syncroid, food for thought, your daughter should have a backup plan in case aviation doesn't pan out.

My son picked aviation, got selected and when he went to aviation school, he was rejected due to his eyes were still having problems since his PRK surgery. He initially passed the eye exam but then told the Doc that he was still having intermittent problems. They them gave him a more detailed exam and gave him a class B rating. Good enough for the private sector but not for the military.

It shattered him at the time but now 8 yrs later, he has a wonderful job at FEMA.

Fantastic......love this thread. Don't be afraid to update more often.
Let her know that there are a lot of people here that are as proud of her as mom a dad.

There are a few of these threads, featuring the best young folks we know...the coolest thing about being an Ensign is you don't have to be one for long.

Aviation is a hard nut to crack: anthropomorphic measurements is just the first step.

I so wish her well, come what may: Her willingness to serve, stand the watch is the second step.

The Third Step is up to her, figuring out how to lead regardless of her warfare specialty. It is all about war, folks.

Harsh but true.

My best to your young warrior.

My nephew wanted EOD, but his friend from high school got that slot, so he took the Marine option. He's a hard charging Marine!

Dan, she had to have flown over my house last summer! both of the t-34Cs ( white and dark blue) fly over my house every day headed to Miramar.

You are so correct with your last statement. A hard one to swallow for a parent for sure.
Emma is 5' 9". Tall and lean. Flight size shouldn't be an issue if she chooses.
She went out on a Sub for a few days and had no like or dislike of it. Meh!
She loved the ride along in the T-34 trainer. Her Pilot was retiring two weeks after her flight and asked if she wanted to have some fun. "Hell yea!" Loops and Rolls! I know. They are not supposed to. He did! Perfect! She loved it! Yes, she puked! Non-deterrent for her.
Sorry it has been so long since the last update. I got a really bad taste in my mouth from all of the internet jockies that roasted me on the 3.2 motor build thread that I built to sell (and sold). They have no clue what it takes to build a quality motor!
I also have been buried with work since purchasing the shop that I have worked at for 20 years. I purchased the shop with my business partner that I have worked with since 1982. Yep, we have logged more hours together than any other human being. Ack! More then I have logged with my wife!!!
Really looking forward to surprising her for her birthday.
I thank each and every one of you for the kind words and encouragement in this thread.
I mean that!

More to come....

Looks great Dan! If she decides to fly, I can't imagine regretting that choice. Has anyone ever regretted doing that? Everyone flies in their dreams...

Hey Dan...congratulations on your business endeavor! I have/had no knowledge of the roasting on the 3.2 - but whatever it was - those pinheads didn't know who they were dealing with. You've been nothing but pure class in my eyes.

Please do continue to post updates as time allows. You have many supporters here who enjoy them very much! SmileWavy

Glad to see she stuck with it! Actually watching Navy- Memphis right now on ESPN.
Speaking of which, do we have any Pelican’s that make the Army-Navy game?
Sorry for off-topic, I’ll post a new thread on that

Your favorite is awesome. Love it. But I think I like this one a tad more. She looks focused and calmly confident.
Such a great journey for your whole family!
Soooo cool.

Please pass on "Fair winds and following seas".

FC2 Davis, SW/AW, '86-'92

Just a quick update. Per my daughter, I am not allowed to add any pictures today.
Today was Service selection day. This is a very big deal! This is the moment that all Mids School for, Try for, Live, Breath, Eat......etc.

My fearless daughter is now selected as "NAVY PILOT"

TODAY, being Service assignment day happens to also be the day Emma got the chit for her jaw reconstruction surgery. We (the mom unit and I) are currently in Maryland to be with her for her recovery. We flew out from California Wednesday 3:45am, now 7:00pm East Coast time . Only six hours of sleep so far. Glass of wine in hand....finally!
That is why NO pics allowed.

OMG! I cannot believe how proud of this young and strong woman I have as my daughter.

You all will be safe with her having your back! I promise that!

Beezus! That is beyond awesome!! Congrats to Emma, Dan and the Mrs!!!

Congrats!

Thank you Scott. Still pinching myself. She's on the phone right now with boyfriend. He also got his preferred service selection as NFO (Naval Flight Officer) Pensacola is next stop for both. Hot damn!!!
It looks like a lot of her other close Mids got Pilot too. Class of 2021 rocks!

This is fantastic news for her, you and your wife.

Job well done by all!

Was reading just a couple of days ago that each service branch is needing pilots. She timed it just right. I can't imagine what it would be like to have her opportunity. I think they start out in Texan II's which (if so) is already the most awesome aircraft most will ever pilot and it only gets better from there. I'm so excited for her!

