I mean, that must have been a big day for you, that's for sure.

A- a- absolutely, Sergeant Major.

You, you, you, to put it in perspective, you're talking about an individual who graduated his high school over two and a half decades ago.

And, you know, I could not imagine the journey that I was walking.

And, uh, since then, especially through all the deployments, all the combats, all the times away from home, uh, and then to walk across that stage and represent and know that I've earned a diploma.

And once again, you know, even though my grandfather, who inspired me to be here, uh, in the military, you know, he went on to get his PhD, I knew he was looking down and very proud that even though I ran into so many different obstacles, uh, it did not stop me from eventually, uh, crossing that finish line.

Because it doesn't really matter how long you take, as long as you cross that finish line.

For veterans who are wondering about, uh, if a education and a successful second career are still possible for them, what would you tell them based on, you know, your own journey?

I mean, that must have been a big day for you, that's for sure.

A- a- absolutely, Sergeant Major.

You, you, you, to put it in perspective, you're talking about an individual who graduated his high school over two and a half decades ago, and, you know, I could not imagine the journey that I was walking.

And, uh, since then, especially through all the deployments, all the combats, all the times away from home, uh, and then to walk across that stage and represent and know that I've earned a diploma.

And once again, you know, even though my grandfather, who inspired me to be here, uh, in the military, you know, he went on to get his PhD, I knew he was looking down and very proud that even though I ran into so many different obstacles, uh, it did not stop me from eventually, uh, crossing that finish line.

Because it doesn't really matter how long you take, as long as you cross that finish line.

And for me, that moment really symbolized, you know, something, uh, really larger than education.

For veterans who are wondering about, uh, if a education and a successful second career are still possible for them, what would you tell them based on, you know, your own journey?