Ringing Endorsement

EJHill
EJHill Staff
139
 

“The job’s not done until the bell is rung!”

The United States Merchant Marine Academy Class of 2026 has been slogging away this week in an attempt to pass all seven sections of the Coast Guard 3rd Mate Licensing Exam. 

This afternoon, those that passed the 7th and final section gathered on the Powell Oval to ring the bell and start the countdown to graduation on June 22.

The handsome kid in the picture? Well, not really a kid anymore. But he belongs to me. And he will soon be a newly christened Ensign in your United States Navy, assigned to flight school at Pensacola NAS.

It’s been a helluva journey these last four years. The rigors of the Academy were leaps and bounds ahead of those in high school. The school itself – built in 1943 – has infrastructure “challenges.” There were battles with mold. Battles with boilers that no longer boiled. An unexpected flood (or two) from ancient plumbing. There were 330 days at sea, including being caught in a war zone with the 6th Fleet after October 7, 2023. There were trips with Greek mercenaries around the Cape of South Africa to avoid the Houthis. There was navigating the CCP spy ships in the South China Sea. There were the rigors of learning to command, first as a company commander and then as a battalion commander. There’s the Captain Lawrence Jarett Excellence in Law Award to be presented at convocation. You know, typical college experiences.

Tonight, a dinner of celebration with his mates. They may be “Third Mates” to the Coast Guard, but they’ll be best mates for a very long time. 

Acta Non Verba. 

 

Published in General

There are 13 comments

  1. Bob Thompson
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Congratulations to you and the new Ensign and I wish him the best at Pensacola!

    • #1
  2. EJHill
    EJHill
    @EJHill
    Post Author

    Bob Thompson: Congratulations to you and the new Ensign and I wish him the best at Pensacola!

    Thanks, Bob. My job is done. Four out in the world as productive citizens. 

    • #2
  3. Instugator
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Congrats EJ. Wish the new Ensign Bravo Zulu from me. My eldest son is a 2014 grad of USMMA.

    • #3
  4. EJHill
    EJHill
    @EJHill
    Post Author

    Instugator: Congrats EJ. Wish the new Ensign Bravo Zulu from me. My eldest son is a 2014 grad of USMMA.

    That almost makes us family. You can tell him not much has changed in the last twelve years on campus (or the last two decades, for that matter.)

    • #4
  5. Nohaaj
    Nohaaj
    @Nohaaj

    He has so much to be proud of.  Truly awesome.  

    So do you Dad.  

    We are in debt, and admiration for his accomplishments, sacrifices and excellence. 

    • #5

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