Since I met David, his dream and goal was to go to college and be a Submarine Officer in the US Navy. That opportunity came when he received notice on December 24, 1993 that he had been accepted into the US Navy program called NECP (Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program). This program allowed David to stay in the Navy as an enlisted person, receive pay, benefits, etc. and we had to pay for David's college. They (the Navy) does not have this program anymore and few people were accepted into the program. He put in college applications to the University of Washington in Seattle and Auburn University in Alabama. David was accepted at both but he chose UW because neither of us had been to Washington State and it seemed like a good place to go. With the NECP, you have 36 months to complete your degree. He did and received an Electrical Engineering Degree. (He also has a Masters which he received when he was stationed in Memphis TN). After completion of his degree at UW, he had to go to Pensacola, FL for OCS (Officer Candidate School). It is three months long and by no means is it an easy time for the candidates. We were very fortunate that most of the family (except Christopher and David's sister, Nikki) were able to attend (and that is a lot of people). When I think of this ceremony, I get very emotional. Not only was almost all of our family there, but David had achieved something he had worked very, very hard for.
Waiting for the Pass and Review
David getting sworn in
David getting his first salute and giving his first salute as an officer from/to Dan. This is one of my favorite pictures from that day and sets me off crying every time. This was kind of neat to me because David was the lowest rank as an Officer and my brother-in-law, Dan was the highest rank of an enlisted person. Both David and Dan have achieved so much.
First Salute Tradition
The first salute is a long standing 19th century tradition that requires newly commissioned officers to give a silver dollar to the recipient of their first salute. Navy tradition states that you have to buy your first salute and then earn every salute thereafter through your performance by gaining the respect of your subordinates. Today, naval officers "paying" for their first salute is considered a way to show respect for those superior enlisted personnel who helped the officer achieve commissioned status.
David giving Dan a silver dollar.
The first salute is a long standing 19th century tradition that requires newly commissioned officers to give a silver dollar to the recipient of their first salute. Navy tradition states that you have to buy your first salute and then earn every salute thereafter through your performance by gaining the respect of your subordinates. Today, naval officers "paying" for their first salute is considered a way to show respect for those superior enlisted personnel who helped the officer achieve commissioned status.
David giving Dan a silver dollar.
David saluting his Company Drill Sergeant and Chief
Are they not handsome in their uniform?!
Class 06-98
Mum, Kathi, Carla (David's step-mum), Dad, Jim (David's dad) and David
Susan (David's mum), David, Daniel (David's brother) and Amanda (David's sister)
And this is one of the few pictures we have of all of us girls together, Tammy, Kathi, Kim and Lauri
Tammy, Dad, Kathi, Kim, Mum and Lauri
My husband has done a great job in the Navy and the Navy is better for having him first as an enlisted person and now as a Submarine Officer. Our next adventure with the Navy is with David as the XO (Executive Officer, second in command on a nuclear submarine). David is starting SCC in January (here on Oahu), we are moving to Kittery, Maine in March 2010, Norfolk for a couple months and finally Guam. This should be an interesting and possibly a bumpy ride. But I would not have it any other way.
David, I am so very proud of you and thank you for every opportunity that you have given Christopher and I in the past 19 years. I love you!!!
