One might say that the self and society are contrary images of each other, but at the same time this leads me to postulate a more dialectical approach to the question of whether the self and society cannot be seen in the same light, in the same structure and in the same mutual relationship. The commonality between the two to find those intertwined threads that they both share is what I will try to show. This is important because society, in shaping the individual and how that individual needs to learn social responsibility to fulfill the role they play within that society, requires a person to look beyond their own needs and personal desires. Military veterans did it. That said, from a social perspective it could be understood as such, but I find myself wondering: who shapes society if not the individual? Ten years in the military taught me one thing and one thing well, how to survive. Even with the service-connected disability I have now, I continue to persevere, but I noticed that the methods and techniques used to do so stemmed from a selfish sense within me. This has kept me first and everyone else second, with me now and you later. Back as a member of society, I realized that ways to overcome adversity did not lead to the desired results once sought. The taking, necessary to allow me to survive, had to be converted into giving, and the adaptation to new circumstances and situations in sharing. My adjustment to civilian life took time. Even my graduate school aspirations would not be possible if it were not for the Department of Veterans Affairs. It only makes sense to me to want to go back to the... middle of the paper I intend to serve and to myself. This is stated by competence, a value of the social worker profession. In addition to the fact that I will need a Master of Social Work to become licensed as a social worker, a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California will provide me with the in-depth and specific training I seek, with a sub- concentration in “Military Social Services and Veterans Services.” With my life experience and history within the military I can contribute to the knowledge base of the social work profession and specifically our military veterans and service members. I can't wait. Thank you so much for this opportunity and I look forward to becoming a graduate student in the School of Social Work and a family member at the University of Southern California.