A Deeper Understanding

          So far, I have become acquainted with my mentor. He often tells me, "I feel bad for not having something for you to do," but I'm usually fine with making conversation and asking questions as to what he does. You see, Captain Hankle goes to different schools and other locations and sets up Marine booth. He travels all over Southern California and a few pacific islands, including the Hawaiian Islands. So when it comes to being in the off, he is taking in appointments and making  phone calls.
          So as I started thinking beforehand, I knew I wanted to become more proficient with the different acronyms and other terms that Hankle often uses when speaking to other Marines and his colleagues. One example of an acronym that Hankle uses often on the job is OCS, which means Officer Candidate School. Since he is a Special Selections Officer, he often refers to OCS. Another example of an acronym is PME, which means Professional Military Education. In order to advance as  officer, one would need to complete PME in order to be qualified to advance.
          I also knew I needed to understand how the ranking of officers worked and what the difference between enlisted officers and reservists was. So Hankle showed me how the ranking of an officer worked. You would enter in as a Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and General. He then explained that enlisted officers are the ones who carry out orders and officers are the ones who facilitate and manage the enlisted. Reservists are the lay-by-and store soldiers, so if we needed more soldiers, we would grab from the reserves.
          So as my mentorship continues, I feel I'm already gaining the knowledge to see if the service is a possible career path for me.

Blog 9: EQ

Content

1.   Review this.  Confirm by stating "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."
Essential Question
Once a topic is chosen, the student will develop a working essential question.  The purpose of the working essential question is to help the student build a strong foundation of research which will allow him or her to create an essential question that encourages depth and rigor in the chosen topic.  An essential question must:

• Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
• Takes a stance (Allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
•  Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)
• I've reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2.  Review the following EQs and

• Tell us if it meets the rule of 3 criteria.
• Tell why it does or why it doesn't

 a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

• This doesn't follow the rule of three. It's asking for one answer and not expanding on the topic of weight loss.

 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

• This EQ is not following the rule of 3 because it's still only asking for one answer.

 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

• Yes and no. Its still looking for a single answer, but it has added more depth as in what is being studied.

 d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

• Yes, this question does follow the rule of three. It clear states what is being looked for and the focus of the study.  It's straightforward

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.

• What are the most significant qualities an officer should possess and how are they applied?

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

• What are the most important qualities an officer should possess?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format. 

•  One of the most important qualities to posses as an officer is dependability, because as an officer, you would need to be trusted on both the field and at peacetime when you are working with others.

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

• The first interview with my mentor has been extremely helpful. It might not seem like it had a lot of information, but he helped gear me into a better path which helped me to find some answers for my EQ.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

• My mentor is Captain David Hankle and he's a special selections officer for Southern California and the Hawaiian Islands. He looks for different qualities in the people he recruits which is how his work relates to my topic. There are 14 personality traits that are valued in the Marines and he looks for people who will showcase those traits and represent the Marines well. 

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

• I would be working on my Girl Scout Gold Award project. What I am doing is planning an event with Operation Military Kids to help create birthday packs to be given to kids who have parents deployed in the military. I would be in charge of booking the location, bringing in donations, promoting the event, and running the event itself. I'm would be completely in charge of everything.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

• I already have to complete 60 hours, so I would be taking pictures of the event and of my final paperwork I have to submit to the Girl Scout Gold Award Board.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

• Girls Scouts greatly depends on leadership skills within its organization, especially at the level I'm at in Girl Scouts. This would allow me to improve on my own skills and put newer skills into action.

Leadership

  
       As I discussed my plans and the senior project with my mentor, he suggested a topic in which I would be able to really appreciate the military. My mentor, Captain Hankle, told me about how important leadership was to the Marines and how much more versatile the topic of leadership would be for me to focus on. I felt switching my topic to military leadership would be a better fit for me.
      The reason I feel my focus should be on leadership is because of my background. I've gained a lot of experience with leading in Girl Scouts and in the American Legion Auxiliary. I've also had opportunities in my school life. I've choreographed dance numbers for plays and have taught many people how to dance. Throughout my life I've been learning a lot about leading others, and I feel can improve on my leadership skills. I feel this project will benefit my character in this way.

Blog 6: Second Interview Questions

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?

• My mentor is Captain David Hankle and he works as the Selections Officer for the Marines. He is in charge of Southern California and the Hawaiian Islands. He works all over Southern California and the South Pacific region.

2.  What five questions will ask them about their background?

• How long have you been in your position and how did you achieve it?
• What type of education is needed for your position?
• What do you do on a weekly basis?
• How do you feel your position will help me better understand military leadership?
• How do you feel your efforts will better improve military leadership?

Blog 5 Project Reflection and Working EQ

The Pentagon: 
(1) Positive Statement: What positive thing happened as a result of what you have completed so far?

• I have finally found a mentor who can't wait to start working with me. I had trouble finding someone who wouldn't keep me as an after thought, but now I have finally found a promising mentor..

(2) EQ Content:  Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

• My interview has helped to guide me in a better direction with my project. I didn't know what aspect of the military I was going to look in, but now I'm more confident with studying military leadership. 

(3) What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

• The research that I have found has been working really well for me. I have been able to find good articles and books that have been really good with explaining different aspects of my topic.

(4) What hasn't worked so far?  

• I haven't had luck with finding a stable mentor.

(5) Finding Value:  

•  What is a potential question you would like to study this year?  (working EQ)

Working EQ: What are the most important qualities an officer should possess?

•  What do you plan to do for mentorship?  If you haven't found a mentor yet, then discuss where you are currently looking and who you are talking to find it.  

I have finally found a stable mentor. I plan to shadow him and learn more about what he does. I also plan to help him with tasks in the office. He is also going to see about going to Camp Pendleton or LAPD for ride-along.