Thanks also to your Staff, Claude Skelton your Protocol Officer, and C3C Steven Brandt from 13th SQ for escorting us, and C1C Daniel Barringer, who is getting ready to begin a similar Navy journey – more on the Cadets later.

And to my fellow Bulldog classmates – John Betz and Tom Lash. I’ve missed you over the years and your presence completes this event.

To my Mom & Dad (Mom couldn’t be here) for their endless support and channeling my energy so positively… getting me to this place.

My wife Judy and Son Allen & Daughter Morgan – all busy back in VA, pursuing their own transitions, for their love, reinforcement and support.

I’ve wanted to Fly for as long as I can remember. At first, I didn’t know why, but it’s what my Dad did… and growing up in AF communities, it’s what everyone’s Dad seemed to do.

So I set out to pursue my dream, and coming to USAFA, to facilitate that dream, became my focus throughout H. S.

When I arrived here, it was everything I expected. Tough, disciplined, and challenging. What I didn’t expect is that my vision would slip, and my dream of flying was fading my Junior Year.

So I looked into the Navy, and discovered that they would not only welcome me in their tactical aviation program, but also offered me opportunities to command. So I pursued my dream to cross services at graduation and into flight school through another service.

It took courage to leave the comfort of AF Blue, but my dream was worth it. This institution, the Academy, was pivotal in helping me pursue my dream – with the support of my parents.

In the Navy, I discovered camaraderie very similar to what I learned to appreciate at USAFA – in my squadron – the closeness and feeling of belonging.

In some ways, going to sea was like being here again… but in a good way, doing something I believed in.

In the Navy, I felt like I was making a difference… in the air, on our missions, with my maintainers and crew, and to our Nation.

It was easy to believe in Naval Aviation and in our Navy. If felt like I was finally in my element – making a difference every day… and doing something I believed in.

I was fortunate – in the opportunities the Navy afforded me; Sq Command, Carrier Command, Carrier Strike Group Command, flying Phantoms Tomcats & Super Hornets, and finally Command of all Naval Aviation.

Looking back, I was lucky.

Lucky to have a Mom & Dad that were my role models and heroes – a Test Pilot, Command Pilot, and Wing Commander, and challenged my thinking & decisions Lucky to have the opportunity to come here, where I learned time management, the value of camaraderie, honesty & challenged me to focus on tasks at hand Lucky to serve in the Navy – where everything I learned at home and at the Academy were applied. And to apply what I learned to make a difference – every day – in decisions, in the lives of those who worked for me, to our mission… all while believing in our leadership, my wingman & shipmates, and our mission – leaves me with a sense of satisfaction & accomplishment.

And lucky to have an incredible family – wife Judy and son Allen & daughter Morgan – all amazingly successful and supportive.

I missed my classmates, over the years, and coming back here is like returning back after a long deployment… proud of what we’ve done, but relieved to be safely home.

For the Cadets – have the courage to pursue your dreams.

And for the Academy – have the courage to help make those Cadet’s dreams come true.

The AF Academy made a difference in my life… and those I served with in the Navy.

I believed in the Academy then, and I still believe in this institution today… it will continue to make a difference and shape our military through the careers of their graduates, and make dreams come true.

God bless the AFA, our Navy & Nation. Thank You