The United States Military Academy is regarded as the premier leadership training program in the United States. Training officers for the Army is no small task, yet the Academy goes above and beyond, which shows through on a national scale. What many forget, however, is that these leaders are also some of the most academically gifted students from across the nation. Not only are these young men and women leaders, they are also intelligent. The reason why I wish to attend the US Military Academy is quite simple: I want to be an intelligent leader. 

As a high school student, I have developed a drive for leadership, and through practice, gained additional raw ability. Admission as a cadet, and the subsequent training to become an Army officer would mold this ability, and utilize it at a level which is unparalleled on the world stage. West Point transforms aptitude into a versatile skillset. I also strive towards understanding of concepts and consequences. Again and again, the USMA ranks among the most elite schools of learning across the country, proving that the education gained is truly full circle. Leadership without knowledge will lead to uninformed decisions, and potentially disastrous consequences. Knowledge without leadership will lack motivation and purpose. Combination of the two produces a formidable army with purpose and power. My goal is to become a part of that force.

The other question to answer, is why the military? The full reason is actually two parts. To begin, I have grown up with an appreciation for service. My father is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and my grandfather served as an airborne paratrooper in the early 1960s. This legacy of service in my family has cultured both pride for our country and respect for those who serve her have always been present in my life. Looking up to those selfless men and women has always motivated me, and I cannot pass by the opportunity to join their ranks. The second facet of my answer is just that I feel that it is my duty. Each citizen of our country has the responsibility to give back. Through my own experience, I believe that the most beneficial way for me to pay my respect to the country I live in is through service. My desire is to protect this country, and all that she stands for—for my generation, and the generations to come.