Getting a degree while active duty is hard enough… What about graduating with honors while deployed!?!

Here is why this US Navy Sailor, PS1 Travis Houston, is making waves in San Diego. Personnel Specialist First Class Travis Houston is a dedicated sailor with eight years of service under his belt with an unwavering commitment to advancing in his Navy career. It hasn’t always been this way. PS1's story isn't just about military service; it's a testament to the ability to balance service and education while setting one's sights on a brighter, even more challenging future.

Need resources for organizing a meaningful Military Retirement in San Diego? Here are 4 ways to personalize the flag-passing ceremony at your retirement ceremony.

Experience the poignant 'Old Glory' tradition at military retirements, celebrating service members' distinguished careers. Discover the heartfelt flag passing ceremony, a symbol of respect and honor, while exploring the emotional reading of 'Old Glory,' symbolizing courage, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of the United States. Plan your military retirement in San Diego, a vibrant city with a rich military heritage, and find resources for organizing meaningful ceremonies and unforgettable tributes.

2 huge changes for the Corps: Female Recruits allowed at MCRD San Diego and tattoo Full Sleeve policy changes have shaped where Staff Sergeant Mary Phaly is today! Enjoy some policy history and get excited about how this Drill Instructor is trailblazing away! E6 in 6, getting a bachelors degree, martial arts, and more.

LTJG Kent Campbell Smith

September 11, 1945 - September 6, 2022

 VIETNAM | US  1968-1981

Kent Campbell Smith was a proud veteran and patriotic individual who dedicated his life to serving his country and community. Despite being injured during his time in the Navy, he went on to lead a fulfilling career in public service, where he served as an Executive Director of a non-profit organization, a management consultant, chaplain, and Protestant minister. He will be remembered as a devoted family man, who loved spending time in the outdoors and was actively involved in various organizations and churches. He lived a full and meaningful life and will be deeply missed by friends and family.

Please read about the history of his ship, USS Enterprise

The History of the Miramar National Cemetery and why you should know it.

Want to know when the Miramar National Cemetery was made and why? Find out here and learn more about the monuments, The Liberation, Memorial Walk, Avenue of Flags, Columbariums, how to donate to the many organizations, and even a few notable veterans laid to rest there.

William Edwin Terry

9 January 1940 – 10 Jul 2022 

 33 Years | VIETNAM | US NAVY, Rear Admiral Lower Half

It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Rear Admiral (lower half) William Edwin “Bill” Terry, U.S. Navy (Retired), on 10 July 2022 at age 82. Bill entered the U.S. Naval Reserve in June 1961, was commissioned in April 1963, and served as a naval aviator flying helicopters until his retirement in October 1994 as Commander, Combat Logistics Group TWO. His other commands included Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron EIGHT (HS-2), Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron TEN (HS-10), USS Okinawa (LPH-3), and Amphibious Squadron SEVEN. He flew 32 combat missions during three Vietnam War deployments and he was awarded a Silver Star for rescuing three survivors from two downed aircraft under heavy enemy fire in March 1966. 

Navy Hospital Corpsman Basic (HCB) Graduation Class 200 October 27, 2022

Hospital Corpsman Basic (HCB) program courses are group lockstep. The program provides Navy enlisted personnel with a basic medical knowledge of pre-hospital, inpatient and outpatient medical care within the scope of the Hospital Corpsman. Subjects include Basic Life Support (BLS), medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, pre-hospital care, and inpatient and outpatient aspects of each body system. Outcome-based practice and safety techniques are emphasized throughout the program. The program consists of lectures, group activities, demonstrations, hands-on instruction and clinical practice.

I saw a Facebook post on Monday night - and it changed the rest of my week! My little sister wasn’t going to have anyone at her A School Graduation … Just like when she graduated from Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes. You may not know but, a decade ago, no one came to my Navy Bootcamp Graduation or A School and I STILL hold bitterness over it - I could NOT let her feel the same way. So, I got a cheap flight and made the trek out to San Antonio to the Fort Sam Huston joint base and got to spend 24 hours with her. I am currently typing this post as I sit in the Denver airport’s USO on their free Wifi to share this amazing memory.

Good Reads for New Military MoMs (Mom of a Marine) | 2022

Navigating life as a new parent of a Marine headed off to Boot Camp is hard enough. If you love reading or want to read up on how to better understand the transition your new service member is going through, here are our top picks! Saving the BEST MoM (mother of a Marine) book for last!

