativity

If you haven't already, at some point you'll hear people talk about "playing the game." Unfortunately, many people think to do well in ROTC, you have to "play the game." That is, you have to do something that you normally wouldn't do--or worse--become someone that you normally wouldn't be. Sucking up and brown nosing are often talked about as the only way to make it to the top. Let me tell you--this is NOT true.

I've found that a lot of negativity exists about ROTC. It is my belief that this type of negativity and criticism exists everywhere, in any organization. It's a disease. You must avoid this kind of mindset at all costs. Truly, ROTC is what you make of it. You will get out what you put in.

Personally, I believe in the ROTC program. I believe it is a great training program that can prepare you to lead in the Air Force.

So what does this have to do with the Commander's Ranking?

From the beginning of your ROTC career, you will hear discussion about "Commander's Ranking." Your commander's ranking refers to the rank among your AS class. Typically it is discussed in terms of which third you fall into. For example, if you were ranked 5th in a class of 12, you would fall in the middle third. While most commander's have a systematic way in which they rank cadets, this ranking is completely up to the commander.

So, why does it matter where you get ranked? Your commander's ranking is part of your Order of Merit. When you compete for a Field-Training slot, it is worth a whopping 50 percent of your score. Needless to say, it is extremely important. On the chart to the right, it is represented by the the large blue piece.

When you go to compete for a pilot slot, or any rated position, the commander's ranking is worth less--but still a lot; 20 percent, in fact. Again, this is represented by the blue section to the right.

Overall, your Commander's Ranking is very important. It makes up a large portion of your Order of Merit which--quite literally--determines if you get the job you want.  

So how do I get a good Commander's Ranking?

Here are some general guidelines to improving your CC ranking: 

1. Don't suck-up, or brown-nose--Officers and POC will see right through you

2. Get involved as much as possible (Drill Team, Color Guard, Arnold Air Society, socials, fund raisers, etc.)

3. Get good grades, and good PFA scores

4. Be genuinely concerned about the success of others

5. Most importantly--BE YOURSELF

I want to stress number 5 above: Be Yourself. Truly, there is nothing worse you can do than attempt to be somebody you're not. You'll find many cadets that try to put on a persona that they believe will impress the cadre. This is plain stupid. You have talents and abilities that nobody else has. And you cannot maintain a fake identity. You are the best in the world at being you. Yes, you are a student of leadership, and you must strive to improve daily. However, don't pretend to be someone you are not. This is the worst thing you can do.

Overall, your Commander's Ranking will take care of itself if you are striving to be yourself. Be humble, teachable, and don't ever pass up a good opportunity to shut up and listen. Just be steady, consistent, and not afraid to get out of your comfort zone. 

ENJJPT

What is ENJJPT?

Euro Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT--pronounced "en-jept") is an undergraduate pilot training program, located in Sheppard AFB, Texas. Its name describes its fundamental purpose. It is, historically, a jet pilot training program--run and operated by NATO. Traditionally, ENJJPT has been a fighter pilot training program. However, recently heavy airplanes have been assigned as well.

What are the benefits of ENJJPT?

While often debated, the benefits of ENJJPT are many. They include, but are not limited to the following:

• Because ENJJPT is operated by NATO, both students and instructors / cadre will come from the NATO participating countries. Right from the start, you will experience working, coordinating, and training with pilots from NATO countries--a valuable skill for future AF leadership.
• Since ENJJPT is traditionally a jet fighter training program, you are guaranteed to move on from the T-6 Texan II to the T-38 Talon. In a regular undergraduate pilot training (UPT) program, you will have to compete for a T-38. Those who don't track to the T-38 will end up going to the T-1, and eventually, into a heavy (C130, C5, KC10, etc.) airplane. Many argue that the guaranteed T-38 is the greatest advantage of going to ENJJPT. Flying a T-38 means your chances of getting a fighter or bomber are much higher.

Students at ENJJPT are guaranteed to move on to the T-38, increasing
the probability of a fighter, and decreasing the pressure during the T-6 phase.

