Getting an MPA Program at Princeton University - a Key for Success

My hands are shaking as I hold the radio in the Strait of Hormuz. My voice cracks as I state, “We are a sovereign United States warship operating in international waters.” The same Iranian gunboats that opened fire near an aircraft carrier days prior now circle my ship. Amid the tension, a voice calls over the radio, “This is the Iranian Navy: what are you doing here?” Looking this Iranian gunner in the face, I realize something: I’m outside my comfort zone. I faced this challenge and many others like it on my 50,000-mile deployment across the world in 2018 and 2019. Now, as I look to the future, I am ready to tackle the challenge of attending Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School in the MPA program. Whether drafting the Pentagon’s trillion dollar budgets or negotiating fishing rights in the South China Sea, I will make decisions in a complex economic environment. Princeton will provide the education and skills necessary to succeed. As I delved into the Princeton supplemental essays, I eagerly embraced the opportunity to share my personal journey, academic aspirations, and dedication to making a positive impact, all while demonstrating my deep alignment with Princeton's values and mission.

I was in the Strait of Hormuz because the Navy needed to escort oil tankers through the Strait. Ninety percent of commerce flows over the seas; so it was easy for me to see the importance of what I was doing. At Princeton, I will remember why I’m studying - the Navy is in dire need of officers who understand global economics. Military strategy and economic goals are unified by educating members from each sphere. At Princeton, I will gain the experience and expertise to merge these perspectives, connecting civilians and the armed forces to produce unified foreign policy.

I have always been committed to public service because of my roots. Seeing the Twin Towers fall on TV as a child, swearing an oath to support and defend the constitution at the United States Naval Academy, and saying goodbye to my sobbing wife in San Diego pulling away from a pier all left an indelible mark of service on my life. This reflection on the past gives me the courage to face an uncertain American future. At the WOO, I will apply this desire to serve and use my diverse experiences in the past to contribute to the classroom.

I plan to study economics and public policy, specifically the U.S. - China relationship. I have served in both the East and South China Sea and I see our nation’s future inextricably linked with the economic mammoth across the Pacific. I heard whispers of a rising China during my time at the Naval Academy, but now they are full throated shouts of concern. Are we tiptoeing on the brink of global war? Do we need a modern-day Paul Revere to sound the alarm? Or do we need to stay the course of inviting China into the global world order? Taking a class like The China Model with Professor Rory Truex would help me distinguish between sound analysis and false ideas masquerading as foreign policy. China is like dynamite with great potential for both good and harm: I need the WOO to teach me how to properly handle it.

Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School will accelerate my career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. My goal over the next 3-5 years is to make an impact on the Pentagon budget office. The Pentagon manages trillions of dollars each year, and I believe that my strong background coming from Princeton would enable me to immediately impact the international economy. My dream job is as an Admiral in the Navy because of the impact that I could make, and I believe that Princeton would set me on a trajectory to command at the highest levels. I already have leadership experience: as the Executive Department Head on a Guided Missile Destroyer, I led 340 men and women on a journey across the world. However, to become a flag officer in the Navy, you need to set yourself apart even further, and I believe that obtaining an MPA from Princeton is the best way to do that. The knowledge and access that I gain at Princeton will place me strategically ahead of my peers both in performance and in the estimation of Navy leadership. Princeton’s MPA program will undoubtedly provide the background necessary to meet any leadership challenge I will face, and will significantly contribute to the success of my ambition to lead as an Admiral.

When navigating through the Princeton University supplemental essays, I embraced the chance to express my genuine passions, unique perspectives, and unwavering commitment to academic excellence, all while showcasing my potential contributions to the vibrant Princeton community. Now, as I apply to Princeton, I look forward to leading in another challenging situation. As a Navy Fleet Scholar, my entire education is funded and I have a guaranteed job after graduation, so I am free to focus solely on contribution and creating value for the school. I will use my MPA in every future leadership assignment, whether that is testifying to Congress on new budgets or serving as an economic advisor to the White House. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Princeton’s tight-knit cadre of professionals to become better leaders, and this access to diversity of thought and background will be the true value of my education. I seek to study in Princeton’s environment that commands excellence, fosters higher level thinking, and strengthens my leadership in a way that will advance my career. Armed with a degree from Princeton, I will have the global perspective that I need to turn theory into practice and serve as an effective policy maker.