I always knew that it was my duty to serve for at least some years of my life. When I found out about the Coast Guard Academy, I figured it would be the best way for me to accomplish that. I wanted an environment where my peers would be doing great things and inspiring me to do the same. I desired a culture where we were all working toward a goal— where I could be a part of
something larger than myself.

I got through my first day of Swab Summer, said goodbye to my parents, and took comfort in the thought that I was where I had wanted to be. It was hard to keep this sentiment when I was woken up at 0530 the next morning and told at 0531 that I was already underperforming. This is where it set in for me that life would be different for the near future. Yet over the
course of the seven weeks, I grew to love the ways we were challenged, and by the end, I felt I was ready to face the school year.

Since reporting in, I have found that one of the best parts of the Academy is our summer assignments. One summer, I was flown out to Dutch Harbor, AK to meet a cutter on patrol in the Bering Sea. I got to see the
operational Coast Guard as we kept a presence near the maritime boundary line with Russia, boarded vessels, and conducted flight operations.

The Academy can be daunting, and sometimes you need to give a lot to meet all that is expected of you. But if you are up for the challenge, and you can choose to see obstacles as opportunities, you will excel.