Introduction

[GnomeEze]

Please tell us in 250 words or fewer, why you think you want to be a Lieutenant of Infantry:

Since I firmly decided earlier this year that my path lies in the military, the only question in my mind has been how I wish to serve my country. As stated above, I toyed with entering the Navy, Marines, and Army, but, given my acceptance to an upstanding university, I decided to focus on becoming an officer in lieu of enlisting. Given my propensity for success in anything I devote myself to, I believe that I can and will become the best officer regardless of assigned branch. I wish to be an Infantry Lieutenant because I want to fight, plain and simple. I wish to lead men in to combat, because I rank myself among the best. I wouldn’t entrust the lives of my friends and fellow cadets to anyone besides myself, because I know no one else will succeed to the extent that I will. It matters not what I have done in my past, for as of now I stand as the smartest, most motivated, and most devoted cadet in my year. I want to branch Infantry because Infantry officers are the best. The Army needs thinking men in this day and age, and I will gladly step up to serve my country in the best way I can. I will do anything, short of violating the seven Army values, in order to get there. I constantly devote myself to this cause, and I will achieve it, which is why I wish to be an Infantry Lieutenant.

[GnomeEze]

Revision (I read my entry again this morning, and decided I came off too much like an arrogant punk; I apologize for doing this, I jumped the gun on the assignment):

Since I firmly decided earlier this year that my path lies in the military, the only question in my mind has been how I wish to serve my country. As stated above, I toyed with entering the Navy, Marines, and Army, but, given my acceptance to an upstanding university, I decided to focus on becoming an officer in lieu of enlisting. Given my propensity for success in anything I devote myself to, I believe that I can and will become the best officer that I can be regardless of assigned branch. I wish to lead men in to combat, because I am confident that I rank among the best. It matters not what I have done in my past, for as of now I stand as the smartest, most motivated, and most devoted cadet in my year. The Army needs thinking men, especially in this day and age, and I will gladly step up to serve my country in the best way that I can. I will do anything, short of violating the seven Army values, in order to get there. I constantly devote myself to this cause, and I will achieve it, which is why I wish to be an Infantry Lieutenant.

[Chiron]

Welcome!

[Jim]

Revision (I read my entry again this morning, and decided I came off too much like an arrogant punk; I apologize for doing this, I jumped the gun on the assignment):

Since I firmly decided earlier this year that my path lies in the military, the only question in my mind has been how I wish to serve my country. As stated above, I toyed with entering the Navy, Marines, and Army, but, given my acceptance to an upstanding university, I decided to focus on becoming an officer in lieu of enlisting. Given my propensity for success in anything I devote myself to, I believe that I can and will become the best officer that I can be regardless of assigned branch. I wish to lead men in to combat, because I am confident that I rank among the best. It matters not what I have done in my past, for as of now I stand as the smartest, most motivated, and most devoted cadet in my year. The Army needs thinking men, especially in this day and age, and I will gladly step up to serve my country in the best way that I can. I will do anything, short of violating the seven Army values, in order to get there. I constantly devote myself to this cause, and I will achieve it, which is why I wish to be an Infantry Lieutenant.

As I said in my first note, you have only one opportunity to make a strong initial impression. You were given plenty of time to complete the task, but you felt compelled to complete it quickly; and then realized that you wanted a re-do. In combat (and life), you often have just one chance, so make the best use of your resources (time is a resource). Having said that, both RIT and UR are fine schools; but simply having a degree does not qualify you to be an officer. You might be surprised at the number of enlisted Rangers have an undergraduate degree. Leadership skills must be developed -- but you have time to work on that. Finally, into is just one word.

[GnomeEze]

Ranger Jim:

Thank you for your words of wisdom. I will incorporate your advice in the development of my leadership skills over the next four years. I know I am not ready to be an officer or a soldier right now, which is also part of why I decided not to enlist. I only decided that I want to be a soldier a few months ago, and I definitely need time to uplift myself to officer standards, especially regarding leadership qualities and communication. I have only just begun weeding out bad habits from my more wild and undisciplined youth. Right now I am absorbing as much information as possible, focusing on being a good follower so that in two years (when I am an MS III) I will be well equipped to lead (though hopefully a little sooner than that).

