Deyanira Rodriguez
08/31/11
I will never forget the day when I got a visit that turned my plans after high school completely around. The weather was comforting; it was between the changes of season from winter to spring. Before the visit, I was in my JROTC classroom. My senior year in high school I actually obtained 3 JROTC classes due to me having the highest rank of leadership known as Battalion Commander. My army instructor, (the JROTC program was army based),1SG Segers received a phone call from the main office saying that I needed to leave class and come there because I had a visitor. While walking on the sidewalk towards the office I was automatically able to recognize who my visitor was. It was my Marine recruiter, SGT Powell. I was able to know this because of the clothing he was dressed in; specifically his Class B military issued uniform. Usually when a student at the high school has a visitor they are expected to meet in the Guidance Counselors office. He was standing in front of the office door when I noticed him, but suddenly I saw him walking towards me (getting further away from the expected destination). At first I thought to myself, “Maybe he’s just trying to meet me half way and we’ll walk the rest together.” When we finally reached a distance to speak to one another we exchanged the usual “Hellos” and “How are you doings”. But something just didn’t feel right. My premonition told me this when I could hear the tone of his voice was not how it usually was. SGT Powell was the very playful and exciting type of person, however today he seemed to have a more serious and sensitive mannerism. He then asked me to come with him to the courtyard (a place located in the midst of the high school). This started to raise the alertness within my inner self knowing he wanted to meet in a totally different location. Then more tension rose when he said the four words that puts any human being on the edge, “China, please sit down.” Afterward he said, “I have some news.”
“Okay, what’s going on? I asked. He hadn’t even told me what he needed to say, but for some reason I felt my stomach churn and felt nauseas from the nervousness of whatever news he had to deliver.
“China, I’m very sorry to come this way but before I say anything I’d like to tell you that I truly have had a pleasure working with you,” SGT Powell said. Every little phrase he spoke I took into consideration of the words he was speaking. At this point, I thought, that he just said had, past tense. What did this mean?
“I’m not sure what your trying to say sir, but please don’t bead around the bush, what did you come here to say?” I asked with my voice shaking.
“China, I’m here to inform you that you have been disqualified from the United States Marine Corps, due to the percentage you scored on your Pulmonary Function Test.” He said. I knew this wasn’t the type of news someone plays about but I couldn’t believe it. He had to have been joking, right?
That’s when I said, “SGT Powell you’re always trying to mess with me, if you’re playing please stop because you know how much this means to me, and how long I’ve waited for these results.”
He replied, “For some reason I knew you were going to respond this way. That’s why I’ve come to you in person and I actually have the letter that delivers the news, its in my car if you’d like to see it.”
Finally I said, “Okay then let’s go to your car I want to see the paperwork that you supposedly have. “I saw him reach into the backseat of his car for his black suitcase. Then he handed me a letter. And the letterhead read “Department of the Armed Forces.” And the letter did say exactly what SGT. Powell said. And still I wouldn’t accept the news. I even had the audacity to accuse him of writing the letter.
I didn’t except the truth until I saw his eyes fill with tears, and he said to me, “I’m sorry.” It was then when this became a reality to me. I felt the knot in my throat growing bigger and bigger, and the tears fall on my cheeks. I then asked him if he could call my mom and explain to her, because I knew there was no possible way I could’ve without having a bigger meltdown then what I already was. After the tears SGT Powell told me that I could try again, but I’d have to wait a year (which would be the upcoming January).At the time I couldn’t tell him my plans and I asked him to give me a couple of days to think and I would get up with him, and I thanked him for delivering the message in person, and said goodbye.
The rest of the day until I got home was a huge blur of thoughts. All I could do was think to myself and wonder how and why this could’ve happened to me. This is all I ever dreamed and hoped for was to serve in the Marines. No other branch, just the Marines. The was so embarrassing knowing that I was the Battalion Commander of a military program and one of the biggest athletes in the school/community and wasn’t automatically accepted.
When I arrived home my mother already knew how to except me. She was well aware of the situation and the heartache of disappointment that I was experiencing. As soon as I walked through the door I could smell the aroma of Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes ( my favorite meal). She walked with me to the den and told me she needed to speak. I was sitting on the couch with my backpack located on the floor, while she was just a few feet away sitting on the computer chair facing me.
She said, “China, I know you’re sad and upset, and understand I am too. Please don’t let this get you down. Just remember Everything Happens For a Reason”. I repeated the words inside of my head and I took complete trust in her.
I replied, “I know. I already was thinking of my plans, and I want to let you know I’m going to give this another shot. I spoke to Mrs. McKinney today and arranged for me to get started on my Bright Futures. I plan on attending Chipola in the meantime of all of this.”
She said, “Good, I want you to stay productive, because there’s no reason for you to not go to college while you wait.”
“Yes ma’am”. I said.
I had a back-up plan but never thought I would have to use it! Everything began to flash before me. And I knew I had to get on the ball on scholarships and applying for a college (which I hadn’t done yet) so I would be doing something productive in the meantime. I contacted SGT Powell two to three days later and told him I wanted to try again. This entire decision making took place about February. This meant I had at the most two chances to make the qualifying ACT score for Bright Futures (and might I add I never took the ACT; all I ever focused on was the military; I even made an above average score on their ASVAB test). The first ACT test I took I was two points away from qualifying. This meant I only had one more time left. With the Lord’s help I finally passed.
My overall goal in life was to serve in the Unites States Marine Corps, then go to college to eventually become a Psychiatrists, working in a mental institute. And I guess that’s the tricky part that sometimes things don’t go your way and you have to remember “Everything happens for a reason.” Nowadays, I’m attending Chipola, and I guess you could say getting a head start in my college career. I’m still planning on giving my dream another shot the January, and I followed my mom’s advice “Everything happens for a reason”. January I guess will be when I find out what that reason particularly was.
