Nathaniel Subiono and Russell Subiono

Ocean (O) shares when he knew he wanted to serve in the military. He explains that he joined an JROTC program in high school. Russell (R) says he was initially shocked when R joined the program.

O details going to school in Denver, Colorado where he was one of the only Asian students. O says he was attracted to the diversity of the military and describes it as a melting pot.

R explains that he supported O in his decision to join the JROTC program because he saw how passionate O was about what he was doing.

O paints a picture of the day he got a physical, part of the process of enlisting in the military. O says he was set on enlisting as opposed to going the officer route. O explains how a doctor refused to approve his processing because of the shape of O's eyelids and sent him to another doctor for additional testing. O says he was diagnosed with third ocular nerve palsy and disqualified from enlisting. He says it felt like his entire life was being ripped from him.

R says it was a hard experience as a parent because he didn't have answers for his son in that moment.

O says he now has a wife and son of his own and he can't imagine how he would have handled the situation as a parent.

O describes the various appeal processes he tried to pursue.

R shares that O went on to train and work in the Honolulu Fire Department. O explains that it was an extremely competitive process.

O details his fire department experience. He says he met a pilot who said to him that the Army was in desperate need of pilots. O says he worked with a recruiter who was able to get him an opportunity to retake the physical. He says he met with another doctor who pushed him through.

O describes how he felt when he was finally able to take an oath of enlistment.

R says it was an immensely proud moment that illustrated to him the power of perseverance.

O explains how his understanding of the military changed from when he was seventeen to when he was finally able to enlist all those years later. He shares what he would tell his younger self.