Company Grade Officer of the Quarter

May 11, 2007

Philip has strongly protested my adding this post, but I am a proud of what he does and the integrity, character, humility and selflessness with which he does it.

A few days ago he mentioned in passing that he had won the CGO of the Quarter for the Wing for the quarter. I was like "WHAT?!?!?!?" CGO = company grade officer which includes the ranks of 2nd lieutenant, 1st lieutenant and captain (field grade officers are majors, lt. colonels, and colonels; general grade officers are 1-4 star generals). Philip was named the CGO of the quarter in in squadron (the group of offices that work with Air Mobility Squadron). From the squadron he competed at the group where he won as well. From the group his quarterly award package went to the wing where he was selected for the award.

He initially tried to write it off to me as "it was my turn to win the award in the squadron" (his squadron is relatively small) - however I pointed out to him how that didn't explain the group or wing nominations. Then his reasoning was that he was simply fortunate to have bosses who were able to take the time to write his award package very well. However, his commander reminded him on Saturday night while we were all out that "you've got to give someone some straw to spin to get any gold." His boss thought it was pretty cool that Philip got this honor as a second lieutenant.

These are pictures from waaay back when Philip first comissioned in May 07. He pinned on his rank one week before our wedding. Wow. So much has happened since these pictures were taken! We have both learned and grown by leaps and bounds (and still have a looooong way to go :) Every step has been by God's grace and God's grace ALONE. It was kind of sad looking at his comissioning pictures tonight remembering one of his classmates and friends who has already been killed serving his country. . .

Taking his oath w/ Col. Bartholomew




it was a STRESSFUL week - his medical clearance came through only after a phone call from a higher-up minutes (when it was supposed to be months) before the ceremony. . . we were so relieved to have this papework signed. . .

Funny incident @ work today: I was playing a game with the girls where you describe a word to your partner in an attempt to get them to guess it. I was describing "3 muskateers" in the "person" category and all that I could think to ramble on about was the chocolate bar. I was going crazy, "it's the candybar that is like a milky way but without the carmel!!!!!" I just kept getting blank stares. WELL, turns out they don't have 3 muskateers bars here and that their milky way bars do not contain carmel (only mars bars do). We all had a good laugh.

I had a great day hanging out with the girls. Though the power went off at about 3 this afternoon. It was getting cold and dark fast by the time I left. I really hope that the power came backon soon after I left!