Being a non-traditional college student has profoundly impacted my educational experience and future goals. As a former Naval Flight Officer with decades of military and aerospace experience, I bring a unique perspective to my aviation degree program at Liberty University that sets me apart from traditional students. My rich background allows me to contribute valuable insights during class discussions and deepens my understanding of technical aspects, enhancing my learning experience. The clear focus and motivation I have as a non-traditional student stem from my lifelong passion for aviation. Unlike when I was younger, I now have a crystal-clear understanding of why I'm pursuing this degree and what I hope to achieve. This sense of purpose drives me to excel in my studies, even when faced with challenging coursework or time management issues. Indeed, time management is one of the most significant challenges I face. Balancing my studies with family responsibilities and commitments requires careful planning and often means making sacrifices. However, this juggling act has also honed my organizational skills and reinforced my commitment to my goals. My age and extensive life experience give me a different perspective on education compared to my younger peers. I find myself approaching assignments and projects with a more practical mindset, often drawing on real-world examples from my military and professional career. This perspective enriches my own learning experience and allows me to share valuable insights with my classmates. Pursuing this degree later in life has had a profound impact on my future goals. It's serving as a bridge to transition from my post-military cybersecurity job to my dream career as an airline pilot and instructor. The program is providing me with the necessary certifications and knowledge to make this career change possible, despite starting later in life than most aspiring pilots. My experience as a non-traditional student has also reinforced my desire to teach and mentor others in the field of aviation. I've found that I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with younger students, which has strengthened my resolve to instruct at a college Aeronautics Department in the future. My involvement with the Civil Air Patrol further reflects this commitment to guiding the next generation of aviators. However, being a non-traditional student also means I'm acutely aware of the time constraints I face. I have "fewer years left in the cockpit" than most of my younger classmates, influencing my career planning and goals. This reality pushes me to make the most of every educational opportunity and to strategically plan my career progression post-graduation. Financially, my status as a non-traditional student has required careful planning. I'm pursuing scholarships to fund my education while preserving my GI Bill benefits for my daughter's future college expenses. This balancing act between my educational goals and my family's needs is a unique challenge that many traditional students don't face. Perhaps most importantly, this journey as a non-traditional student has reinforced the value of lifelong learning and pursuing one's passions. It's proof that it's never too late to chase a dream, even if the path to that dream is unconventional. My experience demonstrates how life experience can clarify personal and professional goals, leading to a more fulfilling career path. In conclusion, being a non-traditional college student has enriched my educational experience in countless ways. While the journey may be more complex than that of a traditional student, the rewards – both personal and professional – are immeasurable. This experience has not only prepared me for a new aviation career but has also positioned me to make meaningful contributions to the field and inspire future generations of aviators.

“You’re never too old to chase a dream,” and I’ve been chasing my flying dream for a long time. Inspired by the original Top Gun movie, I became interested in aviation as a high school junior. As a Native Hawaiian and son of a Marine Corps enlisted veteran, I was encouraged to join the Navy to pursue my dream while serving my country. As a first-generation college graduate in the 1990s, I was excited when I was awarded a pilot training slot, marking the next major step in realizing my dream. As Naval Aviation downsized after the 1990 Gulf War, my pilot slot was changed to a crewmember slot, meaning I would no longer be the pilot flying the plane. I was crushed, as my first attempt at the dream of becoming a pilot had failed. Undeterred, I selected the E-2C Hawkeye as my aircraft, which would still allow me to fly from an aircraft carrier. My first catapult launch and recovery aboard an aircraft carrier cemented my passion for aviation, making me determined to have a full career in the Navy. After two combat deployments, I transitioned from operational flying to aircraft design and acquisition for better family stability. In 2007, I started taking flying lessons but put everything on hold as I was sent to Afghanistan for an unplanned deployment. During my career, I had the opportunity to design the next generation of the E-2C. Though no longer flying, I stayed connected to naval aviation through assignments in aviation repair depots. Here, 15 years removed from operational flying, I served as a maintenance check crewmember, performing aircraft functional check flights, rekindling my love of flying even amid recurring aircraft emergencies. Despite not being a pilot, flying always gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. After transitioning out of the Navy in 2022, I initially pursued a cybersecurity career based on other’s advice. Unfulfilled, I realized aviation is an integral part of who I am so I started taking flying lessons again. Now in my early 50s, I rediscovered my identity and passion for aviation. I hope to pass on my aviation enthusiasm by becoming a flight instructor and airline pilot, allowing me to train and inspire the next generation of pilots. Though I have fewer years left to fly professionally than others, I am actively pursuing my dream again, and am convinced my message can inspire others by demonstrating that it’s never too late to achieve a dream. I recently began volunteering with my local Civil Air Patrol squadron to teach youth to fly and develop their leadership abilities through aviation mentoring. As a former JROTC participant, I understand the impact these programs can have. By combining my military background and passion for flying, I have an exciting opportunity to guide and inspire youth interested in military and aviation careers. I also volunteer with a local children's community theater group that uses performing arts to build confidence by having live show performances. It's amazing to see the confidence children gain. I plan to apply the scholarship money to help my training for instrument rating, continuing my goal of becoming a commercial pilot. I am currently enrolled in an online Bachelor’s degree program with Liberty University, allowing me to complete both flight training and meet the educational requirements that many airlines and universities are looking for today. This scholarship will help me pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot, without taking from money set aside for my daughter’s future dreams. After all, no matter your age, you should never stop chasing your dreams.

