Patrick & Courtney Smith
This essay includes the experiences of my military career and those of my daughter growing in a Military family. The events of my 26 year Naval career, 12 family moves to different homes, neighborhoods and schools led to well-rounded life experiences and a disciplined education which laid the solid foundation of my daughter's integrity and character. She is clearly driven to help people. From an early age she helped the family during numerous deployments, and was even elected class leader in the 5th grade. As she became older, she gave Violin lessons to young children and volunteered consistently at a Soup Kitchen throughout High School. In College she volunteers to help a Chinese student learn English, organized a small musical ensemble to play for a Elderly Care home in Blacksburg, VA, and she is the Vice President for Recruitment of the student run Hokie Ambassador Tour Guide organization. She is a steadfast example of service and dedication. She is well suited to the honor of your Veterans Mortgage scholarship.
"Dr John Hibben said: 'Education is the ability to meet life's situations.' He said this in his book, A Defense of Prejudice, which was written in 1911. He also dedicated a chapter to the discussion of a "Superfuluous Education", which he described as the additional and essential part of education above and beyond traditional schooling.1 Thus Dr Hibben defined Education as both the traditional and non-traditional aspects of our lives, and the traditional part of our education is a small portion of life's experience. Put another way, you can always learn, and you get out of life what you put into it.
Part I. How do you project that your experience with the Military will coincide with your traditional education to benefit you in your life and career?
My Naval career and military experience began after High School with a fortunate opportunity to attend the Naval Academy. I was not a natural academic and remember studying extensively during most weekends of my first two years. Despite several challenging English and Thermodynamics courses, my grades were high enough to allow me to fulfill my early dream and become a Naval Aviator. During my tour as a Helicopter test pilot, I learned the fragility of life when my next door neighbor was lost due to a mechanical failure of a small oil pressure transducer during a training flight. Searching for rational answers during this experience was very difficult and I learned the value of spiritual strength and the strength of friendship, family and healthy appreciation for living with purpose and sense of service. This experience would later help me understand and help my daughter through a similar loss of a close friend during her teenage years.
In High School, my daughter began a friendship with a young man who lived in our neighborhood. Neither one had a date for the Junior Ring Dance, so they made plans to go together. Soon afterward, he was in a tragic and fatal automobile accident. She struggled with the deep emotions and unanswered questions during a long grieving time period. She volunteered at several fund-raising events in honor of a scholarship in his name, and spent many evenings with his family to help console them.
In 1990 as a Helicopter detachment officer in charge, I returned home from a six-month deployment and was notified soon after my return that I would redeploy to a detachment on a ship supporting Operation Desert Storm. I recall notifying my wife, who disapprovingly accepted this as a part of my career. My daughter was 2 and a half, who spoke very well and although not able to fully understand a Daddy who was leaving again, she learned early to adapt. She took this in stride, and with my wife's help and my picture in the crib each night, we all learned the value of service to our country and the strength of our family, friends and fellow citizens. Our young family was supported by my wife's parents, prior USMC family, my aviation squadron, and the neighbors in the small San Diego town.
During my daughter's Junior and High School timeframe, my career was filled with exciting and challenging sea duty assignments. As Executive Officer assigned to USS SAIPAN (LHA 2), I was responsible for the day-to-day operation of an 1100 person Amphibous Aircraft carrier during five deployments. This 2 and a half year assignment came with 24/7 responsibility. My daughter similarly jumped at opportunity for a challenging education, completing two Advanced Placement courses, holding above a 4.0 grade point average and participated in 3 Varsity sports. On the 3.2 mile Cross Country course and 800 yard track, she struggled with hip pain, and being the shortest runner on the team, she brought energy and leadership to the teams. She had several key finishes for her Cross Country team, and many other hard fought races. Her senior year brought her dual enrollment in a local Community College, and a Violin instructor for young children. She learned the value of preparation, hard work, and failure. During a dinner table conversation one Thursday evening, I told my family I had to work this weekend and the ship would get underway for 2 weeks unexpectedly. Our ship had failed an engineering assessment and despite our hard work over the past 2 months, we needed to do more. I recall my daughter questioning the rationale, the weekend of work and me missing her Orchestra Concert and unexpected time away from home – this did not seem fair. This situation, and other similar "unfair" events help shape my daughter's appreciation for the challenges of life.
Part II. In which 'life situations' do you specifically anticipate to succeed?"
My daughter will succeed in her Nursing education, her professional life and personal relationships because of her rich education and military related experiences. In the Nursing program which consists of demanding technical education and human understanding, she is well suited to the rigor of study and long hours. Her adaptable nature and broad perspective will enable her to learn the human aspects of Nursing, and the application of the technical studies to the human body.
As a young professional in the medical field, her appreciation for hard work, sterling integrity and character will shine through. This rock-solid quality of her personality and mentorship will pull her through challenging professional times, and add immense value to the medical profession. I have no doubt she will improve the lives of many people.
In personal relationships, she will be the epitome of someone who is bigger than her profession, and be the model citizen. She is able to laugh and cry with anyone. Her compassion is endless, and interactions with people from all walks of life will strengthen the fabric of our country, the freedom we enjoy and the individual growth of character in every citizen she has the chance to influence.
Conclusion: Education, both inside and outside the classroom, during our family's military experience has enabled my daughter growth to a model citizen. She learned the value of balancing hard work, studying, education, and appreciating life's experiences.
The steady influence of our military up-bringing, laid the foundation for a service-oriented way to approach every day which will pay big dividends in her young life forging a career in Nursing. Her rich life experiences provided from our family career in the Navy, with 3 generations of Veterans, from myself, to both Grandfathers, to one Great Grandfather as career Army and US Marine Corps veterans. Her vibrant personality, high energy, and lessons in both traditional education and non-traditional military life experience will certainly bring her success in a Nursing career. She is well suited to the honor of your Veterans Mortgage scholarship.