So, why doesn't everyone go to ENJJPT?

Here's the catch. As you can imagine, getting into ENJJPT is very competitive. Based on the Order of Merit (left), you must first get through the Rated Board, and be selected for pilot training. This is often referred to as "getting your pilot slot." This board is usually held in February/March, and your application must be completed by January 1st (approximate--talk to your Detachment NCO's for exact deadlines). Once the Air Force has released the results of the board, you will find out if you got your pilot slot. 

Then, usually in September of the same year, the ENJJPT board is held. The top cadets, from those who got a pilot slot, are selected for ENJJPT. I don't know the exact numbers, but usually 50-60 cadets are chosen for ENJJPT each year. To give you an idea of the competitiveness, there have been around 500-600 pilot slots awarded each year for the last several years. This means that roughly 10% of the pilot selectees will get to go to ENJJPT. 

What can I do to make sure I get in to ENJJPT?

Next week, I will go into some detail about what you can do to increase your chances of getting into ENJJPT. The bottom line is this: maximize your Order of Merit. A lot of cadets don't realize how much control they have over their Order of Merit. My understanding is that the Air Force looks purely at the numbers--meaning, they don't spend time evaluating you as an individual. There is no entrance essay, nor is there any sort of personality considered. They simply compare the Order of Merits of every cadet who applies, and those at the top get in. 

Next week, I will go into more detail about what you can do to make sure you get in.

POSITIVE ROLE MODELS

Today I want to talk about the importance of positive role models.

Officers in the USAF are first and foremost leaders. It doesn't matter what you want to be in terms of your job, you must first learn to lead. When you join ROTC, you become a student of leadership.

In a recent study (http://www.ccl.org/leadership/pdf/research/LearningLeadershipMilitary.pdf), some senior military officers participated in a survey about their leadership development. They were asked which elements impacted their leadership learning most. What do you think was at the top of the list?

Here you can see that positive role models was first. Not only that, but negative role models was second.


In your ROTC career, you will quickly find yourself influenced by your leaders. Other GMC, POC, and your cadre will have a large impact in your development.


You will find yourself wanting to be like certain leaders; and others, you will want to forget. These positive and negative role models will impact you dramatically.

I'd like to talk about one such role model in my life. When I joined ROTC, I got involved with the rifle drill team. The drill team commander at the time was an outstanding POC cadet. He quickly became a role model. His took his role as a POC seriously, and treated us with respect. He knew what he wanted, and was striving to be the best that he could. He took time to mentor me, provide me with feedback, and help me find success. He helped me find my personal vision. I could tell that he actually cared about my success. His example was very impactful in my development. I wanted to be just like this guy.

This 2d LT recently graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) and is on his way to accomplishing his dreams. I look to him often as an example.

When you start ROTC, find a positive role model; a mentor who can show you how to succeed. Learn all you can. When you become a POC, become a positive role model. Don't let yourself be the negative role model.

The PFA - Pushing Past Your Limits

The physical fitness assessment accounts for 15 percent of your Order of Merit.

FIFTEEN PERCENT!

If you were to take a test in a class worth 15 percent of your final grade--would you want to do well? Of course you would. You would want to do perfectly well.

The PFA consists of 1 minute of pushups, 1 minute of sit ups, and a 1 1/2 mile run. Also, your abdominal circumference is measured. You are given points in each category, and the total is computed out of 100.

In ROTC, you will take this test once a semester.

For some cadets, the PFA is very daunting. For others, it is easy to get 100. Your fitness level will determine how easily you perform on this test. You need to keep in mind that the Air Force--and the military in general--demands a lifestyle of fitness. If you come from a background of poor health habits, now is the time to change.

Most detachments meet twice a week to conduct physical training for one hour. Guess what--this is not nearly enough exercise to get a perfect score on the PFA. Heck, working out twice a week is not nearly enough exercise to be healthy! If you really want to excel, you need to exercise on your own, daily. At least, you need to do 4 to 5 times a week.

