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365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 283

Howdy blog fans. Perhaps today’s title and the image post are dead giveaways for today’s thanksliving motif.

Early this morning, we heard from our swabbie daughter that she’s been selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander (LCDR), a rank of O-4 (equal to a Major in the other branches). This is one of the larger promotions in the Navy for officers, and the first, perhaps, that’s not a given. Okay, earning the rank of full LT isn’t exactly a given either, but well over 90% are promoted.

Hallie was commissioned in May 2017; this summer marked her ninth year on active duty, surpassing her dad. I never thought in my wildest dreams (years ago) that she’d one day be pinned with gold oak leaves upon her collars and wear the shoulder insignia of a LCDR.

Back when I sailed the seven seas, I was practically afraid to talk with an officer of that rank or higher. I mean, I wasn’t, but I never initiated the conversation if you catch my drift. It was one of those “you speak when spoken to” type of things.

Officers of her current rank (LT) almost always earned my respect. But those higher in rank and service always earned my respect, ear, and gratitude. By then, not only could they talk the talk, but they’d walked the walk also. They knew their stuff!

My kiddo has busted her hump to prove herself. She’s come a long way. Her early years in NROTC at Purdue were challenging, almost losing her scholarship and future career on one occasion. During those years, her toughest critic made one immensely insightful observation: “The smartest officers don’t always make the best officers or leaders.”

She learned early on from her dungaree-wearing dad to always take care of her people, and in return, they’d take care of her. She’s taken that to heart. She’s learned from her mistakes and always strived to be the best leader at all times ­— never afraid to roll up her sleeves, get her hands dirty, and do as expected of her sailors.

One story has never left me regarding the kind of leader my daughter’s become. When a large fire broke out onboard her ship, she didn’t abdicate responsibility or bark an order. Instead, she jumped in line, grabbed the firehose, and fought the fire with her crew. Then, when the danger subsided, she helped bail the water and clean the mess. When told by a senior enlisted: “You’re an officer, you don’t need to do that,” she replied: “Yes I do! This is my ship too.”

Soon-to-be LCDR Almas is the kind of officer I always hoped to serve under.

I’m grateful for my daughter and her service to this great nation; and tonight, I’m likewise thankful the Navy has recognized her dedication, devotion, and determination to continue the legacy handed to her. As you can tell, I’m one proud dad and former sailor.

To my daughter, Hallie N Almas, Bravo Zulu, kiddo! You’ve done more than I could’ve ever dreamed!

Thank you, God, for molding my daughter into the woman, mother, wife, and naval officer she’s become. She’ll make a formidable ship’s captain and admiral someday!

What are you thankful for today?