“You’re never too old to chase a dream,” and I’ve been chasing my flying dream for a long time. Inspired by the original Top Gun movie, I became interested in aviation as a high school junior. As a Native Hawaiian and son of a Marine Corps enlisted veteran, I was encouraged to join the Navy to pursue my dream while serving my country. As a first-generation college graduate in the 1990s, I was excited when I was awarded a pilot training slot, marking the next major step in realizing my dream. As Naval Aviation downsized after the 1990 Gulf War, my pilot slot was changed to a crewmember slot, meaning I would no longer be the pilot flying the plane. I was crushed, as my first attempt at the dream of becoming a pilot had failed. Undeterred, I selected the E-2C Hawkeye as my aircraft, which would still allow me to fly from an aircraft carrier. My first catapult launch and recovery aboard an aircraft carrier cemented my passion for aviation, making me determined to have a full career in the Navy. After two combat deployments, I transitioned from operational flying to aircraft design and acquisition for better family stability. In 2007, I started taking flying lessons but put everything on hold as I was sent to Afghanistan for an unplanned deployment. During my career, I had the opportunity to design the next generation of the E-2C. Though no longer flying, I stayed connected to naval aviation through assignments in aviation repair depots. Here, 15 years removed from operational flying, I served as a maintenance check crewmember, performing aircraft functional check flights, rekindling my love of flying even amid recurring aircraft emergencies. Despite not being a pilot, flying always gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. After transitioning out of the Navy in 2022, I initially pursued a cybersecurity career based on other’s advice. Unfulfilled, I realized aviation is an integral part of who I am so I started taking flying lessons again. Now in my early 50s, I rediscovered my identity and passion for aviation. I hope to pass on my aviation enthusiasm by becoming a flight instructor and airline pilot, allowing me to train and inspire the next generation of pilots. Though I have fewer years left to fly professionally than others, I am actively pursuing my dream again, and am convinced my message can inspire others by demonstrating that it’s never too late to achieve a dream. I recently began volunteering with my local Civil Air Patrol squadron to teach youth to fly and develop their leadership abilities through aviation mentoring. As a former JROTC participant, I understand the impact these programs can have. By combining my military background and passion for flying, I have an exciting opportunity to guide and inspire youth interested in military and aviation careers. I also volunteer with a local children's community theater group that uses performing arts to build confidence through live show performances. It's amazing to see the confidence children gain. I plan to apply the scholarship money to help my training for instrument rating, continuing my goal of becoming a commercial pilot. I am currently enrolled in an online Bachelor’s degree program with Liberty University, allowing me to complete both flight training and meet the educational requirements that many airlines and universities are looking for today. This scholarship will help me pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot, without taking from money set aside for my daughter’s future dreams. After all, no matter your age, you should never stop chasing your dreams.

