He graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) on January 24, 2020.
It was a long road, but Spud finally reached his destination.
Spud has always been interested in joining the military as an officer. When he was little, we thought it would be an army life for him. He loved dressing up in camouflage and playing Army.
When Spud was in high school, he joined the NJROTC (Naval Jr. ROTC) group. He became the group's commanding officer during his senior year.
In college, Spud joined the Naval ROTC program.
Unfortunately, he did not complete the program and did not become a naval officer upon college graduation.
Spud still had the dream of becoming an officer in the Navy. He investigated all it would take to become an officer through OCS and proceeded to make it a reality. He talked to recruiters, he filled out all kinds of paperwork, took tests and had several Letters of Recommendation (LOR) written on his behalf by those who know him and his character. He had LORs from a retired Air Force Colonel as well as a Ph.D., just to mention a couple. He had done all he could from his side. Now it was a waiting game to see if he could be accepted into OCS.
He was accepted (as you already know). On October 6th, he arrived at our house from Jacksonville, in a U-Haul truck that was "packed to the gills" with his household goods. He would be here for only six days before he had to pack a bag and get on an airplane headed for OCS in Newport, Rhode Island.
Early in the morning of October 12th, The Colonel, Yam and I took Spud to the airport in Ft. Myers. We said our farewells and told him we would see him in January for his graduation from OCS.
We kept tabs on Spud and his OCS class (05-20) via its Facebook page. It was always great to see Spud in the photos.
Spud is second in line.
Spud is left of frame, in black glasses.
Spud was in OCS for 13 weeks. He was in Rhode Island in the winter time. This is a kid that has lived most of his life in SW Florida. He said it was bitter cold at times. He said he enjoyed OCS but was glad it was over.
The Colonel and I had plans to go to Rhode Island to see Spud graduate but his mother was not doing well. She had a broken arm and was in and out of rehab centers and hospitals. I too was in the hospital with what ended up being pneumonitis. So, I could not fly even after The Colonel's mother had passed away and we no longer had to care for her. Spud understood our absence. Yam flew to Rhode Island and represented the family and Spud's girlfriend was there too. The Colonel and I were able to watch the graduation as it was being streamed live.
Spud's first salute as a naval officer
Yam and Spud
Spud and Kalilah
Spud had a long row to hoe but his persistence and dedication paid off. He never gave up on his dream!
Congratulations Ensign!
Spud is now at his first duty station. He is back in Florida...in the Panhandle. He has rented a little house near base. We had to gather and co-locate all of his household goods so that we would have them ready for the movers to pickup and deliver to Spud's new digs.
The Colonel and I moved everything into our garage. Spud's things took up less than half of our garage. I could have sworn the U-Haul truck had lots more in it when we helped Spud unpack it.
There were two guys working the move. The Colonel and I are old hands when it comes to military moves, but it had been thirteen years since our last one. The packing and loading of Spud's things went well. It took just under two hours to complete. The weather was perfect too.
The last item in the truck was Spud's couch.
It was good to have our garage space back again....
...but it is even better having Spud realize his dream and be settled in his new place.
Well done, Spud. Congratulations! Aunt Jenn
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