This is fantastic news, Dan. Congrats to you and your entire family!

I love updates like this! Hope they will continue as appropriate. I know I'm not alone here.

All the best to you and yours - and especially Emma!

Awesome news! She gonna be a fighter pilot?

That is awesome. Great Parenting. Very proud moment for all of us! Thanks for sharing.

DK3 Landis
USS Kitty Hawk CV63 91-95

Great news!! I hope the surgery goes well. Congratulations

Let me know if you need anything in Maryland while you are here for her surgery.

Made my day, btw. Flight school is not for the feint of heart but she will do well.

That is so great! I bet you are proud and meaningfully so.

My Grandfather was class of '44 active duty for 27 years and my father was NROTC in college and in for 22 years.

I have a 14yo son who has his heart set on following his Grandfather, NROTC at the same college. He broke his lower leg in the final freshman football game of the season last weekend and had a titanium rod put in the bone. The pediatric sports trauma orthopedic surgeon said his leg will be stronger than ever and not impact playing sports moving forward.

His first question during prep was if it would affect his dream to join the Navy. When we left the hospital he was wearing one of his Navy sweatshirts.....

Wow that is cool. All the hard work and sacrifices.

Hey buddy - Congratulations. A terrific selection for a terrific young woman!

YES! Most excellent Service selection! Looking forward to updates for sure.

Also, btw, and most coincidentally, the Navy correct my Class 3 malocclusion in '88. Mine required both upper and lower jaw correction. The first month was the worst for me. But I was 23, alone, and several hundred miles from family. All my shipmates had moved on to Pascagoula to Precommissioning, while I was left behind and moved into a single room in the barracks.

Most importantly, that surgery has improved immensely since then. My regular Dentist had the same and we chat all the time about how much better it is now.

Looks like my son will have the same. We begin appointments in January.

Having you both there will be so great for her. I cannot express enough how much it'll relieve her having your support the first few days.

You are all blessed, no question.

Please message me if I can assist in any way.

GO NAVY!!

Thank you Paul!

Thank you David!

I have Paul and David to thank for a lot of this. I pinged them both before Emma ever got inducted into the academy for advice. David, because his daughter was at USNA and is now a surface warfare officer, and Paul because of his Navy helicopter experience.
Both of you....Thank you!

Don, Just wow! You were in a world of hurt sir! Upper and lower at the same time, both sides. I have a brother in law that has had that too. His kids also went through it.
Emma looks right now like Sandy the squirrel from Sponge Bob Square Pants. :) And OH MY, Cranky does not describe how she is feeling. Not for the faint of heart to be around right now!

She already had it? Ah, got it.

Is she wired shut at all? Can she open?

mmm, Ensure...yum......NOT!

Oh yeah, Sandy is a Bad ASS! She's from Texas! There's worse to be compared to. Ha!

And our own Sandy, aka Crusty Chief, is also quite the BA. ;)

Do all USN Academy grads exit as LT's? Well, regardless of rank, congrats to the new ring knocker and may she heal rapidly and well!

WOW! Awesome, congratulations to the Middie and the parents. GO NAVY

And one more round of well wishes from me. Her willingness to serve is a wonderful thing, and I’m sure she will leave big tracks in life. Thanks are due to you as well for providing the framework for such a squared away young lady to emerge from.
We expect graduation pics... praying you get to attend by then.

Second Lieutenant (USMC) or Ensign (Navy).

One impressive young officer. Well done to you both!

Post graduation update.

Our seats at graduation.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1626641271.jpg

It's official. The diploma.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1626641271.jpg

Family photo.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1626641271.jpg

Headed up to shake Kamala Harris's hand and receive her diploma.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1626641271.jpg

New Einsign's Covers with new cover bags. The wings were presented to Emma by her flight mentor. (Romeo pilot)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1626641271.jpg

Wow!!!

Where is she headed?

She'll do great!!!

Pensacola Florida. Hot/Muggy/Bugs. :) Currently home with us for Basket Leave, then back to Annapoils for a couple weeks working on the Yard, Then off to Pensacola.

Congrats to you, your daughter, and your whole family, Dan!

You have a lot to be proud of, brother! :)

Perfect!

The key to flight school is to be ready for every flight: It is like taking a driver test at the DMV everyday!

Just so cool.

Congratulations to you and her. You should be very proud.

Even though I am Army still proud to see someone like her accomplish this.

Dave

That is what is so awesome about this place at its best, none of the rest of us could give her legitimate advice, as much as we might want to encourage her!

Great looking families in that photo, yours and the other one!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat6.gif

There is no uniform on earth that looks as good as USN dress whites, IMO. It makes people look like royalty, but in an American way, of course.