Choice of Georgetown University as an Army ROTC Cadet: Reasoning Behind Selection
New and Improved: Georgetown Student's Unorthodox Journey as a Military Leader
Welcome to another installment of the Student Life Blog, where Georgetown students share their personal experiences and life at Georgetown. Today, we're chatting with Annabelle Black (SFS'25), a senior in the School of Foreign Service with a zest for international politics, Spanish, and diplomatic studies. She's also the cadet command sergeant major of the Hoya Battalion and a distinguished military graduate.
Get ready to be intrigued—Annabelle's background is a fascinating blend of military tradition, cross-continental moves, and a thirst for service. So, where's she from, you ask? That question takes a twist in her case. Her father's 25-year stint in the U.S. Army shapes her story, as they migrated almost every two years for the first 18 years of her life—bouncing around the southeastern U.S. and finishing high school in Germany.
The sight of her father and his comrades from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment kindled her ambition to serve. While the seed was sown from day one, it wasn't until high school that she truly contemplated her calling. Quoting E.B. White, "as long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time," Annabelle believes now, more than ever, is the time to serve.
For Annabelle, the allure of government and politics, combined with a fascination for foreign languages, drew her to the U.S. government—the very entity that decided her family's life's paths, thanks to security and defense policies. With a four-year ROTC scholarship in hand, she chose Georgetown—the perfect place to embark on her journey as a foreign service expert.
Life as a cadet at Georgetown goes beyond the regular college experience. Long days are the norm, with physical training, military science classes, and Field Training Exercises (FTX) at Marine Corps Base Quantico peppering her schedule. Yet Annabelle is never one to shy away from a challenge. Add being a member of Georgetown University Dance Company, a club climbing team member, and a part-time worker for the Army Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Task Force to the mix, and you've got a truly packed schedule.
With aspirations to move into Civil Affairs, eventually becoming a Foreign Area Officer, and linking the Army with foreign governments as an Army diplomat, Annabelle is confident in the world-class education she's receiving at Georgetown—the ideal preparation for her intricate, future roles.
Putting it all together, Annabelle's story is one of resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of her dreams. To her, service is more than a call—it's a passion fueled by a rich tapestry of experiences. As she prepares to graduate and commission as a Second Lieutenant in May, we're pretty certain Annabelle's story is just getting started. Stay tuned!
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- Annabelle Black, as a cadet at Georgetown, is not only receiving a traditional college education but also undergoing skills-training for her future career as a military officer.
- The student life at Georgetown for Annabelle is filled with more than just academic learning, as she balances military science classes, physical training, and leadership positions like being a member of the Hoya Battalion.
- Annabelle's education-and-self-development journey at Georgetown is geared towards career-development, as she aims to become a Foreign Area Officer and eventually an Army diplomat, linking the Army with foreign governments.
- Annabelle's personal-growth and passion for service have been fostered not only through her academic studies at Georgetown but also through her involvement in extracurricular activities such as the Georgetown University Dance Company and the club climbing team.
