San Diego Blog Stories
Within this blog you will find everything from Funeral planning for Veterans to Newborn photography. While we capture many events and share as much information as possible, our main goal is to serve others. We currently do that by providing information and curating things that are needed, primarily for our Military community in Southern California.
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From Sea to Scholar: Graduating With Honors While Deployed | San Diego, CA | PS1 Travis Houston
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.
Navy Hospital Corpsman (HM) HCB A School Graduation | Fort Sam Huston | San Antonio, TX
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.
Reenlistment of Drill Instructor | MCRD San Diego, CA | 2020
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?!
Military Homecomings | USS Hampton SSN 767 | Point Loma Submarine Base
Harley McCracken contacted me looking for a photographer for her FIRST homecoming with her husband with USS Hampton. They originally met in Virginia and moved to San Diego, CA for their next duty station. Sadly, Harley had an emergency surgery RIGHT before their homecoming; doesn’t she look great!? Great energy and laughter as we waited for her hubby to be the last one off the boat. I hope you enjoy these photos!
If you are in San Diego and your loved one is about to leave, has already left, will be coming home soon BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER! If not me, then someone, please! You will not regret it at all. To inquire about any ships, fly-ins, or even at The San Diego International Airport, contact me!
Navy Promotion - Frocking Ceremony | LCS MCM San Diego | NOSC San Diego, CA
Navy Pinning Ceremony, San Diego, CA | Reserve Unit
What is a Frocking Ceremony?
Essentially, a ceremony for making rank!
There are various instances in Navy Regulations, at least as early as 1802, of personnel assuming the uniform of the next higher rank, not necessarily with higher pay, when appointed by proper authority to assume the duties and responsibilities of that rank prior to actual promotion. These appointments were sometimes temporary as when it was necessary rapidly to swell the ranks during war time, especially in the Civil War. Other instances concerned a commander's need to fill an unforeseen vacancy for which there was no one of equal rank. In this case, a junior who was qualified for promotion would assume the uniform and duties pending approval by the Navy Department.