I'd be willing to take a look at it.
Ravioli, if you think that is bad try having a Command Career Counselor having to dig for the most up to date forms for enlisted members like myself. Hopefully when I go into work he has found a majority of documents I need to start my application. Good luck.
V/r
OS2 (SW) M.
As an American citizen, I have had the privileges of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness my entire life (remove for clarity) without fear of persecution or tyranny. I’m allowed this privileges because veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect it. I feel a duty to give back to my country, which has never asked for anything in return for these privleges. Serving my country as a Naval Aviator is a culmination of my life's events; preparation meeting opportunity.
As a child I spent ample time at my grandmother’s home immersed (word choice?) with pictures, stories and medals my grandfather earned during his career as a Naval Aviator. Commander Madden passed away when I was three, but his legacy as an Officer and an Aviator left an impression imprinted upon (remove, redundant wording) on me for my entire life. My grandfather exhibited every character trait expected of any Officer in the United States Navy, including the three core values of the Navy: honor, courage, and commitment. in the same way I strive to do today. (remove, verbose) Throughout my own life, I have strived to live every day with honor and integrity, and take after the man I have come to admire.
When I started college, I didn’t possess the maturity to realize my potential. I knew what I wanted to do, but lacked the direction to achieve it. At the end of my sophomore year, I made the decision to transfer to another University, to a new environment. This would be the most significant means of positively influencing change to reach my goal of becoming an Aviator. Since transferring to the University of North Dakota, I have recovered a 2.45 GPA to a 3.25, while obtaining a 3.75 institutional GPA. I also have made the Dean’s list for two semesters in a row while working, and also holding active memberships in extra-curricular activities. Becoming a Naval Aviator is a lifelong dream coming to reality. (I question this last sentences placement)
From my first flight in a small Piper at the age of ten, I have always loved aviation. I knew from that first flight that regardless of whom I would become, or where I would be, that I would be an aviator. I love aviation and what it allows me as a “ground-based” human to achieve every time I take to the skies. (cheesy but I like it) While I want to join the Navy as an Aviator to pursue this dream, my real inspiration to join the Navy arises (word choice, "comes" has equal meaning, more clarity) from my desire to lead others and to serve my country. I not only accept, but desire, the challenge to lead others to complete the mission. I place high value upon my own character traits and life experiences to assist me in fulfilling my true potential as an Officer.
The most important lesson I have learned in life has been that nothing can be more valuable than investing in oneself. My decision to recognize my potential and enact change demonstrates important qualities that I will bring to the Navy: strong character, a willingness to strive for success, and a personality that won’t accept anything but my best. I have had the opportunity to experience many successes; but most importantly have had the opportunity to learn from my mistakes. Joining the Navy to become a Naval Aviator is a culmination of these learning experiences and the hard work I have put in to overcome my short falls. Nothing in my life will ever be more significant than my choice to join the United States Navy. (The very last sentence leaves me with a weird feeling I can't pin down. If you get accepted that will be more significant, if you get winged that will be...)
Overall pretty darn good. You use unnecessarily complex sentence structure and word choice from time to time. I'm a firm believer in third grade words. K.I.S.S. If you can say it with a common word in a simple sentence, then do that. (obviously varying the sentence structure to relieve boredom and to add emphasis as necessary.) The part about your grand father is fine to me. Not too long, and it shows motivation.
Cool thanks again Yak. Anyone else spot anything?
As an American citizen, I have had the privileges of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without fear of persecution or tyranny. I’m allowed this privilege because veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect it. I feel a duty to give back to my country, which has never asked for anything in return for these privileges. Serving my country as a Naval Aviator is a culmination of my life’s events; preparation meeting opportunity.
As a child I spent ample time at my grandmother’s home surrounded by pictures, stories and medals my grandfather earned during his career as a Naval Aviator. Commander Madden passed away when I was three, but his legacy as an Officer and an Aviator left an impression on me for my entire life. My grandfather exhibited every character trait expected of any Officer in the United States Navy, including the three core values of the Navy: honor, courage, and commitment. Throughout my own life, I have strived to live every day with honor and integrity, and take after the man I have come to admire.
From my first flight in a small Piper at the age of ten, I have always loved aviation. I knew from that first flight that regardless of whom I would become, or where I would be, that I would be an aviator. I love aviation and what it allows me as a “ground-based” human to achieve every time I take to the skies. While I want to join the Navy as an Aviator to pursue this dream, my real inspiration to join the Navy comes from my desire to lead others and to serve my country. I not only accept, but desire the challenge to lead others to complete the mission, and I place high value upon my own character traits and life experiences to assist me in fulfilling my true potential as an Officer.
When I started college, I didn’t possess the maturity to realize my potential. I knew what I wanted to do, but lacked the direction to achieve it. At the end of my sophomore year, I made the decision to transfer to another University, to a new environment. This would be the most significant means of positively influencing change to reach my goal of becoming an Aviator. Since transferring to the University of North Dakota, I have recovered a 2.45 GPA to a 3.25, while obtaining a 3.75 institutional GPA. I also have made the Dean’s list for two semesters in a row while working, and also holding active memberships in extra-curricular activities. Becoming a Naval Aviator is a lifelong dream coming to reality.
The most important lesson I have learned in life has been that nothing can be more valuable than investing in oneself. My decision to recognize my potential and enact change demonstrates important qualities that I will bring to the Navy; strong character, a willingness to strive for success, and a personality that won’t accept anything but my best. I have had the opportunity to experience many successes; but most importantly have had the opportunity to learn from my mistakes. Joining the Navy to become a Naval Aviator is a culmination of these learning experiences and the hard work I have put in to overcome my short falls. Nothing in my life will ever fulfill me like serving my country as a Naval Aviator and having the opportunity to protect the constitution, and the people of the United States, as those have before me.
Sorry, I always get carried away with writing, I should probably avoid this thread for my own sake.
Ray-Ban, looks good. I'd consider a few things. You need to chose whether or not you want to use the Oxford or serial comma, (For breakfast I had bacon, eggs, and toast; for breakfast I had bacon, eggs and toast.) I personally feel that it adds clarity to many statements, although yours aren't necessarily ambiguous without it. You have two instances where you used it, and two where you did not.
The second sentence probably should be "I'm afforded these privileges by veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect them." That way it agrees with the sentence before it. Privilege, privileges.
"I also have made the Dean’s list for two semesters in a row while working as a web developer, and also holding active memberships in extra-curricular activities."
"I also made the Dean's list for two consecutive semesters while working as a web developer and holding active memberships in extra-curricular activities."
A simple past tense will do here if your just listing past events. When you combine an auxiliary verb with your primary verb it essentially implies that this statement continues into present time. While your sentence isn't confusing with it, it's not necessary. Some people like to use it for emphasis however, which might be what you have done here. The beginning of your third paragraph is a perfect example of the technically correct usage of this.
I think the comma after 3.25 is unnecessary as well. There's probably a few more you might not need as well.
Sorry, I always get carried away with writing, I should probably avoid this thread for my own sake.