Posted on Apr 21, 2023
NASA Astronaut and former SEAL completes Navy Flight Training
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Lt. Cmdr. Jonny Kim, NASA astronaut and former Navy SEAL, earned his “Wings of Gold” during a winging ceremony, Friday, March 24, onboard Naval Air Station Whiting Field. Kim, alongside 22 new aviators in his winging class, completed advanced helicopter training resulting in his designation as a Naval Aviator.
The families of the newly designated Naval Aviators were in attendance to congratulate and “pin” the wings onto the uniform of their loved ones. Kim was pinned by his wife while his three children watched from close by.
After graduating on the “Commodore’s List” with distinction, Kim is now a “dual designator,” meaning he is one of a rare group of individuals who is simultaneously designated (qualified) as both a Navy flight surgeon and Naval Aviator as part of the Aeromedical Dual Designator Program.
Kim’s career is unique and may lead some to wonder how he ended up in a rural region of west Florida pursuing advance naval helicopter training after many years undergoing the rigorous challenges and requirements of the Navy SEAL Teams, the Harvard School of Medicine, and NASA. For Kim, his desire to be impactful and make a difference began in childhood.
“Growing up, I never thought about joining the military, but like a lot of young kids, I dreamt of being a hero and making a positive difference in the world. However, I didn't believe in myself or have the confidence I needed to impact the world in the way I wanted to," said Kim. “Then, at 16, I discovered the SEAL teams and the warrior spirit the teams cultivate. I thought maybe becoming a SEAL could change me to become the strong warrior I desperately wanted to be.”
In 2002, Kim enlisted in the Navy and sought out the most direct path to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.
The families of the newly designated Naval Aviators were in attendance to congratulate and “pin” the wings onto the uniform of their loved ones. Kim was pinned by his wife while his three children watched from close by.
After graduating on the “Commodore’s List” with distinction, Kim is now a “dual designator,” meaning he is one of a rare group of individuals who is simultaneously designated (qualified) as both a Navy flight surgeon and Naval Aviator as part of the Aeromedical Dual Designator Program.
Kim’s career is unique and may lead some to wonder how he ended up in a rural region of west Florida pursuing advance naval helicopter training after many years undergoing the rigorous challenges and requirements of the Navy SEAL Teams, the Harvard School of Medicine, and NASA. For Kim, his desire to be impactful and make a difference began in childhood.
“Growing up, I never thought about joining the military, but like a lot of young kids, I dreamt of being a hero and making a positive difference in the world. However, I didn't believe in myself or have the confidence I needed to impact the world in the way I wanted to," said Kim. “Then, at 16, I discovered the SEAL teams and the warrior spirit the teams cultivate. I thought maybe becoming a SEAL could change me to become the strong warrior I desperately wanted to be.”
In 2002, Kim enlisted in the Navy and sought out the most direct path to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.
NASA Astronaut and former SEAL completes Navy Flight Training
Posted from dvidshub.net
NASA
Flying
Helicopters
NAS Whiting Field
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."The new Naval Aviators earning their wings in late March brought the total number of individuals to earn the title of Naval Aviator, throughout U.S. naval history, to 36,416.
As Kim returns to NASA to prepare for his first space mission, he reflected on his family and how they enabled him to accomplish so much leading up to this point: “Often times when you see people accomplishing things, you don’t see the support network behind them.” Kim praised his wife and children for “always being there for me, and putting up with me through the long nights, long weekends and the many mornings I couldn’t be present to take them to school or do any of the dad things that many of their friends get to experience. I thank them, I appreciate them, and I love them.”
CNATRA trains, mentors, and delivers the highest quality Naval Aviators who prevail in competition, crisis, and conflict. Headquartered at NAS Corpus Christi, CNATRA comprises five training air wings in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, which are home to 17 training squadrons. In addition, CNATRA oversees the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels and the training curriculum for all fleet replacement squadrons."
..."The new Naval Aviators earning their wings in late March brought the total number of individuals to earn the title of Naval Aviator, throughout U.S. naval history, to 36,416.
As Kim returns to NASA to prepare for his first space mission, he reflected on his family and how they enabled him to accomplish so much leading up to this point: “Often times when you see people accomplishing things, you don’t see the support network behind them.” Kim praised his wife and children for “always being there for me, and putting up with me through the long nights, long weekends and the many mornings I couldn’t be present to take them to school or do any of the dad things that many of their friends get to experience. I thank them, I appreciate them, and I love them.”
CNATRA trains, mentors, and delivers the highest quality Naval Aviators who prevail in competition, crisis, and conflict. Headquartered at NAS Corpus Christi, CNATRA comprises five training air wings in Florida, Mississippi, and Texas, which are home to 17 training squadrons. In addition, CNATRA oversees the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels and the training curriculum for all fleet replacement squadrons."
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