He didn't win the $1.5 billion lottery, but one Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point Sailor still considers himself the luckiest man on the planet.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Matthew A. Karr, recently learned he was selected to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) with follow-on orders to Pensacola, Fla., where he will train to become a U.S. Navy pilot.

"It's always been my dream to fly," said Karr. "Now, to have this opportunity, yeah, it's like winning the lottery."

Karr, assigned to NHCCP, recently was working with U.S. Marine Corps Squadron VMR-1, also at Cherry Point as a Search and Rescue (SAR) corpsman.

"VMR-1 flies several different aircraft," Karr said. "As a SAR corpsman, I flew on the HH-46Es, call sign Pedro, which is the international designation for a search-and-rescue platform. Our primary function was to search for downed aircraft, but we also conducted search-and-rescue missions in the waters around eastern North Carolina. When the Marine Corps retired the HH-46 platform, I had already put my package in for OCS. Luckily, I was able to return to my parent command, NHCCP, until after the selection board convened so I could remain eligible and not have to worry about completing another assignment and having to re-apply."

"HM2 Karr is going to make an excellent officer and pilot," said Chief Petty Officer Mark Mosier, Karr's leading chief at VMR-1. "He called me from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and said he had taken orders to Cherry Point because he wanted another tour of SAR duty before putting in his application to become an officer. Within a couple of weeks of qualifying at VMR-1, he was flying four missions a week, which is quite a bit. He never lost his smile and was always ready to take on more challenges; the kind of Sailor every chief wants in his shop."

Karr's interest in the Navy and aviation comes from the fact that he is a self-proclaimed Navy brat.

"My dad retired from the Navy as an intelligence specialist," Karr said. "We moved around a lot, so I don't consider myself as having a hometown."

Early exposure to a life of travel and naval tradition, plus a love of flying prompted Karr to join the Navy in 2007.

"I went to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) and told the classifier I wanted a job in aviation, so he signed me up to become an aviation boatswain's mate," Karr said. "My dad disagreed. He felt that for me, there would be more opportunities in a different field. So, on my next trip to MEPS, he came with me and I ended up becoming a hospital corpsman (HM)."

It turned out to be a good decision for Karr as he took advantage of everything the HM rating had to offer. After "A" school, he began his career at Naval Hospital Beaufort, South Carolina, then became a SAR corpsman and took orders to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, followed by his assignment to VMR-1. Along the way he used his free time and Tuition Assistance to earn his Bachelor of Science in exercise and sports medicine.

Karr is married and his wife is currently working on her nursing degree and will continue to attend school while he learns to punch holes in the sky.

"She has about two years left in school to get her degree," he said. "So even though we'll be separated for a while, the time apart will allow both of us to concentrate on our studies."

After earning his wings, Karr hopes to fly the Navy's P-8A Poseidon, which is replacing the P-3C Orion as a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

"As a kid, my friends and I all had dreams of flying jets with our hair on fire," Karr said. "But after having served as part of a SAR crew, I've really grown to love working with a team to get the job done. Nothing can beat the friends you make, the camaraderie and sense of accomplishment when people come together to accomplish a mission."

It has been a long road to earn his coveted wings of gold, but Karr is looking forward to a goal that is much closer; earning his commission.

"My dad is real excited," said Karr. "He has been a big part of my career, offering advice, telling me about different programs and opportunities. He's really been a great mentor. When I graduate from OCS in May, I'll have a silver dollar ready for him."

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