Carl Miller, who has ties to Miami Lakes, graduated from last month from the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School.
Miller, 32, enlisted in that branch of the military in 2010 and on Nov. 13 this year, was commissioned as an ensign.
Miller fulfilled a 13-week course at Newport, R.I. that includes fitness drills, training in firefighting, damage contol, seamanship and small arms.
Miller is one of 1,600 ensigns the Navy graduates and commissions through the school each year.
The Navy calls it “grueling” and “boot camp” and says it tests candidates morally, mentally and physically.
Now that Miller is among the Navy’s leaders, he is also a surface warfare officer in charge of guiding missiles, plotting navigation and managing sailors.
“I found the drive while in the Navy to expand my leadership and decided to
apply for conditioning [in the boot camp training],” Miller said about why he wanted to go through the course.
Before joining the Navy, Miller attended Barbara Goleman Senior High School and graduated in 2006.
While there, he played strong safety on the school’s football team.
Miller attended St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications, he said.
Miller always knew he wanted to join the military but wasn’t sure which branch would be right.
But he did know he wanted to see the world, and being from South Florida and growing up near the sea, he gravitated toward the Navy.
Miller has served tours in Asia and the Middle East.
He hopes to remain with the military for another decade, after which he’ll consider retirement.
Until then, there is more training ahead, including advanced navigation that will take place in San Diego, Calif.
Then he returns to Rhode Island for junior officer training. Eventually he’ll be stationed in San Diego, and will sail aboard the USS Michael Monsoor, a guided missile destroyer.