Creating an opportunity to excel is hard work.
Spc. Christian Ackerman lives and breathes this idea.
"He is an outstanding young soldier who has a great plan for his future," wrote Capt. Joseph Siemandel, his company commander.
Ackerman's road to creating opportunity for himself - and his country - begins in July at The United States Military Academy's Preparatory School.
Gen. Maxwell Taylor, then superintendent of the Academy, established the school in 1946.
Located on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point Prep prepares cadet candidates for West Point with a foundation that will last them beyond admission and well into the future as Army leaders.
The preparatory coursework is 10 months in duration and focuses on English and Math. The success rate of cadets attending the school is more than 80 percent.
Admission is open to enlisted personnel from the Active, Reserve and National Guard force.
"I want to continue to serve and improve," the geospatial imagery analyst assigned to the Washington National Guard's 81st Brigade Special Troops Battalion said.
A graduate of Auburn Mountainview High School and a community college student, Ackerman joined the Guard two years ago.
"Spc. Ackerman is one of those citizen-soldiers that is taking the steps to get to that next step in his career," continued Siemandel.
The thought of attending West Point first crossed Ackerman's mind after talking with a newly commissioned lieutenant who had attended West Point.
"We talked for a while, and after that conversation I knew I want to go. I was determined to go," he said.
Ackerman said that he is interested in the academy's engineering program and would like to continue to work in the intelligence field.
For those thinking of applying to the preparatory school or attending West Point, Ackerman advises that applicants be clear in their goals and apply early during the admission's process.
"Make sure this is what you want to do," he said. "This is a serious step, and you have to be ready to go."
Siemandel agreed.
"I know he will succeed at West Point Prep and make a great Army officer."
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