All About Me

I still call Maryland home. I was born and raised on the Eastern Shore in a little town called Allen. My mom has been a member of the military for my entire life and my dad, grandfather, and uncle have all served. I have a little sister who is currently in middle school.

One of the most frequently asked questions that cadet get are "Why are you here". Some may say because they were recruited, because it was the only college they could afford, because they wanted to fly, or simply they want to serve.
I am not a recruited athlete, but a member of the club lacrosse team. I had applied to four other institutions and all of them gave me scholarships so that wasn't most important to me. I didn't want to feel like I had made my college decision based upon whether or not I could afford it. There are always jobs and scholarships out there for the taking, you just have to be willing go after them. I have little desire to be a pilot. My main reason for accepting the appointment to the Air Force Academy (USAFA) was for the sole purpose of serving my country. I wanted to do something bigger with my life than just play sports and have the "normal" college experience. I wanted to do my part in the world and USAFA is how I believe I can do that.

The next question we get asked is "Would you do it again?" My answer is of course. I would do Basic Training (Beast) all over again. I was pushed in ways I never thought imaginable, I made friendships that I know will last a life time, i flew a glider, shot a M-16, crawled through mud, and learned more about the importance of your wing man than I ever thought possible. Although I'm now into the school year and things have been getting more stressful, I would change nothing. The challenge is what makes this place so rewarding. How many of my friends can compare their summers to mine? How many of my friends can say that they wake up at 0600 every morning to be alarm clocks for the upperclassmen? Not many. I have chose a lifestyle that many back home would never choose to do. At the end of the day I may be tired and I may be missing my cell phone and my family, but I know that in four years I will be protecting the lives of 100 Americans and fighting for their freedom.

Welcome to the Zoo

I'm a college freshmen who attends the United Air Force Academy, or as everyone who has been a part of this institution...The Zoo. We have gates around our Cadet Area keeping visitors and unwanted guests out. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we preform for those standing behind the Chapel Wall in a parade around the terrazo. We are told we are America's best and brightest, but there are cadets you look at and wonder how they got in. But it doesn't matter, because we are each others wingman and we must support our fellow classmates.