You can’t really see it on my face, but twelve years ago today a nervous boy was checking in to The Naval Academy on I-day, not knowing exactly what his future would hold, but knowing that it would be worth it.
Fast forward to today, that same boy is an aircraft commander, flying with @nasa at @hsc23_wildcards and having the time of his life. It’s been a great ride, and I can’t wait for more adventures to come.
Thank you for all of my family and friends who’ve supported me along the way.
These photos barely capture the joy and happiness I’ve felt this week, and to be honest I’m still floating on cloud 9.
It’s always been a dream of mine to fly a Naval aircraft to my hometown airport, and also a dream to take an aircraft to the “boneyard” at Davis Monthan. Well, I was fortunate enough that the navy trusted @stuartlyster and I to fly bullet 41 to her retirement.
Along the way we got to see the magic of the flowing Colorado river, the beauty of the Arizona mountain ranges, and even wave down at my old high school!
Sometimes the Navy lets you do cool things, and I couldn’t be happier.
My journey through naval aviation certainly has not been a standard one. Many of you know what’s been going on and have been supporting me through everything, but for those that don’t know:
After getting back to flying a year ago, I found out that my medical paperwork with the Navy wasn’t correct, and it took a while to get it corrected - a whole year, in fact.
Don’t get me wrong, administrative processes have their place, but being out of the cockpit for a year after finally getting back to flying sucked.
I’m happy to say though that as of today, I’m back flying; and everything seems to point in the direction that I will stay flying for years to come.
So for all of you who’ve supported me through the ups and downs of my career so far, thank you. Thank you for believing in me, and not giving up on me.
One of my favorite parts of being a commissioned officer in OUR US Navy, is re-enlisting sailors. It always an honor when one of your guys asks you to be their re-enlistment officer, and it’s a privilege that I’m glad to have. #navy#usnavy#mh60#mh60s#reenlistment
