Personal Statement

“Who’s leading? Martin, you’re leading and keeping a count of this squad.” At that moment everything I knew through my 17 years in my life has just been erased, I, Martin Neria, have to lead and help my squad through the five days at Summer Seminar at the United States Naval Academy. 

Waking up every morning at 5:30 to workout was grueling. However, the task of leading and helping others when they were about to give up and the discipline it instilled helped me overcome the horrendous non-stop workouts 

After arriving to The Naval Academy, we took our first steps and acquired our PT gear. The first day was pretty hot as we were running through the fields and getting to know each cadet in sport activities. All 5 days were interesting - taking the  Candidate fitness assessment, completing C- Trails and just in general living the life of a college student and a cadet. The friendships that were created in morning and afternoon PT and daily classes showed me how to be a better person and how to treat others. It was tremendously tough but the lessons that were taught stayed with me.

Summer Seminar taught me morals like “If not me, then who…?” This moral made me see life from a different perspective than others might see it, and it taught me how to be a better person for myself and others. It taught me to take a stand and push my limits through senior year and classes I will take in college. It taught me to help others when they are feeling alone and wanting to give up. It doesn't matter if you’re on a lone road, you do what you have to do to succeed and make a change. If I don't do it, then who else will? 

The discipline I learned at the United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar also taught me to have time management and to plan accordingly. We didn't have someone holding our hands or knocking on the door to say it's time for formation. Instead, they said what time we needed to meet and told us to get our priorities straight before going anywhere.  

The relief of having a new family for a few days and knowing you are a part of something is profound. It is amazing how you don't know anyone walking into the program but you leave having a bond with everyone. Summer Seminar taught me to be a better person and to work well with others in an unbelievable manner.