| Essay Non-Fiction posted October 7, 2024 |
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Short story about the time a teenager who showed leadership
Courage to Leadership
by Alma Contreras1
Everyone wants to be a leader, until they see what sacrifices it takes. Since the 9th grade I knew I wanted be the Commanding Officer of our JROTC Battalion, but I didn’t know if I could live up the legacy of those before me. However, I didn’t let this thought stop me from pushing forward and fighting for something I desired. Being the only freshman on the color guard at the time, I had a lot to prove to the upperclassmen. My chance to prove myself finally came during my Junior year.
Many have the opportunity of being in JROTC, wearing the uniform, and learning how to drill. However, only a few actually become part of it. On July 2016 at 0300, I stepped onto a bus taking 30 cadets to Parris Island, SC. What seemed like an eternity on the bus, we finally arrived at the recruit depot where the infamous wooden sign stood, ‘’WELCOME TO PARRIS ISLAND WE MAKE MARINES’’. At this moment my heart began to race and I wondered what exactly I had gotten myself into. Soon the bus came to a halt, the doors opened and loud footsteps marched onto the bus. A bearish man that seemed to be as tall as a giant barked at us to get off the bus and stand on a pair of yellow footprints. As I ran off the bus with all of my gear, he counted down from 100 within seconds, skipping numbers in the process. Making us run back and forth for about 20 minutes my Drill Instructor, Staff Sgt. Madison had taken us to our barracks. For next the next 7 days we would be known as Gulf Company 1342.
The next set of days my cadets and I made it through hell. During our 30 minutes of cardio, I refused to let anyone give up, no matter how much my legs felt like jelly I kept my composure. Later that day, we took on an obstacle course; trying to get over one of the obstacles, I burned my skin on the harsh rope. Bleeding and swollen, I continued to run.. During the night, as I cleaned my open wounds, I realized something. Courage is not defined by possessing the strength to go on, but moving forward when you have no strength.
My family needed me and I was not going to let them down. Wounded and exhausted, I led the pack through our final days. All the struggles I endured with poise and determination. The last day, I shook my DI’s hand, the same man who told me I was average, told me he was proud of my transformation and I’m a true born leader. I could see the sincerity in his eyes and the tears he held back, I couldn’t believe I made a MARINE emotional.
To all who shall see these presents, greetings:
Know Ye that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of
ALMA CONTRERAS
I do appoint her to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel in the
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER TRAINING CORPS………….
There I stood in my service uniform in front of my battalion of over 250 cadets transforming into Lt. Colonel. I continued to reflect on lessons I had learned: If you do what is easy your life will be hard, but if you what is hard, continue to make sacrifices in order to reach your goal, your life will be easy. No matter how tired you are, once you reach your goal that is only the beginning. You have to continue to strive toward your next goal and grow and whenever you feel like quitting, remember pain is temporary but victory is forever.
Nonfiction Writing Contest contest entry
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The First Milestone This authors first post! A Milestone Post |
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