Proud Parent of a Private First Class: From College to the Corps

Parenthood brings us face-to-face with unexpected choices. We envision familiar milestones for our children, but sometimes, they forge paths we hadn’t anticipated. Recently, I celebrated an extraordinary milestone - not something I had ever expected, but something built on courage, resilience, and an undeniable call to serve. After leaving high school and going directly into his undergraduate studies, my son chose not to pursue the conventional paths of further academia in graduate school or going directly into industry. Instead, he embraced a deeper purpose and joined the United States Marine Corps. And with immense pride, I stood by his side for his graduation as he earned the title of a United States Marine. Always earned, never given!

Watching him make this difficult choice months ago - and witnessing the transformation it sparked - for all of us - has given me a profound respect for the courage it takes to step into the unknown. His decision wasn’t about rejecting one opportunity but embracing another, one that challenged him to grow in ways a classroom or a company could never provide. His choice, grounded in a fierce desire to serve and learn, called him into a journey built on discipline, resilience, and strength of character. Standing with him on the day he graduated from boot camp, I saw in his eyes a spark of hard-won pride. He did that!

“Sure, the DI's yell at you and push you past your limits,” he laughed, when I asked. “But sooner or later, they have to eat and sleep, and so do we.” He embraced the early mornings, the rigorous routine, and even the all-hours-of-the-day-and-night wake-ups. His pride wasn’t just in surviving the training but in thriving within it, finding meaning in each challenge, study harder, learn more, collaborating and understanding the deeper value of team support, effective communication, survival skills, and learning to apply the philosophies and morality that he grew up reading about but not truly connecting with - until bootcamp.

What many may not realize is the depth and breadth of education that Marine training provides. It’s not just physical endurance but mental readiness that prepares them for a world where adaptability, resilience, and honor are paramount. With extraordinarily high ASVAB and IQ scores, my son had the rare opportunity to choose his assignment, a privilege that has opened doors to specialized training in intelligence, technology, linguistics, and beyond. Soon, he’ll be equipped with skills and insights that will turn even the best in Silicon Valley green with envy. I couldn’t be prouder of the future he’s crafting - one that honors his calling and his noble character.

I treasure these moments of family time because they are rare. After this graduation, I will no longer know the details of his journey - where he’s stationed, what he’s doing, or why. It’s a unique gift of pride and humility, as we savour the few times we do get to see each other. This recent visit was our first in eight months, offering only ten precious hours together over three days. We made every moment count.

In parallel to his journey, I’ve taken time to step back and reflect. Traveling, reconnecting with my American family, and pausing from the constant chatter and pulse of AI development, education, and policy work, I’ve given myself the space to consider the work I do, the goals I hold, and the enormous changes I know are on the horizon. Major shifts are coming - not just in my life but in Global Politics, AI, governance, and education as a whole. And in this pause, I’ve found a renewed focus. There is wisdom in stepping back, just as my clever son did, to consider if the path forward is still the right one.

Something very exciting is coming in my professional life. In one month, I’ll be unveiling a new venture - an endeavour that merges my dedication to AI, my commitment to K-12 education, and a vision for a future where technology serves humanity thoughtfully and responsibly. This next chapter represents a purposeful choice to step forward with clarity and conviction, and I’m eager to see it take shape.

My son’s decision to carve his own path reminds me of a powerful truth: a meaningful education isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about embracing who we are and where we’re meant to go. His Gen Z generation isn’t willing to compromise on that, and they shouldn’t have to. They are demanding an education that challenges, prepares, and respects them - and I believe we have a duty to listen.

So here we are - a mother and son, both on the cusp of new beginnings, both choosing our futures with purpose. If there’s one lesson I hold close, it’s this: life’s most profound education comes when we pause, listen, and follow the paths that call us forward.

Semper Fi!