When and why did you decide to join the military and where were you located when you made this decision?

I grew up on Long Island, NY and decided from a very early age that I wanted to be a pilot in the Navy. I remember seeing F-14 jets flying over the Grumman factory when I was 5 years old, and that made a lasting impression. When I was in high school I learned about the Naval Academy, and that quickly became my first choice for college.

Where did you serve during your time in uniform?

For most of my 11 years, I was stationed in San Diego, CA. From there I deployed to the Western Pacific, Arabian Gulf, and Horn of Africa several times.

What were some of your key memories during your time of service? 

I don't remember too many of my flights, but I remember a lot of the landings! One time the aircraft carrier forgot I was still flying, and they turned off all the lights on the flight deck. We landed without them anyway. I also remember flying across the country to help with Hurricane Katrina relief. It was very dark, and eerily quiet because almost no other aircraft were flying and nobody was talking on the radio.

What is an important value that you took away from your military experience? 

Accountability. The military is a big team, and people you've never met or heard of are depending on you to do your job. It is still very important to me that I follow through when I say I am going to do something for someone.

 What advice would you give someone interested in joining the military? 

There is a broad range of jobs and experiences within the military, so the best advice is to learn what you want to do. Read books, watch YouTube (carefully), and most importantly talk to veterans.