Lieutenant Hunter Wilde, US Navy
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Lieutenant (junior grade) Hunter Wilde always knew he was going to serve. He had a family history of service. His dad served 30 years, his uncles, grandparents, and cousins all spent time in the military. What he didn't know was that his path to service would be so fraught with challenge.
Hunter is currently the Auxiliaries Officer aboard USS Boxer. Previously he served as the Main Propulsion and Electrical Officer onboard the USS William P. Lawrence where he deployed to 7th fleet in support of Carrier Strike Group One. A 2020 graduate from San Diego State University, he received his commission through Navy ROTC in 2021. How he got there is the real story as he navigated shifting policy and many setbacks. He tried enlisting in the Marine Corps after High School - was told "no". He applied for a Navy ROTC scholarship - was told "no". He applied for a Marine ROTC scholarship - was told "no". He was able to join Navy ROTC without a scholarship and the potential that he'd never commission as an officer. But his dogged persistence paid off, he eventually earned the scholarship, his commission, and his place at sea. He recently had the opportunity to tell some of his story to his command. He reflected, "It was exposing, but so empowering, to stand up and say that I am transgender, I am here, and that there’s no other place I’d rather be than serving beside all of you." You can read more of Hunter's story in 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 |