The Heart of a Military Mom by Army Mom Strong & Elaine Brye 4.7 out of 5 #24 in Military Families (Books)

Rise Up Military Moms: A Journal for Living Life with Strength and Purpose by Army Mom Strong & Elaine Brye 4.8 out of 5 #67 in Military Families (Books)

Be Safe, Love Mom: A Military Mom's Stories of Courage, Comfort, and Surviving Life on the Home Front by Elaine Brye & Nan Gatewood Satter 4.8 out of 5 #11 in Military Families (Books)

Top 4 Good Reads for Military Spouses & Significant Others

Navigating life as a spouse or significant other of a service member headed off to Boot Camp or deployment is hard enough, want to stay busy reading? If you love reading or want to start up to better understand the transition your love is going through during their first years of service (including deployments), here are our top picks!

Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives by Jocelyn Green 4.8 out of 5

The 5 Love Languages Military Edition: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman & Jocelyn Green 4.7 out of 5 from 1,814 global ratings on Amazon #4 in Military Families (Books)

You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse by Jen McDonald 4.7 out of 5 #155 in Military Families (Books)

Open When: Letters of Encouragement for Military Spouses by Lizann Lightfoot 4.5 out of 5 #93 in Military Families (Books)

Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base pt2

USNS Mercy T-AH-19 is a 1,000 bed hospital ship commissioned in 1986 and currently lay berthed at Pier 1 on Naval Base San Diego, California. Along with USNS Comfort, USNS Mercy provides an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facilities when called upon to the U.S. military, and hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide.

Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base

Deployed Mom VS Deployed Dad…

Lets be clear, deployments are not easy nor are they really comparable. As a female service member I do recall my husband being home with our daughter versus the times he was deployed and I was home alone with her. I was blessed to have never needed to leave my daughter for an extended amount of time; therefore didn’t know what to expect watching LCDR reunite with her son.

Of course, he started getting mad at dad holding him waving at mom ( he was trying to nap haha) right as she was walking up and did warm up. This exact same thing happens when I see dad’s come home. At the same homecoming, another little kid ran up to his mom with a huge embrace! They are each unique and require reintegration to really feel like a family again.

Check out photos and a video of this Cpl meeting his newborn for the first time after being deployed in Africa with VMM-163 at the San Diego International Airport.

This deployed Marine dad returns home to his beautiful wife and baby girl for the first time. The anticipation of this moment and importance of this first meeting was so important we decided to do video, too.

Lets be real, this sweet family of three are clearly lost in the moment enjoying their firsts. Cpl seems to have a good handle on fatherhood already because it doesn’t take long for him to embrace his girls and enjoy his first (adorable!) father/daughter bonding moment.

Why you need to hire a photographer at least once in your Military Journey.

Investing in photography is something we all consider a couple times a year but rarely follow through. Sometimes there is a budget concern, other important events around the corner, and so much more. As a photographer, even I have missed the past TWO YEARS of family photos…. And I do regret it. What I do not regret is getting a post deployment photographer for my husbands last pier side homecoming where I announced the gender of our baby.

Bonus Note about How Special Airport Homecomings are.

Pablo Cosme Guerrero

AUGUST 17, 1927 – AUGUST 3, 2022 

KOREA | VIETNAM | US NAVY, SN

Pablo Cosme Guerrero, age 94, passed away on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Pablo is survived by his wife, Ludivina, and his children Frank, Pablo Guerrero Jr, Maya, Alex, Bernadette, and Marie, as well as his 27 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Pablo was born in Cavite, Philippines, on August 17, 1927. He enrolled into the US military in 1945 and enlisted in the US Navy in 1948 where he was stationed in San Diego. In total, Pablo dutifully served our country for over 22 years. During his time of service, he was involved in nuclear testing on the island of Saipan and he also received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service during the Vietnam War. Following his time in the US Navy, Pablo served in Merchant Marines out of San Francisco and then spent over 20 years as a postal clerk for the United States Post Office before his retirement.

How to Honor your Veteran After They Pass Away | Miramar National Cemetery San Diego, CA

When a loved one passes away, we want to honor their life and what they stood for. When a Veteran dies, we honor their commitment to offering up their own life to protect and serve others and ensure we celebrate the life they have lived. With a commitment this all-encompassing, we want to fully recognize their service to our country and to those who cannot protect themselves.

One way that you can honor your veteran is by making sure that they receive military honors at their funeral. A trumpeter playing Taps, a folded flag, gun salute, and a fly over come to mind. Your funeral director can help with these types of arrangements.

We will talk about Veteran’s Burial Allowance, requesting a “Military Funeral and Honor Guard” & Presidential Memorial Certificate, National Cemetery Burial information, and the importance of Continue to Honor Their Life.

