When I first thought about joining the Military back in High School I thought about joining the Air Force. I had childhood dreams of becoming a fighter pilot and I thought it would be exciting. Yet, I never thought any further of pursuing this dream I had. In my Sophmore year of highschool, I decided to take the ASVAB test, but my reason to take the test was to just skip a few classes for the day. I've scored pretty High I guess, and since that day, I've been recieving phone calls from the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force. I've met one Marine while I was in Highschool, Yet i've never had the chance to really talk to him, and also, I wasn't to interested in the military.

I soon graduated from Highschool and I was looking forward to college and all of the fun that will be coming with it. Little did I know at the time that I was in for a big surprise and a life changing experience. I started college undisiplined, Unorganized and over all, I wasn't really ready. After 3semisters of college, I was at a cross road. I was failing most of my classes and I held a very low GPA. (I did how ever got great grades during my second semster)

I thought long and hard the day after I learned that if I contiune getting poor marks, I'll be kicked out of school. My older brother reconmmended that I quit school for now and become a Police officer. What really sold me on this idea was when I learned of how much they make a year and the benefits they get. I then decided that I will become a Cop, and later, try to get my college degree.

One night, I thought about being a cop, and after all of the video footages I've seen and that Hollywood bank robbery, I thought to myself that the average person who finish police academy isn't so fully trained in handling serious situations like the one that happened in North Hollywood. The training to become a peace officer is about 6 months (give and take), but in time frame, can a person learn enough to handle tough situations like the North Hollywood shoot out? In my personal opinon, I don't think the average person can enter the academy and be trained enough to handle situation like the one that occured in North Hollywood and successfully arrest the armed men. I'm sorry if I offend anyone who is in law enforcement but I personally do not believe that 6 months is enough time to poperly train the average person and have this person protect our citizens from the new, more violent and sophiscated criminals.

I then thought, how about Military training before I enter the police academy. My little brother just finished Marine Corp boot camp, and after seeing the change in him, I was impressed and intriqued. I soon started asking him questions about his experiences and how the military trained him to defend our country. I was impressed with what I was told about the Marine's Crusible. The Crusible is a 54 hour event that pushes the recruits mentally and phyically to there limits and only passing this event will they earn the title, United States Marine. As time passed on, I grew a liking for the Marine corp, but what made me decide to join was my trip with my little brother down to Camp Pendleton. (home of the United States Marine Corp) I was fortunate enough to see the infintrymen march with there weapons at hand and to me, that was the most awesome thing I've ever seen in my life. From that day on, I wanted to become among the Elite, I wanted to be a Marine.

I felt my life beginning to change when I met Staff Sergant Yoo. I was feeling a bit uneasy entering the recruiting office, and I thought the first Marine I see will be firm and will be yelling at the top of his lungs and saying things like "You there, why did you come in here!!! Do you think you have what it takes to be a Marine.!!? Come on Son, your wasting my time, speak up!!!" But what really happened was 180 degrees the other direction. He was very friendly and we were talking as if we were friends and he was Asian, I've never seen and Asian person recruit before.. NOW this is where the 1 part of the most difficult journey of my life.

Soon after Passing the nessary tests and screening, I had one last obsticle, it was my Weight. I was over weight. I was 30 plus pounds over weight( this was the summer of 99) No one thought that I could lose that much weight, every one doubted me because in my past, i've shown no dedication towards anything in my life. As of January 2000, I was 40 plus pounds over.

From that time untill recently, I've worked out very hard and I've been through great stresses and Emotional pain. It was almost a daily routine Emotional lashing from the people I know. I would hear from people, when are you going in, when are you going to ever lose weight, You know, how are you ever going to make the marines living the way you do, YOU CAN'T BE A MARINE, YOUR FAT!!! And so on. Some days it was hard to bare. One day, I decided that it was a new year, and I need to get my butt into gear and make it into the Marines, not next year, not in 2 years, but this year, This summer. Since new year, I've trained very hard and I've disiplined myself more then I have ever done. I was deteremined to make it as a Marine, and if this means running every day and depriving myself of some of the foods that I love so very much, so be it. And as of June 28 I made it. I've lost 40 plus pounds and made it under the wire by 1 pound. my goal is near compete as of aug 2. Ive sworn into the Military and that was the happiest day of my life. .