Ten Years of Service and Still Lookin' Good

It's been a big week for my handsome husband, Lieutenant Lovemuffin. Earlier this week, he finally had his very first day of Air Force pilot training (and just a couple weeks ago, he promoted to First Lieutenant!)

Yesterday, however, was a big milestone for him. It marked exactly TEN YEARS since he first joined the US military. I don't say the US Air Force because he enlisted in the Army first, way back in 2006.

Dan was in between his junior and senior years of high school when he went to his very first basic training (of three because of USAFA) at Ft. Benning in Georgia.

Since his enlistment in the Army, he has played in the Army band, performed funeral honors for many veterans, transferred to the Air Guard, trained to become a B-2 Crew Chief, received acceptance to the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, earned the Top Science Student award, receive an appointment to the Air Force Academy, worked hard to earn a Bachelor's degree in Physics while competing on the flying team, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, attended the Air Force Institute of Technology and earned a Master's degree in Applied Physics, and started pilot training to fulfill a long-held dream.

I'd say he's accomplished a lot in his ten years of service, but he is itching to finally REALLY get out there and serve his country instead of being in classes!

Really, I just thought he deserved a huge shout-out for all of the hard work he's put in over the past ten years! I love how selfless he is to defend our country, and I am so proud of all he has accomplished and all he will achieve for the rest of his career!

No More Butter Bars: Promoted to 1st Lieutenant

On Saturday, May 28th, Dan promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to 1st Lieutenant in the US Air Force! It had been two years since he first commissioned from the Air Force Academy.

Since he's in between jobs right now (aka hasn't started pilot training yet but is already at the base waiting on casual status), there was no promotion ceremony. There are a few others this affected as well, and I'm pretty bummed no one recognized them... so I made sure to make him put on his flight suit with his new rank to at least acknowledge his accomplishment with a photo... or a few.

I know this promotion is automatic in the Air Force, but I am still incredibly proud of my hard-working husband. He has an insane work ethic, so I just know he's going to crush pilot training (which he starts REALLY soon, guys!).

Out with the butter bars... in with... more bars! No catchy nickname for this rank, but it's still so fun!

He has his ENJJPT patch showing in the bottom right... I love it and am so excited for him to get started!

Veterans' Day Transformation Tuesday

On this Veterans' Day, I share with you a Transformation Tuesday. On the left, you see 17 year old Dan when he first enlisted in the Army 8+ years ago in 2006. On the right, you see 25 year old Dan, a newly commissioned officer in the Air Force. How times have changed! Thank you to ALL who serve this great nation of ours and keep us safe!

I thoroughly enjoyed looking back on his high school baby-face! We didn't know each other then, so it's always fun finding old photos.