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Motivational statement review...

bunk22

Super *********
pilot
Super Moderator
No not mine :) A young kid asked me for some help. Being I suck at numbers, letters and spelling, hough I would ask for help from this forum. Her is his motivational statement:

It is a great privilege to apply for a commission in the United States Navy. I believe military service is a great honor and I could not imagine my life without having served.
Early in my adult life I lost a full AFROTC scholarship for unsatisfactory academic progress due to nothing more than my own lack of personal responsibility. My future as an officer seemed uncertain. Later in my life I was encouraged by one man in particular, the late Dr. Giles McCoy, one of the few survivors of the U.S.S. Indianapolis. Dr. McCoy was one of my regular customers at my workplace. His service and exemplification of courage under adversity has inspired to me to never accept defeat and to have the courage to undermine my failure by taking responsibility for what I did, as well as what I can do in the future.
I worked hard in the restaurant business to pay for college courses and continued to work on my time management skills. For a second job during the summer, I became an Ocean Lifeguard. I learned that my physical abilities, vigilance, and decision making would play a life or death role daily for those which I was responsible for.
My desire to fly motivated me to make a commitment to myself to work harder than I ever had before to achieve my goals. I worked extra shifts at my job, washed aircraft, swept hangars, and mowed lawns to be able to pay for flight training. The hard work paid off when I earned my Commercial Pilot’s License with Single, Multi-engine, and Instrument ratings, doing so without having failed a single FAA written test or checkride. During this time I completed an Associate’s Degree. I am now continuing work toward a Bachelor’s Degree.
After much consideration, the Navy attracted me the most because of the whole person concept, the opportunity to travel, and specifically the tradition and reputation of Naval Aviators. I have a strong desire to overcome challenges. I aspire to learn to lead those which I will be responsible for, and to follow and learn from those placed above me. Most of all, I want to do something great and honorable with my life. These are the reasons which motivate me to seek a commission in the United States Navy. Thank you for your consideration.
 

m26

Well-Known Member
Contributor
It is a great privilege to apply for a commission in the United States Navy. I believe military service is a great honor and I could not imagine my life without having served.

Is he prior service? If not, I believe he is using the wrong tense.

Early in my adult life I lost a full AFROTC scholarship for unsatisfactory academic progress. This was due to nothing more than my own lack of personal responsibility.


Later in my life...

I don't like this. It's too vague, and I find it awkward.

His service and exemplification of courage under adversity has inspired to me to never accept defeat and to have the courage to undermine my failure by taking responsibility for what I did, as well as what I can do in the future.

1) "Exemplification of" is unnecessary and has that thesaurusy feel to it.

2) Not really a grammatical note, but I would wonder what exactly prompted the applicant to turn his life around. There are a lot of inspirational stories around. What about this particular relationship led to the turnaround? (Of course 400 words is a nasty limit)

3) "Taking responsibility for what I did" - This implies, to me, a singular action. If he takes responsibility for his actions, this covers past and future.

I learned that my physical abilities, vigilance, and decision making would play a life or death role _ for those whom I was responsible for.

The hard work paid off when I earned my Commercial Pilot’s License with Single, Multi-engine, and Instrument ratings, _ without having failed a single FAA written test or checkride.

During this time I completed an Associate’s Degree; I am now working toward my Bachelor’s Degree.

After much consideration, the Navy attracted me the most because of the whole person concept, the opportunity to travel, and particularly the tradition and reputation of Naval Aviators.

I have a strong desire to overcome challenges. I aspire _ to lead those whom I will be responsible for, and to follow and learn from those placed above me.

Most of all, I want to do something great and honorable with my life.

This is where you break out the thesaurus.

These are the reasons that motivate me to seek a commission in the United States Navy. Thank you for your consideration.
 
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