I could spend hours talking about different training methods. Some cadets like the gym; others, running. Some do Crossfit, or triathlons. And some simply like to run. It matters a lot less what you do, as long as you are doing something every day. Again, you need to understand that you are joining an organization where being fit is a way of life. If you are determined to do well, you will find the right training tools. Look to those who are consistently succeeding, find out what they do, and build your own active lifestyle.

And lastly, remember that a military job will require a lot of you. It will push you mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Being able to take your body to a threshold of discomfort will pay huge dividends when it really counts. Someone's life may depend on your ability to push through the stress. In my experience, the PFA is more of a mental toughness test than an actual physical test. Learn to find your limits, and then--blow past them.



(below is a link to the PFA score charts)

http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110804-054.pdf

The First Milestone: Getting Into FT

Once you've decided that the Air Force is your path, there's something you need to understand very well. That is, your main short-term objective is to get selected to go to Field Training (FT). You will compete during your Sophomore (AS 200 / 250) for a FT slot, and your competitiveness is determined by your Order of Merit, shown here:

The POC Selection Process (PSP) determines your eligibility based on your Order of Merit. Put plainly, if you don't do your best to maximize the pieces of this pie, you may not make it FT, and therefore will not be able to continue towards a commission. 

Let's talk about the Order of Merit criteria. 

First, SAT-E refers to your best score from either the SAT, ACT, or AFOQT (Air Force Officer Qualifying Test) converted to an SAT-Equivalent score. This is 15 percent of your Order of Merit. If you did well on your ACT or SAT in high school, don't worry too much about this category. If you were like me, however, you will want to improve your score! 

That's where the AFOQT comes into play. 

The AFOQT is a standardized test that you will have to take before the end of December during your AS200 year. There are several study materials out there to help you do well on the AFOQT. I bought a few books to study from; they had actual practice tests in them, which prepared me well. 

KEEP IN MIND: you are only allowed to take this test twice, and there must be six months between each time you take it. What does this mean? Well--if you are absolutely banking on this test, make sure you give yourself enough time to retake it, if the need arises. PSP applications are submitted in January during your AS200 (Sophomore) year--so as an easy rule--just make sure you take it before JULY the previous summer. Again, this is only if you believe you might need two chances. Otherwise, just get the test done before January.

Next, comes GPA. I wrote an entire post on this already. Bottom line: GPA is very important. Get straight A's. Why not? You have complete control over your GPA. 

Now for the Fitness category. This refers to your Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA). I will write about this in detail next week, but for now--you want to do your very best on the PFA. It consists of a 1.5m run, 1 min pushups, and 1 min sit-ups. In my experience, those who set their mind to it, and are determined, can get a perfect 100. Again, with few exceptions, you have complete control over this, so--why not max it?

Last, we have your Commander's Ranking. This refers to where you are ranked among your peers, as determined by your Detachment Commander. The score you receive depends on the number of people in your class. So, for example, a cadet ranked 2/25 may do just as well as a cadet ranked 1/5. I'm out of time for today, so I will also discuss this in more detail in another post. For now, here are two import things to remember about Commander's Ranking:

1. Be yourself - don't fall into the trap of trying to be somebody you're not. The most successful cadets are those that learn to lead how they lead. You each have your own personality. Don't try to imitate someone else just because you think the Commander likes that type of person. I promise you--by striving to be the best version of YOU, you will become a much better leader. 

2. Do well in the other areas, and you'll likely do well in Commander's Ranking - If you are doing well in the areas of GPA, Fitness, and AFOQT, you will likely be doing just fine in your Commander's Ranking. 

3. Get involved - At my detachment, Honor Guard was a huge deal. I got on the Drill Team, and dedicated a lot of time to it. Arnold Air Society, Cadet Choir, Color Guard, and other auxiliary organizations are great ways to increase your visibility. You want to make sure you are known. If you don't put yourself out there--even though it may be a daunting task--you will likely get a low CC Ranking. Get out of your comfort zone! It is ok to make mistakes in ROTC.

