Aloha to Hawaii: Graduating, Goodbyes, and Gratitude
Graduating from SWIP in Hawaii was a bittersweet moment, marking both the culmination of a challenging and rewarding chapter and the beginning of a new adventure. The out-processing experience was a whirlwind of paperwork, final evaluations, and farewells to colleagues who had become like family. It was hard to believe that my time on the island—this beautiful place I had called home—was coming to an end.
The graduation ceremony was a day filled with pride and celebration. I stood alongside peers who had shared the highs and lows of the internship journey. As I walked across the stage, I was not only honored as a graduate but also celebrated for my promotion to Captain. The moment felt surreal, a reflection of years of hard work and dedication.
My Older Sister, Aliesha, got to pin my rank!
Being promoted to the rank of Captain was one of the most humbling moments of my career. I have so much honor for this rank and the responsibility it carries. I couldn’t help but reflect on the Captains I looked up to when I was a young Private in the Army—their leadership, professionalism, and dedication to their Soldiers left a lasting impression on me. They were the kind of leaders who inspired trust and respect, and I remember thinking, “I want to lead like that someday.” To now share the same rank is a privilege I did not take for granted. It’s a reminder of the responsibility I had to uphold the values they embodied and to continue striving to lead with the same strength and integrity. Captain isn’t just a rank; it’s a commitment to serve with excellence, and I was honored to wear it.
Adding to the excitement was the news I received during the ceremony: I had been selected for a Ph.D. program in social work—a rare and humbling opportunity. Hearing that my name had been chosen from a competitive field was the kind of recognition that doesn’t sink in right away but fills you with a quiet sense of pride and responsibility. This came to be a daunting challenge, but more on that later.
In the weeks leading up to my departure, I made the most of every moment on the island. Each morning, I grabbed my surfboard and paddled out into the crystal-clear waters, catching waves and soaking up the aloha spirit. The trails called to me, and I found myself hiking through lush valleys and scaling ridges with sweeping views of the Pacific. Longboarding down winding roads under the warm sun became a daily ritual, a simple pleasure that encapsulated the freedom and beauty of island life. Evenings were spent with friends at local spots, sipping mai tais and toasting to our time together. Every sunset felt like a personal farewell from Hawaii, painting the skies in fiery hues that I hoped to lock into my memory forever.
When the day of my flight arrived, the reality of leaving set in. As the plane ascended, I pressed my forehead to the window, watching the island grow smaller and smaller until it was just a speck in the vast ocean. In that quiet moment, I felt an overwhelming mix of emotions: gratitude for the experiences that had shaped me, a deep connection to the friends and memories I was leaving behind, and a sense of wonder about what lay ahead. Hawaii had given me so much—a sense of belonging, a deeper connection to my work, and a profound appreciation for the natural world. As the island disappeared from view, I whispered a silent mahalo and reflected on the possibility that I might not return. But whether or not I did, I knew Hawaii would always be a part of me, its spirit carried with me wherever life takes me.
One last look at Hawaii
Army Social Work 