Hi friends! I just got home from camp and I’m headed off to California tomorrow (!!!) but I’d like to take this post to talk about my plans for the future. This is something I’ve been wanting to talk about for quite a while. I’m sure you are all shocked by the title!!
It’s true. After I graduate from Michigan Tech University (double major in electrical engineering and mathematics), I’ll be an officer in the United States Air Force. I’m doing the AFROTC program and have received a full scholarship.
Me in the military?! It all started last May when I went to a summer camp at West Point Military Academy. I didn’t want to go at all – me in the army?? um definitely not. – but after a week of getting yelled at, working out, and meeting so many people, I realized that I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I’ve never had the feeling of knowing what my calling is, but there, I did. I could tell that it’s what I was meant to do. It was calming. I loved everything about it from marching, yelling cadences, uniforms, and feeling like a real part of American history.
Getting back from West Point, I was dead set on it. But then I realized I should take a look at my other military options as well. After doing more research on all the branches, I decided that the Air Force would be the best fit for me. Michigan Tech, the school I always wanted to go to, has a very good AFROTC program. I applied for the national scholarship. The few months of waiting were some of the most stressful times of my life, considering it was also near the end of my senior year so there was so much going on.
I received my scholarship letter and my acceptance to West Point. And then I had a big decision to make. The United States Military Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in the country and with so much history and so many famous graduates, or the school I always dreamed of?
In the end, I chose Michigan Tech. I still wanted to have a somewhat normal college experience, and I think doing ROTC will allow me to.
Though I’m not going to West Point, I still love it and hope to go back to visit someday. It’s absolutely beautiful there. I am so honored to be accepted, but I didn’t know if it was right for me. I hope whoever took my spot is so happy to be there. I will always wonder what I will have missed out on by not going to West Point, but I can’t spend my life wondering. I made a choice, and I have to live with it.
I’ll be heading out in a couple weeks to move into my dorm! I can’t even say how excited I am. This is the rest of my life starting. I am really hoping to be a little more regular with blogging though I know I say that in every post! I just had to renew my web hosting, so I know that The Yooper Girl will be up for at least three more years ? talk to you all soon!
As the daughter of a man who fought in WWII and the wife of a man who served in the time of Viet Nam, I sincerely want to thank you for your commitment to service. This country needs bright, intelligent young people exactly like you to maintain our freedom from foreign rule. God bless you, child
Thank you, Cynthia. Your comment means more than you know! A big thank you to your father and husband also 🙂
How exciting! What an incredible journey you’re about to embark upon. Tech is a great school and a bit closer to home for you. Congrats, its the first day of the rest of your life!
Thanks Meghan! I am BEYOND excited!!!
I am sure of one thing, greatness for you!
I AM SO BEYOND PROUD OF YOU!!!!!
<3 <3 <3 you are the best
How exciting!! I am so happy you found your calling and are starting the next chapter of your life so soon! Wishing you all the best!
Thank you so much Brie!! btw YOU ROCK for training for your marathon! I just signed up for a half and I don’t even think I can run that far anymore ?
Leigha, so proud of you. We are proud to be your grandparents.
Thank you Grandma <3
I am absolutely amazed by you.. Day in and day out. So proud to be your dad. Love you
Love you <3
So exciting girl! That is awesome!
THANK YOU!! 🙂
Goodness, you sound like a remarkable young lady, Congratulations on your success (and brilliance). West Point’s loss is Michigan Tech’s gain. Thank you for serving our country. I wish you the absolute very best.
Thank you, Kathryn. You have no idea how much your kind words mean to me!
Leigha you are so amazing!!!! Welcome to the military family! I am so proud of you!
Thank you! 🙂 you are an inspiration to me!
Wow! Congratulations on finding your calling. I think anyone reading your blog over the years could tell that you are an exceptional person and this proves it. Good luck 🙂
That means so much to hear. Thank you for the kind comment! 🙂
Congratulations, Leigha! I am so happy for you! I just love it when you find something that just makes perfect sense– even though it wasn’t in your original plans (I felt that way earlier this year, too). Good luck in everything you do! 🙂
Thanks girl! And good luck to you too! <3