First Reservist Marine to EVER Hold This Title

Drill Master DI Ribbon Hat Ceremony | MCRD San Diego, CA

Staff Sgt Andrew Brand has been stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego with Golf Company for some time. He started off as a regular Drill Instructor, and finished off his time as Drill Master September of 2022.

This was no easy feat; Staff Sgt needed to extend his orders as a reservist and promise his time -far- beyond what was originally expected.

Just sharing some images from a Marine Reenlistment while he was stationed at MCRD San Diego, CA. How many people do you know who reenlisted while a drill instructor?!

In 8 years of military service, my only "headshot" was during boot camp - my silly self never purchased it! Why is that? Especially in a military-heavy city like San Diego, why don't more photographers offer posed studio portraits with flags in the background? How does a service member get ahold of new portraits, anyways? PAO? Fleet and Family? MCCS? MWR?

I am on a mission to make these more common and to -eventually- get my uniform back on for one last official photo. In the meantime, let's normalize these portraiture opportunities to capture your military career before it's only a memory and you want to grow a retirement beard.

In honor of my mission, I am sharing some images that Cadet Matheson picked out from his recent portrait session. This Junior at Chaparral High School NJROTC in Temecula is on his way to a fantastic career in the Navy.

Naval Retirement of CDR George Newton | San Diego, CA Balboa Naval Hospital

In 2018, he arrived to his final assignment at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Here he served as the Vice-Chairman for the Department of Anesthesia and most notably, served as the surgical services subject matter expert for all COVID-19 related processes and procedures. He is still fondly referred to as the Covid King.

Lt. Kristen Boye, part of a multigenerational military legacy, knew in seventh grade she wanted to fly planes.

“I grew up meeting my grandpa’s fellow wingmen during reunions and going to airshows with my dad,” Boye said. “I know I don’t want a regular desk job. I want to fly.” (Kentwired.com)

Boye applied for AOCS, like her father, and hopes to get into the program. She aspires to one day fly an off-carrier so she can contribute to her country like her other family members.

“I’m very excited to see what the future holds,” Boye said in her 2015 interview.

Fast forward to 2022, stationed in San Diego, CA, achieving her dreams! After years of dedication and hard work, Boye is holds an impressive track record of qualifications and is commercialy-rated in both fixed wing and rotary wing. She is qualified to fly search and rescue, special operations support, surface warfare, anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare, torpedo employment, missile employment, rocket employment, night vision goggles and combat formation.

When a Marine needs to pick their “B” Billet, they usually pick between Drill Instructor and Recruiter Duty. Of course, there are pros and cons to both… Few pick BOTH. That’s the case for Gunnery Sergeant Jose Flores. He has served as both a recruiter on the east coast and Drill Instructor on the west coast. Where the real anomaly lies is he has received BOTH Recruiter of the Year (2014) AND Drill Instructor of the Year (2021).

Jose Flores enlisted at the age of 17 in 2008 and has had an incredible career. He is currently service as the the Recruit Training Regiment drill master, (prior Fox Company DI) and also received his Doctorate Degree from Grand Canyon University in Organizational Leadership.

Do you feel robbed of a typical post deployment homecoming experience because your spouse or significant other was selected to fly off the ship early?? Did you have a difficult birth or high risk pregnancy and need your SO home? Perhaps they were injured or came home due to unfortunate circumstances? Don’t worry! You, too, can have a beautiful homecoming experience that can be even more special than meeting on the flight line or deck of the ship.

Here are 5 reasons you should consider hiring a photographer for your airport homecoming.

Long Awaited Return for Repeat Client

I photographed Lopez’ graduation from bootcamp at MCRD San Diego 2 years ago so I felt privileged to photograph his first ever deployment homecoming with HMH-466 at MCAS Miramar.

The Squadron Lopez is a part of is the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 (HMH-466), the “Wolfpack.” It is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. It is based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).

Rainy Day Navy Homecoming

Nothing would dampen the special homecoming about to take place for this couple. Rain or Shine, she was getting her man back that day! And she did; she took him home and was very happy. Did it rain at your homecoming?

Are you looking for a homecoming dress this one? Check out our Amazon suggestion store to find dresses or outfits that complement military uniforms or check out our free Outfit Guides for any and every uniform you can imagine.

Here are amazing families of the nation’s newest Marines. I met up with these folks at Liberty Station, formerly known as the Naval Training Center San Diego, which welcomed its first Navy recruits in 1923 and closed after 60 years. Liberty Station is now San Diego's Town Square and perfectly replicates Marine Corps Recruit Depots architecture.