The Basics: The Timeline of AFROTC

Ok, so let's go over some basics:

Air Force ROTC is typically a three- or four-year program, depending on how many years you have until graduation. Some majors require five years, and cadets can go into "extended status" for their final year of college. For most of you, it will be the full four years. The following chart shows essentially how AFROTC works:

During your freshman and sophomore years, you will be part of the General Military Course (GMC). After your sophomore year, you will attend Field Training (FT) during the summer. FT is a 3-4 week training that tests your ability to lead, ultimately determining whether you can move on to the Professional Officer Course (POC). As a POC cadet, you assume much more responsibility. In fact, ROTC is basically a cadet-run program, designed to be a sort of microcosm of active duty. The GMC cadets are trained principally by the POC cadets.

This structure gives cadets a chance to learn--among other things--military discipline, order, and proactivity as a GMC, followed by mentorship, effective training skills, and leadership as a POC. 

Despite much criticism, I truly believe in the ROTC program. I have grown immensely as I've gone through it. If you put your heart into it, you will be amazed at the person you will become. You will become a true student of leadership--and as a future officer, that must be your main objective. 

In the next post, I will talk about how to be a successful GMC. I'll go into more details about your first big milestone: getting selected for Field Training. 

Does my GPA matter?

The answer is a resounding YES--GPA does matter.

Let's talk about GPA.

As many of you know, college is NOT high school. Even though every university is very unique, one thing seems to be similar across the board. That is, to succeed academically in college, you must be diligent, dedicated, and consistent.

All too often new freshmen begin their college experience with a backwards set of priorities. Parties, staying up late, dating, and fun seem to dominate their schedules. As an AFRTOC cadet, you must not fall into this trap. I repeat--you must not fall into this trap. Your GPA is vitally important for your success.

The chart here shows the criteria that make up your rank  "Order of Merit," as it relates to Field
Training Selection. If you aren't sure what Field Training is, I will discuss that in my next post. Essentially, your performance in these elements determine your competitiveness. We will discuss each piece of the pie later--for now, let's look at GPA.

Your GPA makes up 20% of your Order of Merit. It is the second largest piece of the pie, after Commander's Ranking (CC Rank). Quite frankly, your GPA matters a lot.

But it's not just the fact that it is a whopping 20%. Rather, it is important to note that GPA is one of the only pieces over which you have complete control. You determine your GPA. It is my belief that your GPA is a function of time and effort. When you begin a new semester, you go to class and your professors tell you what is expected, when the assignments will be do, etc. If you want it bad enough, you CAN get a 4.0. And I will tell you--there is a very strong correlation between ROTC success (meaning, you get the job you want), and academic success. Those who succeed in school are likely individuals possessing the qualities that will lead to success in other areas of life; e.g., dedication, work ethic, focus, mental toughness, etc.

The AFRTOC Field Training selection is quite literally a "rack and stack" of Order of Merit scores. In other words, after the pieces of the pie are calculated, your score (out of 100) is put next to all the other cadets in the nation competing in your graduating timeline, and then those above the cutoff are selected for Field Training (FT). Those below the cutoff are not selected.

It is imperative that you control the things that you can control. GPA is one of those things. Your GPA will directly affect your success in getting the job you want. For example, when you compete for a "pilot slot," the Order of Merit changes slightly, as follows:

I will discuss this in a later post, so don't get confused about the PCSM, AFOQT, etc. But notice that GPA is still 10% of your Order of Merit.

Bottom line: don't let your GPA fall. Your main job in school is to graduate.

It All Starts With Your Personal Vision

In my opinion, the most important thing you need to know before going into ROTC is WHY you are doing it. WHY do you want to be in the Air Force?

