If you are reading this, it's likely because I tagged you in the Facebook post. I know I tagged a lot of people (and I mean a lot of people from childhood, high school and college to family) but if you got a notification from me, saying that you were tagged in something by me, then be happy; you matter so much I wanted to share what I have to say with you. If I forgot to tag people (which I imagine I did), you are just as important. Some of you may already know what I am going to say.

At this point in my life I'm reaching the end of a train ride that I had begun with many other fellow students just two and a half years ago. Some people got off the train at some points and some got on, but for those who have stuck it out, our final stop is fast approaching. To be completely honest, I can't begin to believe that I'm about to say this because of how fast the time flew, but here we are. In May of 2017, we will be graduating from college.

Those who know me well know that I have made known what I want to be doing when my time at Ramapo is done. Since high school, I've had great hopes of joining the United States Army. The ultimate dream was to join the Army, become an officer and even take it further by training to become an elite Army Ranger. My reasons for even considering the Army were that I wanted to serve my country, and it seemed like the best way to do so.

Yet as the graduation date continues to creep up, I find myself having second thoughts on the whole thing. My parents, closest friends and career adviser all expressed their concerns about joining the Army with the most obvious issue being my overall safety. I began to think about other things, like what the Army could offer me. So after much deliberation and thought, I have decided that instead of going into the Army, I will instead join another branch of the military: the Navy.

There are several reasons that I have decided to pursue the Navy as a career choice. One of the large factors in this decision was my heritage. Of the seven World War II veterans I have in my family, four of them were in the Navy, including my late grandfather, Ario Bucciarelli, who served as an AEtM1c (Aviation Electronics Technicians Mate Petty Officer First Class) from 1943 to 1946. My Great-Aunt was a Navy Nurse during the Korean War whose hospital ship was constantly fired on by enemy bombers. My Uncle was in the Navy for three years during the peace between Korea and Vietnam and I was given his burial flag at his funeral in 2012. In case it wasn't already obvious, a majority of my military family members were Navy Veterans, including my Great-Uncle Richie who is currently the last surviving World War II veteran.

I do know the risks that come with choosing the military as a career. It's not just the risk of getting killed that can prove to be a hazard, but all who serve are susceptible to PTSD. I am willing to take that risk, however, because I wish to serve my country and serving in the Navy is how I wish to do this. There are many job opportunities and skills that the Navy can teach me. I can be a technician like my grandfather, a lawyer, recruiter, nurse, pilot, security, etc. In the process of becoming an officer, I will be trained by some of the best people in the military including a Marine Corps Drill Instructor.

Another reason for joining the Navy is the hopes that by entering military life, I can be instilled with discipline, which is something I severely lack. You know how long it took me to sit down and write this piece? A grand total of three days; it took me three days to write what could have easily been done in twenty minutes or less. The bottom line is, it takes me forever to get a task done, and I'm hoping with discipline I can keep my focus to get a job done.

Regardless as to what you may think of my choice and my reasoning behind it, my mind has been made up. I have been envisioning a life in the service since my freshmen year of high school. The only difference now is the branch I will be entering after I graduate college in May 2017. Thank you for taking the time to read this if you did; it means a lot.