“You’re never too old to chase a dream,” and I’ve been chasing my flying dream for a long time. Inspired by the original Top Gun movie, I became interested in aviation as a high school junior. As a Native Hawaiian and son of a Marine Corps enlisted veteran, I was encouraged to join the Navy to pursue my dream while serving my country. As a first-generation college graduate in the 1990s, I was excited when I was awarded a pilot training slot, marking the next major step in realizing my dream. As Naval Aviation downsized after the 1990 Gulf War, my pilot slot was changed to a crewmember slot, meaning I would no longer be the pilot flying the plane. I was crushed, as the first attempt at my dream of becoming a pilot had failed. Undeterred, I selected the E-2C Hawkeye as my aircraft, which would still allow me to fly from an aircraft carrier. My first catapult launch and recovery aboard an aircraft carrier cemented my passion for aviation, making me determined to have a full career in the Navy. After two combat deployments, I transitioned from operational flying to aircraft design and acquisition for better family stability. In 2007, I started taking flying lessons but put everything on hold as I was sent to Afghanistan for an unplanned deployment. During my career, I had the opportunity to design the next generation of the E-2C. Though no longer flying, I stayed connected to naval aviation through assignments in aviation repair depots. Here, 15 years removed from operational flying, I served as a maintenance check crewmember, performing aircraft functional check flights, rekindling my love of flying even amid recurring aircraft emergencies. Despite not being a pilot, flying always gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. After transitioning out of the Navy in 2022, I initially pursued a cybersecurity career based on other’s advice. Unfulfilled, I realized aviation is an integral part of who I am so I started taking flying lessons again. Now in my early 50s, I rediscovered my identity and passion for aviation. I hope to pass on my aviation enthusiasm by becoming a flight instructor and airline pilot, allowing me to train and inspire the next generation of pilots. Though I have fewer years left to fly professionally than others, I am actively pursuing my dream again, and am convinced my message can inspire others by demonstrating that it’s never too late to achieve a dream. I recently began volunteering with my local Civil Air Patrol squadron to teach youth to fly and develop their leadership abilities through aviation mentoring. As a former JROTC participant, I understand the impact these programs can have. By combining my military background and passion for flying, I have an exciting opportunity to guide and inspire youth interested in military and aviation careers. I also volunteer with a local children's community theater group that uses performing arts to build confidence by having live show performances. It's amazing to see the confidence children gain. I plan to apply the scholarship money to help my training for instrument rating, continuing my goal of becoming a commercial pilot. I am currently enrolled in an online Bachelor’s degree program with Liberty University, allowing me to complete both flight training and meet the educational requirements that many airlines and universities are looking for today. This scholarship will help me pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot, without taking from money set aside for my daughter’s future dreams. After all, no matter your age, you should never stop chasing your dreams.

Chasing an Aviation Dream “You’re never too old to chase a dream” and I’ve been chasing my flying dream for a long time. Inspired by the original Top Gun movie, I became interested in naval aviation as a high school junior. As a Native Hawaiian and the son of a retired Marine Corps enlisted veteran who never went to college, I was encouraged to join the Navy to pursue my dream while serving my country. As a first-generation college graduate in the 1990s, I was excited when I was awarded a pilot training slot, marking the next major step in realizing my dream. As Naval Aviation downsized after the 1990 Gulf War, my pilot slot was changed to a Naval Flight Officer slot, meaning I would be a crew member instead of the pilot flying the plane. I was crushed, as my first attempt at the dream of becoming a pilot had failed. Disappointed yet undeterred, I selected the E-2C Hawkeye as my aircraft, which would still allow me to fly from a US Navy carrier. My first catapult launch and recovery aboard an aircraft carrier was enough to cement my passion for aviation, making me determined to have a full career in the Navy. After two combat deployments in my first aviation squadron, I decided to transition away from operational flying to have better family stability. I applied my experience to aircraft and spacecraft design and acquisition. In 2007, I started taking flying lessons but had to put everything on hold as I was sent to Afghanistan for an unplanned deployment. During my career, I’ve had the opportunity to design the next generation of the E-2C and to sign a satellite I designed, before it was launched into space. Though no longer flying, I stayed connected to naval aviation through assignments in aviation repair depots. Here, 15 years removed from operational flying, I served as a maintenance check crewmember, performing aircraft functional check flights, rekindling my love of flying even amid recurring aircraft emergencies. Despite not being a pilot, flying always gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. After transitioning out of the Navy in 2022, I initially pursued a cybersecurity career based on the advice of others. Unfulfilled, I realized aviation is an integral part of who I am so I started taking civilian flying lessons again. Now in my early 50s, I rediscovered my identity and passion for aviation. I want to share that enthusiasm by becoming a flight instructor and airline pilot since it is one of the best ways to develop and mentor future pilots. Though I have fewer years left to fly professionally than others, I am actively pursuing my dream again, and am convinced my message can inspire others to do similar, demonstrating that it’s never too late to achieve a dream. I plan to apply the scholarship money to help my training for instrument rating, continuing with my goal of becoming a commercial pilot. I am currently enrolled in an online Bachelor’s degree program with Liberty University, which allows me to complete both flight training and meet the educational requirements that so many airlines are looking for today. As a military veteran, I do have access to the G.I. Bill to pay for college, but it is assigned to my high school-aged daughter so she can pursue her future dreams. This scholarship will help me pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot, without taking from the money set aside for my daughter’s future dreams. After all, no matter your age, you should never stop chasing your dreams.