[cams]

Revision (I read my entry again this morning, and decided I came off too much like an arrogant punk; I apologize for doing this, I jumped the gun on the assignment):

Since I firmly decided earlier this year that my path lies in the military, the only question in my mind has been how I wish to serve my country. As stated above, I toyed with entering the Navy, Marines, and Army, but, given my acceptance to an upstanding university, I decided to focus on becoming an officer in lieu of enlisting. Given my propensity for success in anything I devote myself to, I believe that I can and will become the best officer that I can be regardless of assigned branch. I wish to lead men in to combat, because I am confident that I rank among the best. It matters not what I have done in my past, for as of now I stand as the smartest, most motivated, and most devoted cadet in my year. The Army needs thinking men, especially in this day and age, and I will gladly step up to serve my country in the best way that I can. I will do anything, short of violating the seven Army values, in order to get there. I constantly devote myself to this cause, and I will achieve it, which is why I wish to be an Infantry Lieutenant.

Yep. You still do too. You think awful highly of yourself for someone who hasn't even signed a contract yet, much less carried a rifle for a living.

Nothing wrong with thinking highly about yourself, but being aware of your surroundings is also important.

You're speaking to men that have devoted their entire adult lives to defending this country, for whatever reason's, they have and continue to do it, yet you, who has never even worn a uniform, already rank yourself amongst the best?!

Someone on here once said, "Even when you arrive at Batt, as a brand new LT, the youngest Private will already know more about Rangering and leading than you do."

Humility is also an important value. I think you may have some maturing and/or humbling to do.

Just my .02, I do like your motivation though.

[GnomeEze]

Ranger cams:

I did not mean any disrespect to any Rangers, Airborne, Soldiers, etc. here. That sentence could have been worded better. What I meant is that I have the potential to rank among the best. Obviously I do not regard myself in higher esteem than any MS II-IV, Officer, Ranger, Enlisted soldier, etc. There is no way in hell that I am better than anyone with more knowledge and experience than me. I am next to nothing right now, as I know nothing. And I am still going to be nothing until I get some actual experience. The sergeant teaching my military science class introduced the course on Friday with a speech which included a statement to the effect of: "2LTs are made in great leaders because of great NCOs, and they are made into bad leaders because of bad NCOs." Simply because I might be of higher rank (in the future of course, I don't even have a real rank yet) than someone else, that doesn't mean I am somehow better or more knowledgeable than them. I constantly remind myself not to assert myself over others too much.

Again, I apologize whole-heartedly that I disrespected you and your fellow Rangers. I only wanted to prove my motivation and confidence. Thank you for the reminder to remain humble while still being confident and motivated.

[Jim]

Ranger cams:

I did not mean any disrespect to any Rangers, Airborne, Soldiers, etc. here. That sentence could have been worded better. What I meant is that I have the potential to rank among the best. Obviously I do not regard myself in higher esteem than any MS II-IV, Officer, Ranger, Enlisted soldier, etc. There is no way in hell that I am better than anyone with more knowledge and experience than me. I am next to nothing right now, as I know nothing. And I am still going to be nothing until I get some actual experience. The sergeant teaching my military science class introduced the course on Friday with a speech which included a statement to the effect of: "2LTs are made in great leaders because of great NCOs, and they are made into bad leaders because of bad NCOs." Simply because I might be of higher rank (in the future of course, I don't even have a real rank yet) than someone else, that doesn't mean I am somehow better or more knowledgeable than them. I constantly remind myself not to assert myself over others too much.

Again, I apologize whole-heartedly that I disrespected you and your fellow Rangers. I only wanted to prove my motivation and confidence. Thank you for the reminder to remain humble while still being confident and motivated.

Enough. It was not disrespect. The issue here is that we take being "quiet professionals" very seriously. As you mature you will become comfortable enough to be modest about yourself.