When thinking about loved ones or Veterans serving in the military, you might not need to go far from home to show our appreciation! MIDN Melissa Cortese, Saint Viator Graduate from the Class of 2017, has been involved in the military lifestyle since her freshman year of high school and was a cadet in Wheeling High School’s NJROTC unit.

“I enjoyed my experiences so much that I decided to make a career out of becoming a Naval Officer” said Cortese.

Cortese earned the prestigious honor of being accepted to the Federal Service Academy. Only around 1,200 applicants, out of the thousands who applied, are granted admittance to each Academy.

“I am humbled that I was one of the lucky few who the Naval Academy chose to appoint to the Class of 2021,” said Cortese.

She describes the application process as being “much more complex than a regular undergraduate college, which involves gaining a nomination from a member of Congress, performing numerous amounts of interviews, passing a rigorous medical examination and physical fitness test and showing a strong academic and leadership record.”

She goes on to explain why she chose the career path she did by saying, “I wanted to join the military because I wanted to challenge myself morally, mentally and physically every day. I believe that being an officer in the military is one of the only jobs in the world that challenges you in all three of those aspects every day. I also have a profound passion for wanting to serve my country with like-minded individuals who believe in fighting to protect the ideals and freedoms that this country was founded upon.”

Cortese decided to enroll in the Navy as opposed to other military divisions because of the opportunity to drive a warship.

“Being out at sea and traveling all over the world are things that attracted me to the Navy as well,” said Cortese. She also expressed her interest and love for the Navy Summer Whites and describes them as the “coolest uniform.”

Deciding to enlist or pursue a military career is not an easy decision, but Cortese was not alone. She sought out a few veterans as mentors who helped her choose the right branch and path for her. But most especially, she looked to her grandfather, who was an Air Force Officer, as a role model.

“I admire how he continues to show the officer values of integrity, respect and dedication in every action that he takes. His example has inspired me to strive to show those values and become the best officer for not just myself, but the people who I will one day lead,” said Cortese.

Her advice to those who are also considering joining the military, is to seek advice from a veteran or an active duty service member about their time in the military. This way, aspiring military applicants can learn about the vast amounts of opportunities military life has to offer and also hear about service experiences to judge if the military life is something they are interested in pursuing.

When asked about her training and military involvement so far, Cortese responded by saying, “During my short five months that I have been at the Naval Academy, I have accomplished things that I never thought were imaginable. One thing that I have learned is that when you think you are done and you want to quit, you always have 10% more effort that you can give. It will always be there, you just have to find a way to dig down deep to discover it.”

Cortese’s main message to students is a challenge: to show the utmost respect whenever in the presence of a veteran or active duty service member, and thank them for their service to our country.

Military members sacrifice so much to defend our country. Whenever possible, we as citizens should take the time to thank them for their service.