Articles

Reflecting on his early years, Jim Bonner describes himself as a “young, lost man.” He grew up in Pennsylvania, raised by his mom along with his older brother. Life’s challenges left Jim feeling unsure of his place in the world, longing for community, connection, and purpose. He never had a strong father figure, and school was a constant struggle due to undiagnosed dyslexia.  Jim’s desire for more from his life ultimately drove him to great achievements, including an officer position in the Marines, a career as an FBI SWAT team member, and, finally, the

From a young age, Dan Derbes had a clear vision of where he wanted to go in life. As a child, he was very interested in building model warships, prompting him to research the Navy and the Naval Academy. He discovered that this career combined three of his favorite things–the ocean, warships, and traveling the world. With a sense of clarity uncharacteristic for his age, Dan set his sights on joining the Navy and didn’t look back. With the full support of his family, Dan entered the ROTC right after graduating high school and