Kyle's WOC School Graduation

As most of you know, Kyle is my sister's boyfriend.
And you might know he was accepted in the Warrant Officer program for the Army to be a pilot.

Kyle went through basic training at Ft. Jackson in South Carolina.  He then came to Ft. Rucker, Alabama for Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOC School).

On Wednesday, he graduated WOC School and was appointed as a Warrant Officer in the United States Army.

My mother and sister had planned to make the trip down for Kyle's graduation. But since he is only stationed about 2 hours from us, my mother decided to take some time off work and make it a vacation with us as well.  I was so excited because my family has not been down to visit me yet.  On top of that, my Aunt Janet and cousin Melissa decided they were going to join as well!

On Tuesday afternoon, after a few days at the beach and hanging out with us awesome Oberkrom's, they traveled to Ft. Rucker.  (check back in a few days for a post about their trip down here).  They attended a graduation dinner that night and hung out with Kyle's family.  They also visited Leah and Kyle's new home (which is super adorable).

Wednesday morning Nick and I drove to Ft. Rucker.  We met Kyle's family and await for the graduation to start.

with my Handsome Navy Man

cousins

Melissa and Janet with Kyle

Then the graduation started.  It was short and sweet.  A few talked about all they had been through.  Then they took their Oath of Office.

Then 6 were called up at a time to have their loved ones put their shoulder boards on.

Kyle's mother and father putting his shoulder boards on with his brother watching

Kyle's family

Afterwards we took a lot of pictures.

Ensign Oberkrom, W1 Finley, and Captain Finley

Kyle's Dad with his pilot sons

Leah and Kyle

Me with Kyle (squatting so he doesn't feel short ;) )

me dancing in the back of a Chinook...
because who doesn't do that?

Liss and Janet with Kyle

they don't have a picture with Nick in uniform so they took advantage
of this opportunity

The Finley boys and their women 

Kyle and his brother, Tim, an AWAC pilot for the Air Force

Leah and Kyle

After all the pictures, we headed to the PX to grab some lunch and spend Kyle's last hour oft he day with him and his family.  He then had to run off to a brief, which kept him tied up for 5+ hours.  We all headed back for Florida while Janet and Melissa headed back to St. Louis =)

Kyle was granted about 10 days of leave in which he will go back to St. Louis, he and Leah will pack up all their stuff, and then move down to Alabama in just one week!  Thankfully saying goodbye to my sister will not be emotional since I know I'll get to see her more often!  (Saying goodbye to my mother, however, will be a different story!)

I am so proud of Kyle and really happy we were able to attend and be a part of his graduation.  From here, he will begin flight school which, once started, will take him about 18 months.  His dream is to fly the apache so fingers crossed when it comes times for selection, he will get it!

Congrats Kyle!!!!!