NROTC Scholarship Papers

The Navy's core values are Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Please discuss a situation where you demonstrated one or more of these qualities and why that value is important to you.

While growing up, my Grandma had an enthusiastic motto for our family. She would often say, “We’re the Spalding Do-Its, we don’t talk about it, we don’t think about it, we don’t dream about it, we just do-it, do-it, DO-it!” That family motto exhibits two of the values that have deeply influenced my life: commitment and honor.
With my family behind me every step of the way, my commitment has led me to passionately persevere through all my challenges and to accomplish all of my goals. An excellent example of my commitment would have to be this past election year. I volunteered my time and efforts with several political organizations, even though I was not old enough to vote. Nearly every single day of the months leading up to election day I consistently assembled and distributed thousands of signs and bumper stickers, called hundreds of my fellow citizens, went door-to-door for weeks, and aided in organizing rally’s and meetings with constituents. I would not allow my inability to vote to discourage me from making a difference in my local, state, and federal governments.
The unbreakable bond which runs through my family deserves nothing less than my honor and commitment. My parents wise counsel, discipline, and guidance have instilled in me a sense of pride, honor, and appreciation for their sacrifice. My last name is more to me than just something to be identified as or a name to be written on forms or documents. I am honored to be a part of a family that has meant so much to me. I was born a Spalding and will always be one. Honor is important to me because it reflects and rewards true character by imparting respect and reverence to those individuals and ideas which contain knowledge, wisdom and authority that must be considered, respected and eventually applied. Most importantly, my parents and family have instilled in me a desire to serve others with the same commitment and dedication their example has taught me, an example of honor and of a strong commitment to “do-it.”


Explain your greatest influence in applying for NROTC Scholarship Program.

My greatest influence in applying for the NROTC Scholarship Program has been my desire to receive a college education while becoming a Naval Officer. I strongly believe that I have the qualities and characteristics to successfully complete NROTC and serve my country through my leadership and diligence. The opportunities of the NROTC Scholarship Program would provide me with an excellent, disciplined education, while molding my body and mind into a U.S. Naval Officer. I have considered enlisting at my local recruiting office, but I also have a desire to continue my education further through college. Also taken into consideration, has been the possibility of going to college and enlisting afterwards. However, after much thought and examination, I strongly feel that with my passionate desire to serve my country, along with my desire to attend college, the NROTC Scholarship Program is the perfect opportunity to fulfill both of my ambitions.
I believe that discipline through college is the perfect method to receive a well-rounded education, one that goes beyond academic standards and instills qualities and values into the hearts and minds of students. Without a doubt, this is the perfect environment that I want and need. The influences that have led me to apply for this scholarship have come to me so many times and in so many ways. Most definitely, the NROTC Scholarship Program will allow me to fulfill my full potential as a student, a person, and an aspiring Naval Officer.


Discuss your reasons for wanting to become a Naval Officer.

My roots and simply, my love for the Navy, have inspired and influenced me to pursue the career and commitment of being a US Naval Officer. In 1994 and 1996, my two brothers enlisted in the Navy. One has been out for five years, the other was just recently commissioned as an Officer in the United States Navy. The Navy has been in my heart and on my mind since I was very young. I still remember ironing on stripes and bars onto my blue dress shirt, shining my shoes, and wearing my brother’s sailor’s hat. In my room is a cabinet full of folders and notebooks loaded with information that I researched and wrote about the Navy and military history. In a 4th grade class contest, I won first place for my presentation on the US Navy and for the surprisingly intelligent summaries and narratives I wrote on Naval ships, planes, history and traditions. I have aspired to join the Navy ever since these early days as a child. From reading letters written from my brother in Bahrain, to watching him proudly be commissioned as an officer, my desire to join him in the US Navy has only grown and grown.
I have given so much consideration and thought to pursuing a career as a Naval Officer. This is not a fleeting desire, but a deeply-rooted goal that I have had for years. I believe that this goal will lead me to make a profound difference in the US Navy. As a US Naval Officer, I believe that through my example, I will inspire others to passionately pursue and conquer every challenge and every obstacle that we will encounter during the task of protecting this country.


What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment to date?

My involvement and service during four missions trips to the South American country of Peru has undoubtedly been the greatest accomplishment of my life. During those four summers, my church and I had the opportunity of holding a basketball camp for orphaned street children. These children are treated like trash on the streets of Peru, often resorting to theft, prostitution and drugs to stay alive and to ease the pain of their miserable lives. Each morning we taught the kids the basic fundamentals of basketball, began drills, and split-up teams. I had the privilege to be able to coach one of those teams. I’ll never forget those moments with my team, when somehow, someway I could see a faint glimpse of a person without the scars, without the pain and without the loneliness. When actually loved and cared for, these kids, who have grown up in the most wretched and horrific conditions, have just as much compassion, ambitions and interests as any other normal child or teenager would have. The opportunity to be able to make and sustain relationships for four straight years, was an experience and an accomplishment unlike any that I have ever known. I truly believe that we changed lives through our yearly trips to that street child center. For us to be able to break the stereotype of Americans, and to show that we are human beings who care and love just like them, was an accomplishment unlike any other. The ability to go out on the streets of Peru and to feed and care for the sick, the homeless, the prostitutes, the children, and the outcasts gave hope and the possibility of a future to those who had none. Building relationships and creating cross-cultural friendships with those kids through a simple game of basketball, was an accomplishment in my life that will never be forgotten and never taken for granted.



...I believe that these papers were the reason I got accepted for the Four-year NROTC Scholarship. I didn't have that great of SAT or ACT scores, I'm not that great in math or science, but I really, really worked hard on these papers and I'm sure they helped alot towards getting that scholarship.