My time in the United States Marine Corps shaped nearly every aspect of who I am today; how I think, how I lead, and how I define success. The military taught me discipline, perseverance, and the value of service to others. But perhaps more importantly, it also showed me the power of structure and mission, and how quickly those things can disappear when transitioning into civilian life. It was during that transition, when I was struggling to find clarity, purpose, and direction, that I realized I needed to return to school, not just to build a career, but to rebuild a sense of purpose. As a first-generation college student, going back to school wasn’t an obvious or easy path. But I saw it as a new kind of mission. I chose to study Computer Science with a minor in Computer Security because technology is one of the most critical battlefields of the modern age, one that impacts national security, privacy, and the well-being of everyday citizens. My military experience gave me a front-row view of the systems and infrastructures that protect this country. Now, I want to be part of the team that builds and secures those systems in the digital world. Education is my next weapon in service. My goal is to use my degree to work in cybersecurity or software engineering within the government, where I can help safeguard the systems that protect service members and civilians alike. But beyond national impact, I also want to create change at the community level. I plan to use my knowledge and leadership experience to give back to the veteran community and to underserved groups looking to break into tech. Whether it's through mentorship, free coding workshops, resume-building sessions, or developing tools like my PTSD Resource Finder app, I want to ensure others have access to opportunities and support, just as I needed during my own transition. The military gave me a sense of service. Education has given me direction. And together, they’ve created a path forward where I can continue to serve, not with a uniform, but with purpose, skill, and the desire to make a lasting difference.

For me, community service isn’t limited to volunteering hours or joining a charitable cause, though those acts are deeply important. Community service is a mindset, a way of showing up for others with purpose, humility, and consistency. As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, service has always been central to who I am. But over time, my understanding of it has evolved. I’ve come to see that the communities we belong to, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and our fellow veterans all need more than momentary help. They need people who are willing to invest in their long-term success. That’s what community service means to me: using my skills and experience to make a lasting, positive difference in the lives of others. After leaving the military, I experienced how difficult the transition to civilian life can be. The shift can feel disorienting, emotionally, financially, and mentally. I was fortunate to have a strong support system and a renewed sense of purpose through education, but many others aren’t as lucky. That’s why I believe my community service must be rooted in advocacy, mentorship, and building access, especially for fellow veterans and underserved groups seeking opportunities in technology. Now pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a minor in Computer Security, I’ve found a new path to serve. My passion lies in cybersecurity and software engineering, and my goal is to work in the government sector to help protect national infrastructure and the systems that support our service members and civilians alike. But beyond the technical work, I see my future career as a platform to give back. I plan to create and support programs that help veterans and underrepresented individuals enter the tech industry, through mentorship, resume-building workshops, coding tutorials, and cybersecurity awareness training. I envision hosting local tech meetups or community outreach sessions where people can learn the basics of securing their online identities, applying for IT certifications, or translating their military experience into civilian roles. These efforts may seem small, but I know from personal experience how life-changing access and encouragement can be. One example of this mindset in action is a recent project I developed: a PTSD Resource Finder app for veterans. It’s a digital tool that connects veterans with local and online mental health resources. While the project was rooted in my academic work, its motivation came from my belief that technology should be used to uplift and protect those who have sacrificed so much. That belief continues to guide my approach to service. Community service doesn’t always come with recognition. Sometimes it’s one-on-one conversations, late-night coding sessions to help a fellow student, or quietly advocating for someone who doesn’t know where to begin. But those small actions add up. They build stronger communities, create pipelines of opportunity, and ultimately change lives. In the Marines, I was taught to never leave anyone behind. I carry that same principle into my future as a technologist and leader. Community service, for me, means continuing to serve.

Before I joined the United States Marine Corps, I thought I had a strong understanding of who I was and what it meant to be an American. I believed in discipline, hard work, and the value of freedom. But the military didn’t just reinforce those ideas, it reshaped them entirely. My time in the Marine Corps fundamentally changed the way I view myself and deepened my understanding of the country I once took for granted. When I enlisted, I was young and eager to prove myself. I thought strength meant being unbreakable, and that leadership was about barking orders and charging ahead. The Marines quickly taught me otherwise. True strength, I learned, lies in consistency, vulnerability, and the ability to endure in silence. I learned to lead by example, to follow with humility, and to serve with integrity. I discovered parts of myself I never knew existed: resilience I hadn’t tapped into, patience I didn’t know I had, and a commitment to others that exceeded anything I’d experienced before. The military also changed how I define my identity. I stopped seeing myself as just an individual and began to understand myself as part of something bigger. I was no longer focused on personal achievement alone, I was part of a team, a mission, a legacy. That perspective still drives how I approach life. Whether I’m leading a team on a government contract or helping fellow veterans transition to civilian life, I carry that sense of duty and shared responsibility with me. My view of this country also transformed during my service. Before the military, patriotism was abstract; it meant flags, holidays, and a general sense of pride. But after years of serving alongside people from every background, race, and belief system, I saw firsthand what makes America truly remarkable. It’s not perfection. It’s not politics. It’s the idea that people from vastly different walks of life can come together under a shared purpose, commit to something larger than themselves, and fight for the values we often take for granted: freedom, security, and opportunity. At the same time, my military experience made me more aware of the challenges that face our country. I saw how complex and demanding national service really is, how it affects families, how it’s underappreciated, and how many veterans struggle when they return home. My patriotism is no longer blind. It’s rooted in reality, responsibility, and a desire to improve the systems that protect our people. Most importantly, the military gave me a blueprint for who I want to be. It taught me that leadership is service, that integrity is non-negotiable, and that perseverance in the face of adversity is what defines character. It instilled in me a desire to continue serving, which now fuels my academic journey in computer science and my goal to work in cybersecurity for the government. My mission has changed, but my purpose hasn’t: to protect, to lead, and to make a difference. The Marine Corps didn’t just prepare me for a career, it helped me discover who I am and what I stand for. And it forever changed how I see this country; not as a perfect place, but as one worth serving, improving, and believing in.