1. Understand your personal why--your personal vision.

• In my experience, success comes to those who are sure. Cadets who understand why they are in ROTC seem to do better than those who aren't quite sure. This seems logical, but it is often undervalued. In ROTC--and in all aspects of life--you will be asked to do many difficult things. Not only that, but it is a highly competitive environment. Your personal vision will become the source of your drive; it will become the source of your desire and will power to push through the difficult tasks. It all starts with your personal vision. 
• As you begin ROTC, start by sitting down and writing out your vision. Here is one version of my personal vision:

To explain what inspired me to make the choice to become a leader in the USAF, I will describe what I refer to as my “personal vision.” This is synonymous with my “personal why,” because it answers questions such as: “Why do I want to be an officer in the Air Force?” and “Why do I choose to do hard things?” This vision has changed and developed as I have gone through the AFROTC program. It has become sacred to me, as it is the source of my desire, determination, and will power to succeed.        

First, my vision involves flying. I often picture in my mind’s eye, in vivid detail, the following: putting on the flight and G-suit, walking out to the flight line,  climbing up the ladder into a powerful jet, pulling on my helmet, taxiing that jet out to the runway, lining up on the center line, pushing the throttle forward as I’m forced into my seat, reaching that critical rotation speed, pulling back on the stick, and then… the world disappears in a blur behind me as I climb high through the clouds, suddenly breaking through to a brilliant blue sky. I have imagined that exhilarating experience for as long as I can remember. This inspires me to become a USAF leader.            

Flying is only the top layer of my vision, however. Next, my “why” is encapsulated with self-improvement, leadership, and heritage. Without a doubt in my mind, I understood that by choosing to become a leader in the USAF, I would become the very best version of myself that I could possibly become. This is a challenging career path and I wouldn’t want it any other way. With eight younger siblings, I understood the importance of leadership at an early age. This path allows me to hone my leadership skills. My circle of influence will be much greater in the USAF than it would otherwise have been. The Air Force has a very large impact on the world. This means that I will be able to help more people than perhaps in any other career. And finally, when I consider the men and women who gave their lives for my freedom, I am always humbled that I get to wear the same uniform. It is a sacred privilege and duty to continue our proud heritage. This inspires me to become a leader in the USAF.          

Lastly, my vision includes my family and my religion. Knowing that there are people on this earth who would destroy my family and my freedom motivates me beyond anything else to not only become a leader in the USAF, but to be my very best. This job will allow me to protect my family and our liberty. It allows me to influence the world for good. And truly, that is what it is all about for me: when I am finished with my career, I want this world to be a better place for my family and for our great nation.

Figure out why you want to be in ROTC. And then, commit. Don't look back. This is your future, and your dream, so work hard for it. When you get up in the morning, look in the mirror and remember your vision. Then go, and work to realize that vision. 

September 11th - A Reflection

September 11, 2001.

I'll never forget.

I was thirteen years old, in eighth grade, and was as careless as anybody else. That morning, I remember a sudden stir passed through the school, like an ever-increasing wave of anxiety. What was going on, I thought. Something must be wrong. My teacher picked up the phone, and after a short pause, hung up. She went directly to the television set and turned it on. The North Tower stood, surrounded by clouds of smoke. "An airplane has crashed into the World Trade Center."

9:03 AM

Suddenly, something happened. The murmurs in the classroom got quiet. " ... another airplane has hit the World Trade Center. ... this has to be deliberate."

That day changed my life. I'll never forget how I felt as I walked home, anxious to feel the comforting presence of my mom. We watched the news all day. She cried. I watched. I felt. The world was suddenly serious.

That day, I realized that there are people -- human beings -- who wanted to destroy me, my family, my country, my religion, and everything I care about. Terrorists, they're called. And the worst part is that they truly believe what they do is "righteous." They're as committed as we are.

Now, I wear the uniform as a defender of my Nation. September 11th set me on this path.

Next year, I will be going to Air Force Pilot Training, to learn how to kill terrorists. Do I want to kill? No. However, this nation needs men and women of moral integrity who are willing to do what needs to be done to protect our freedom. My family, my country, and my religion are so important to me that I will kill to protect them. And I will be good at it. This is my calling.