Promotion Ceremony

My promotion ceremony occurred on 01Jan24. We returned from Japan on 01Jan24 early morning so it wasn't an ideal date in that respect. However, Allison, the kids, and I had the day off. Also after being passed over, I was excited, and being #5 on the lineal list this was the first day eligible. It occurred at 1400 on a Micronesia Divers Association boat I rented for $700. This allowed up to 40 guests. We had 44 people come but Captain Bill let it fly. It is Guam. We had Pizza Hut. I planned on smoking a brisket but did not have time. The ceremony was Captain Barrows Captain Hoyos and Allison at Spanish Steps. The dolphins were not playing so we snorkeled at Finger Reef. It really went well.  

This goal was incredibly important to me. Getting passed over, and evaluating my need for external affirmation was even better to finally achieve my goal. In the dental corps, we are not dogma constrained so 06 is hard but possible. I saw this as a goal back in 2003 as many dental school role models were retired 06s. The goal mattered not for the rank or pay. No one cares about a dentist 06 and I am donating 100% of the pay difference to UMKC School of Dentistry. The goal mattered in that a lot of people I admire happen to retire at this rank. I am not there yet, but I am closer than in 2003. Also to mark off requirements to be competitive I did many things I would not have otherwise done and these had value (JPME1 EMBA SWIMDO FMF MILESTONE etc.)  It was and is the journey, not the destination. The Navy is more than a job to me, it is a way of life to me. My life would not be the same without the Navy. I meet Allison through being stationed at Bethesda etc. I appreciate the Navy and want to do right by the Navy.  I hope to live up to those mentors who have made this honor possible. I am at terminal rank for me, but the Navy promotes not based on what you have done but on what it hopes you will do is the common phrase thrown around.

January 2024

Our cruise to Japan was so exciting, it was nice to get through all the traveling and pretty much a push for 'tradition' since October.  Since Damon had leave for 2 weeks, pretty much all of January he was on call so we couldn't go all that far away.  We went to the beach just on base and the pool.  Most weekends I am just so tired from the week it is just putting up the water slide and the boys playing with the neighbor kids.  At the end of January Damon flew out to DC for a course and got to spend some time with family in Bethesda which was great since Damon wasn't with us last summer when the boys and I visited.  While Damon was away, Owen and I totally rocked his Thomas Jefferson project. The MSC Bellissima came to a port call on Guam! It was fun to go see our former home for 10 days just not that long ago.  Milton loves to talk about the MSC Bellissima. Owen loves Willy Wonka so he was super thrilled to go see the new movie.  And dressed the part, of course.  Top hat and everything.  We love going to the base theater.  You can't beat $3 tickets and just a short bike ride to get there.  The popcorn is always fresh too. We found an overlook park just next to the hospital that overlooks Hagåtña (the capital of Guam). 

Tokyo, Japan

On our last day on the MSC Bellissima, we got a guided tour to Tokyo.  That tour also got us guaranteed disembarkation 4 hours earlier than our scheduled time as per our cabin number.  It also got us a ride to the airport instead of having to figure out the train again.  We had intentionally scheduled our flights for the next day so we got dropped off at the airport and then got the hotel shuttle like we did our first night.  The tour from the ship took us to the Tokyo Tower and also to Senso-ji.  All of the temples are so beautiful with the intricate architecture and attention to detail.  Our flight didn't leave until later in the day so that morning we got a taxi to the Naritasan Shinshoki temple and grounds.  My parents would have absolutely loved that garden.  It was a misty rain which made all of the stonework shimmer. There was a wonderful stillness inside the garden that I really loved.