Someone that has influenced me

I grew up with four brothers and one sister and the four of them helped my parents take care of me and my little brother. As I was growing up, I had a best friend. My brother Jose, was the one that was always by my side when I would cry because there would be monsters under my bed or he would be the one that would play hid and seek with me when I was bored. He and I grew up to love and care for each other.
When I first entered Roosevelt High School as a freshman, he was already a senior. He helped me get through my first year and at the same time, we were both enrolled in JROTC. I like military things so I thought that it would be interesting to enroll. I was at first scared because my instructors were all about being serious and I was just a silly kid. When we first wore our uniforms, I saw the medals, cords, and ribbons that Jose had, I was amazed and I wanted to have all those shiny medals. I told him about it and he told me that if I just work hard and do what I am told to do that I would earn it and also earn their respect.
I worked hard everyday. From reading the manual book about the JROTC history, marching in a perfect line, to facing movements I was then picked to take the Corproal exam which is the highest rank that a first year cadet can receive. I was scared of the exam, but Jose stood up with me all the nights to learn all the ranks, history, and marching. It was my goal to be one of the Corproals and I wanted to do my best.
The day came where I had to be at school at 6:30am and wait to be called to take the test. But before leaving the house, I looked at my uniform, and told myself that my uniform is not going to look plain as of today. As I went in for the test, I was nervous at first, but as soon as I reported in to my Commander, I felt a little bit ok. It was only a 10 minute thing and when it was done, I came out with tears to my brother because I was happy that I took this oppurtunity.
The day passed and they announced the winners. I was promoted to a PFC, a Private First Class, which is the second highest. It was ok, at least I got something out of it.
Jose was proud of me and I was too. He said that if there is anything that I want, that I should have confidence and believe in myself. And years passed and I got promoted, by my senior year, I was a MAJOR, which I was in second in command. When the Battalion Commander was out sick, I took over. So that meant that I had 230 cadets in control. It felt great and even though Jose is now a proud U.S. Marine, he will always be my best friend.