Cheers to Captain
4 years ago today Michael said the Military Oath of Office as he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. At the time he was also a day away from being a college graduate, and a month away from being a husband. Being there for this initial oath was such an exciting moment. One that held our entire future in it's hands. To think that 4 of those years have already flown by blows my mind! And yet I am reminded of all the adventures that lay ahead.
“I, Michael Ceci, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”
Today Michael became a Captain. His dad emailed his entire mail list to let them know (ha), so he has been receiving congratulations all day. He has shied away from them since all airmen are promoted to Captain at 4 years of service (barring any incredibly stupid actions on their part), so to Michael, it does not feel like an accomplishment. What I have to remind him is that just because it was "automatic" and we see Facebook posts and pictures of all of his fellow Academy grads getting promoted (except the pilots... no time for ceremony when you are deep into training I suppose!), he DID work for this! He spent 2 years getting a very difficult degree in Public Policy, graduating top of his class. We moved to Columbus, MS for him to complete undergraduate pilot training in 2 different planes where he did exceedingly well, and now we are in Jacksonville, AR completing the last leg of his training before EUROPE! We have created so many amazing memories with wonderful friends, but there have also been a ton of late nights that blended into freakishly early mornings, weekends and months away for training, failed tests, tough instructor pilots, and piles of stress and studying. THAT is what has made this promotion worth celebrating. Four years working terribly hard so he can serve both his country and our Lord to the best of his ability. Cheers to that, and Cheers to Captain!
This is how we celebrate promotions ;)