Below are some brief success stories of various people throughout the military. They joined the military and made something of themselves. Will you?
SGT Leroy Durrah
74 Bravo
My name is Sgt. Durrah, and my duty is 74 Bravo, which is computer information analyst.
What intrigued me about this MOS was actually working with computers, learning how to network them, if you will. The software and hardware that the Army uses is not different from anything that any big business or corporation uses right now.
So if you're looking at networking as a career, and not thinking that it ties over to the outside, you're sadly mistaken -- it works hand in hand. The training that I've received in the Army set me up for bigger and better things on the outside.
I'm looking at becoming a network administrator, and that's something that businesses use all the time outside. Given my experience in the Army, I should fit right in.
I achieved the goals that I set for myself. At the end of my enlistment in the National Guard, I decided to go on active duty.
US Naval Academy Midshipman Courtney Davidson
College Hoops Star, Future Marine
From Marine Corps Recruiting Command
Courtney Davidson, team captain for the 2003-04 Navy women's basketball team, appeared in the 16th annual Mountain Dew College Basketball Slam Dunk and Three-Point Championships in San Antonio on April 2, 2004. Davidson is excited about her future in the Marine Corps.
"Through four years of training, I have learned a lot about leadership, self-discipline and time management," Davidson said. "I have had the opportunity to interact with and learn from Marine officers on the Yard. Also, the Naval Academy's summer training program gave me the opportunity to participate in an introduction to TBS [The Basic School] for four weeks in Quantico and allowed me to spend another four weeks with active Marine units at Camp Lejeune, N.C."
Davidson holds the Navy and Patriot League record for most three-point field goals made in a career, with 245. She also holds Navy records for the most points scored in a season (530) and career (1,857). Davidson is a two-time Academic All-American and became the first Navy women's basketball player to be chosen first-team All-Patriot League three times.
"I chose to become a Marine for numerous reasons. The pride of belonging, esprit de Corps, discipline and Semper Fi attitude all strongly appealed to me," Davidson said. "The Marine Corps demands great respect both domestically and internationally, and I wanted to be part of it. Additionally, I will be given both the privilege and responsibility of leading some of the finest men and women our country has to offer."
Undersecretary David Chu
By Rudi Williams
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON - There were only a few Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders serving in the armed forces when Chinese American David S.C. Chu, 58, joined the U.S. Army Reserve in the 1960s. Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army through the Yale ROTC program, Chu served in Vietnam in 1969 and '70 with the office of the comptroller, 1st Logistical Command headquarters. He was promoted to captain before ending his short military career, returning to Yale and earning his doctorate in economics in 1972.
Sworn in as undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness on June 1, 2001, Chu is the defense secretary's senior policy adviser on recruitment, career development, and pay and benefits.
"I'm delighted by the fact that it is no longer unusual to have Asians and Islanders in the ranks of the military," said Chu, the Defense Department's highest-ranking civilian Asian American.
"One of the great things about the American military is the degree to which people are accepted for themselves and not seen as different," he said. "They're seen as Americans and expected to contribute on a merit basis to do what we do. That's the standard everyone should hope is set for him or her."
Air Force 1st Lts. Marc and Brad Summers
Twin Co-pilots Support Operation Enduring Freedom
By 1st Lt. Christine D. Millette
40th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (AFPN) -- Born in Cincinnati, it would have been hard to guess that 26 years later, the Summers twins would be flying jets supporting America's war on terrorism from a forward-deployed location.
First Lt. Marc Summers, a 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron co-pilot who is forward deployed, and 1st Lt. Brad Summers, a co-pilot from the 32nd Air Refueling Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., are identical twins.
The twins graduated together from the same squadron at the Air Force Academy, and both went through undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, where Brad was one class behind Marc. The brothers' father was also active-duty Air Force.
"Usually we're stuck in completely different desert locations, supporting separate missions," Marc said. "It was very cool that we happen to be here at the same time."
While they live on opposite coasts and are working contingency missions constantly, the Summers brothers try to keep in touch on a regular basis.
"We talk about once a week, or once a month, depending on our deployments and missions," Brad said.
Airman 1st Class George Okorodudu
By Tech. Sgt. Jason Tudor
457th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England -- Airman 1st Class George Okorodudu admits with a wide smile he has nothing.
For the better part of two years, the Nigerian-born Okorodudu, a deployed supply troop here, has been building his American Dream with a foundation that's included an Air Force enlistment. Even as he waits for his U.S. citizenship to be finalized, Okorodudu is excited about what lies ahead.
"The American Dream is to start with nothing and to work your way up in the world," he said. "I'm excited to try this."
Staff Sgt. Ryan Brugman has worked with the airman for a little more than a year. Brugman, also deployed here, said if anyone deserves a below-the-zone promotion and to fulfill the American Dream, it's Okorodudu.
"George is very sharp and professional," Brugman said. "He has a great attitude, and his initiative is unbeatable."
Said Okorodudu of his Air Force enlistment: "It's awesome. I had to leave everything behind when I left Nigeria, but the Air Force met my needs and it was a good opportunity. I'm independent.
"It doesn't matter where you come from. It matters what you bring to the table. The cost is worth it. Freedom is worth it."
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