Elias Lykes '22 Recruiting Profile

I wouldn’t quite say my life so far is monumental. There isn’t too much drama nor is it too interesting, but in my eyes it’s peculiar. Growing up in a military family has its attributes. I've adapted the traits of being flexible and tough. I work well with others and my personality is extremely outgoing. I consider myself to be very optimistic and always eager to learn about new subjects. I’ve been told my leadership skills are phenomenal as well as my logical thinking. Throughout my life so far, my grandmother has been a major inspiration. She was a woman of many talents before passing away. A construction worker, housekeeper, security guard, and even an electrician’s assistant, She did it all!  Although every kid might hear the saying “You can do anything you put your mind to”, she was that living example for me. My heart has always yearned to be a part of the Armed Forces and serve my country. My grandmother was always persuading me to learn about different job positions throughout the military. It wasn't long before I came across the Navy and its SEALs. 

Navy SEALs are trained in several fields, but one that catches my eye the most is technology. Technology is ever-changing, there are always improvements to be made, similar to society or ourselves. Navy SEALs deal with electronics and really anything related to technology. I feel this job is perfect for me because growing up I found a niche for electronics. I love to dissect computers, phones, gaming systems, etc. Every system is different but how each one is put together and operates sparks a genuine interest for me. With this passion, I see myself fitting right in with the Navy community. Before all this is done I aim to acquire an undergraduate degree in Computer Science. Once I’ve earned my degree, I will then join the Navy for more options career-wise and the opportunity to serve my country. Not only that but my undergraduate degree will allow me to join the Navy as an officer. Making it easier to really show my intelligence and work ethic. I know my plan isn’t as easy as it seems, every journey comes with challenges along the way. But it’s more about the process than the product. I’m prepared to embrace and tackle any of the challenges to come.