A leadership opportunity that led to a light-bulb moment
"During my time in Colorado Springs, I was like a kid in a candy shop. Not only did a light-bulb moment take place regarding my future, that experience helped me truly enjoy everything that took place around me. My eyes lit up when I saw Air Force cadets in uniform because I want to wear that uniform one day, protect the Constitution and represent a country created from that document."
- Women's basketball cadet-athlete Alicia Porter
Earlier this year, Alicia Porter was one of four Cal Maritime cadets selected to attend the Air Force Academy's National Character & Leadership Symposium. Joining the Simi Valley native on this trip to Colorado Springs, Colorado, were Spencer Powley (men's water polo cadet-athlete), former men's water polo cadet-athlete Danny Guzman and Justin Pham.
"I was recommended for this conference last October when I received a text message from one of the commandants. I expressed my interest and followed the application schedule from there. Since this was the first time I participated in this process, I was excited to see everything take place as the academic year progressed," said Porter.
"Like one's character, leadership is something I can always strengthen since I work each day on being the best person I can be and fulfilling my individual potential. I am a servant-leader," she explained, "that is the style that best relates to me and a leadership style I feel comfortable possessing. Character and leadership go hand in hand, who I am as a person is strongly influenced by who I am as a leader."
Also piquing Porter's interest, outside of the phenomenal opportunity to strengthen her leadership skills, was the location of the event itself.
"I have known for a while how big a deal this conference is, especially since I am interested in becoming an Air Force officer once I graduate from Cal Maritime."
A trait valued by Porter since she was a kid, her inaugural experience with the concept of leadership took place when she played youth sports and became a team captain. That experience created the foundation for her personal identity and professional goal; while certain of a career in public service, she entertained thoughts of becoming a firefighter or following her uncle's footsteps.
"I dreamt about becoming a firefighter after my elementary school teacher's husband visited my class and shared what he did for a living. Until I entered fourth grade, that was my only goal —becoming a firefighter."
Porter added, "when I researched the Academy as part of an eighth-grade project, I discovered the position of Air Force firefighter and made that my ultimate professional dream. After talking to my uncle, who is in the Air Force, he and my mom stressed the importance of college and the value of earning my degree.
"In high school, I had this epiphany: What if I attended college, eventually learned to fly and entered the reserves? I could work for Cal Fire, and that career path would provide the best of all worlds for me. Even though my dreams shifted and evolved growing up, attending that Symposium and being on base brought everything full circle."
Once materials were submitted in January, the remaining steps of this process timed out perfectly for Porter once informed of her acceptance to this world-renowned event. After the Keelhaulers' women's basketball team returned to Vallejo, following its season finale in Southern California, she attended two classes the next morning before heading to the airport with Powley, Guzman and Pham.
Arriving to the Academy provided a much-needed respite for everyone involved, one that helped this quartet plan their upcoming days accordingly, thanks to an app that listed times and locations for various workshops and participating speakers.
Cal Maritime's quartet of Symposium selections enjoyed two luxuries throughout the week: Staying on campus made it convenient to travel from one speaker or workshop to another; since the same set of presentations were offered both days, this provided opportunities for individuals to enjoy events missed during opening day the following afternoon or evening.
As was the case with her college-aged peers, Porter soaked up every ounce of wisdom provided by an extensive list of world-renowned leaders and professionals from the moment the Symposium commenced. However, unlike other participants, she enjoyed a unique experience when a light-bulb moment took place — one that hit her on a personal and deeper level.
"Strengthening my leadership skills was one expectation I possessed entering this Symposium, seeing how close I was to one of my personal dreams was another opportunity this event provided. I always wanted to become an Air Force officer, I even thought about attending the Academy during my high school career but chose not to apply and attend Cal Maritime instead to continue my basketball experience.
"Seeing that shift from dream to goal — while I was on the Air Force Academy campus, I loved the environment and enjoyed being that close to something that always interested me — validated my post-undergraduate plans.
"When some people get close to, or fulfill their dreams, sometimes reality does not meet expectations and one is left to figure out a new direction, personal or professional goal. That was not the case with me throughout my time at the Academy; if anything, it showed firsthand how I am on the best path for me and fueled my desire to return in the future.
"Being able to learn from an amazing lineup of speakers was a valuable opportunity that I am forever grateful to enjoy. Discovering tools that are beneficial to the role I hold now, while strengthening my leadership skills are positive elements that I gained from this trip," explained Porter, who was voted incoming Corps Commander by a committee last March by a select group that includes various Cal Maritime faculty, staff and members from the Office of the Commandant.
"However, the clarity I felt about my future validated my life's choices, from an educational and professional standpoint. I felt that shift from a dream to a goal; attending that event allowed me to understand that I am on the right path, regarding what I want to do with my life after I earn my Cal Maritime degree."
That 'a-ha moment' sought by people throughout their lives not only provided a level of peace to Porter, it led to the answer for a question asked numerous times to herself in recent years.
"That moment of realization led to an immediate shift in body language and an enhanced feeling of pride. I take pride in my country; knowing someday soon that I will protect something bigger than myself was a firsthand feeling that did not take place, until that week, because I was surrounded by people who felt the same way.
"The speakers at the Symposium were high-end officers who spoke about their experiences and made me think 'I want to do what that person is doing. Twenty years from now, I want to share my experiences with someone like me.'"
Porter added, "I am someone who likes to listen before responding, those seminars enhanced my personal experience while on base and helped me digest my moment of clarity."
Not many people are aware that Porter carries a notebook with her everywhere; in addition to reminding her about the steps and choices needed to become a positive person, that medium quickly became the home to information and wisdom obtained throughout the Symposium — additional tools she looks forward to applying as a cadet-athlete, team captain, and incoming corps commander.
"One thing that resonated with me involved leading by compassion, which is something I see in sports when individuals are praised with great emotion but criticized in a stoic manner at an appropriate time and location. Another speaker highlighted a strategy I can use during a negative situation: 'Everyone has battled adversity, if you feel bad for yourself during a negative moment, you cannot help anyone. Think about lifting weight in a gym — the more weight you lift on any given moment, the stronger you will become.'"
That last piece of advice reminded Porter of what took place during her freshman year — another moment (in hindsight) that personified wisdom received throughout her stay in Colorado Springs.
"In my life, one of those challenging moments took place when my stepdad passed away. He was the one who raised me, in addition to other people in my village. That hit me hard because it took place during my freshman year at Cal Maritime during peak basketball season. At that same time, the campus caught fire and I missed a week of school.
"Looking back at other challenging times in my life, I know how strong I am since adversity tests you while resiliency showcases your strength. Not only did I endure those situations, I realized that other people are facing challenges that are unknown to others.
"I want to become that compassionate component that builds people up and strengthens their resiliency instead of tearing them down."