My interest in computer science began in 1999 when my family brought home our first PC, loaded with the blazing fast Windows 98 operating system! I remember being captivated by it, not just for what it could do, but for the mystery behind how and why it worked. I was fascinated by the inner workings of software and the logic that powered it. That curiosity, which started as a child poking around system settings and learning how to troubleshoot problems, never went away. It grew into a passion that eventually became my chosen field of study. Today, I’m pursuing a major in Computer Science, with a minor in Computer Security. As a first-generation college student and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, my path to this point has been anything but conventional. After leaving the military, I struggled to transition back into civilian life. The structure, purpose, and community I had in the Marines were suddenly gone. I needed something to channel my energy and give me a new sense of direction. The world of technology provided that. While I haven’t had the opportunity to complete any formal internships yet, I am constantly learning and working on personal projects to sharpen my skills. I’m also in a leadership role overseeing 250 employees on a government contract, experience that has strengthened my ability to manage responsibility, make decisions under pressure, and lead diverse teams. The discipline and work ethic I developed in the Marine Corps continue to push me forward academically and professionally. I’m driven by a desire to build a future where my work not only challenges me intellectually, but also serves a greater purpose. My short-term goal after graduation is to work in the government sector in either cybersecurity or software engineering. Long-term, I want to make a lasting impact, specifically by improving the safety and technological reliability of systems used by service members. This work is meaningful to me because I’ve lived on the other side of the technology. I know what it’s like to depend on secure and functioning systems in critical situations. My experience in the military taught me that protecting information and infrastructure is about more than just preventing data loss, it’s about safeguarding lives and missions. After struggling to reintegrate into civilian life, I found purpose in technology, it gave me a mission again, one where I could still serve and protect, just in a different form. That belief continues to guide me through my studies and shapes my career aspirations. I want to be someone who bridges the gap between the people who depend on technology and the systems that support them. In the Marines, I learned that leadership means taking responsibility not just for yourself, but for the well-being of others. That’s the mindset I bring into the world. I see it not just as a career, but as a way to continue serving others through innovation, protection, and the pursuit of technological excellence.

As a United States Marine Corps veteran, I know firsthand that transitioning from military to civilian life can be disorienting and isolating. One of the greatest challenges I witnessed among my fellow veterans, and experienced personally, was navigating mental health support systems, especially when dealing with PTSD. This deeply personal issue became the foundation of a project I developed: a PTSD Resource Finder for Veterans, a web-based platform designed to connect veterans with local and online support networks, mental health professionals, and crisis resources. The idea for the project came during a particularly reflective period. I began thinking about how I could use technology to serve others. I realized that for many veterans, the barrier to getting help isn’t just stigma, it’s accessibility and awareness. I wanted to change that. The platform I built is lightweight, mobile-friendly, and designed for ease of use. It includes geolocation features to help users find nearby VA centers, therapists, or veteran-friendly support groups. I used React for the frontend and Supabase for the backend database, ensuring real-time updates and secure data handling. I also integrated the Google Maps API to allow users to visualize and navigate to local resources. Additionally, the app includes a categorized database of national hotlines, online therapy options, and peer-to-peer forums. Every design choice I made, down to color palette and font size, was rooted in empathy and accessibility for users who may be overwhelmed or in crisis. What made this project so meaningful to me wasn’t just the technical challenge, but the emotional resonance behind it. I understood what it felt like to not know where to turn. I had been there. I had seen others there. This app was my way of reaching back to help those who came after me. Throughout the process, I was reminded of how powerful and humanizing technology can be. It’s easy to think of code as impersonal, but this project reminded me that behind every app or tool is a real person with a real problem. That’s what inspires me about working in tech: it’s not just about building, it’s about solving, connecting, and empowering. As I look toward the future, I want to continue building tools that make a difference. I want to ensure the systems that protect our people are as resilient and accessible as possible. My goal is to use my technical skills and military experience to serve a greater purpose, helping others find safety, clarity, and connection in a digital age. This project helped me find purpose during my transition. It also reaffirmed why I chose computer science: because technology, when used with intention and empathy, can change lives.