I believe my background experiences will enhance the Marine Corps because they

have taught me how to handle both physical and psychological pressure, as well as the
importance of family and brotherhood. Because my school career forced me to balance
multiple subjects at once, I have learned to think critically and problem solve quickly. In
addition, my athletic career taught me how to overcome the mental and physical strains
of prolonged physical exertion. Finally, the experiences with my family and various other
organizations have given me a good background understanding of the fraternity of the
Marine Corps.
My entire life I have gone to the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland.
The curriculum at the school has always been a step up from most other; it always
challenged you with longer and more complex work as you. The school was a sink or
swim environment, no one was going to hold your hand or do your work for you. Going
through school in this setting enabled me to handle the pressures of having multiple
issues on my plate at once and use the time I have efficiently. I believe these skills will
benefit the Marine Corps greatly because as an officer I will be forced to think on my feet
in high pressure situations.
Similarly to my academic career, my athletic experiences have taught me how to
handle pressure which would enhance the Marine Corps. I have always played sports that
placed a premium on physical fitness, whether that was football, lacrosse, or wrestling.
The most important thing I leaned from these sports is how to think while under physical
and mental strains. My couches engrained upon me and my teammates how to throw a
pass or break down and tackle when it’s the fourth quarter and your exhausted or you
can’t hear your teammates over the crowd. I believe the ability to handle these stresses
could again translate into the Marine Corps. While I realize the stresses of being in
combat and the stresses of playing in a game are mile apart, I believe the skills I have
learned from competing so far in my life will become a foundation for those I learn in the
Marine Corps.
Finally, my experiences with my family and other groups will help me be a
benefit to the Marine Corps. I am one of four children so I understand very well the
importance of family as a system of support. At the same time, my involvement with
various teams and organizations such as the Volunteer Fire Department has taught me the
value of counting on and playing for the guy next to you, and the importance of respect
for those above you. I believe with these experiences under my belt I will be able to
assimilate into the culture of the Marine Corps and help keep the traditions alive,
assuming I am able to earn the title of United States Marine.
Although my experiences have in no way totally prepared me for life in the
Marine Corps, I believe that the skills I have learned so far in life will enable me to
benefit the Marine Corps by making me a better officer.