An ensign in crisp khakis stands at attention, awaiting the arrival of Training Squadron Ten (VT-10) Commanding Officer Cmdr. Brian Solano for a brief ceremony, Oct. 26, in the squadron's hangar aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.

The ceremony will be small, similar to the hundreds of other promotion ceremonies across the Navy, when ensigns replace their gold bar with a silver one, signifying their new rank of lieutenant junior grade, and the first milestone of their naval careers.

Ens. Turner Edwards will be advanced this morning, an accomplishment that thousands of commissioned officers have made.

Inspired by the gold wings worn by his grandfather, a WWII aviator, Edwards earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., in October 2013, and subsequently entered naval flight officer training at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

He successfully completed the initial phases of flight training, followed by the five month primary phase at VT-10. After completion of both ground school and simulation training, Edwards was scheduled for a July 16 first flight at the controls of the T-6 Texan II training aircraft. This date would also mark the Georgia native's 25th birthday.

Unfortunately, he would never pilot the aircraft.

On the night of his 25th birthday, feeling discomfort and pain, Edwards visited the VT-10 flight surgeon, who recommended an ultrasound and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan at Naval Hospital Pensacola.

After an uncertain 24 hours, Edwards was diagnosed with cancer.

"I remember breaking down and crying for maybe ten minutes when I heard the news," he said.

Edwards composed himself, then called his family who arrived at his bedside eight hours later. Surgery began the following day.

A biopsy revealed the cancer showed signs of metastasizing, the process during which cancer cells enter the blood stream and spread to other areas of the body.

Medical professionals offered the young officer a choice at this point: additional surgeries or chemotherapy. Edwards chose the latter, three treatments of chemotherapy. This plan, however, included a treatment which could jeopardize his return to aviation training. So, in an attempt to preserve his hopes of flying, Edwards chose to pursue an alternate treatment, at the cost of an extra round of treatment.

"Treatment started off fine," he recalled. "However, each round became exponentially harder. The therapy was breaking down my body and each round I had a little less in the tank."

During the three months of recovery therapy following his treatment, Edwards requested to perform collateral duty work for VT-10.

"I wanted to stay active in the wing because I knew it would really help me get through the chemo," he said. "I wanted to keep my mind occupied because I knew it was going to get harder."

Edwards said the additional round of chemotherapy proved the most difficult, but that the outpouring of support from his family, friends and squadron mates - including visits from Solano and former VT-10 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mark Yates - boosted his morale.

"Them coming there to see how I was doing was the difference between me thinking 'I don't know if I can make it through the next 30 minutes,' to, 'I think I can do this,'" Edwards said.

After the four month process which included numerous treatments, an aggressive rehabilitation process, and an emotional roller coaster which could have sidelined the young officer, Edwards was found to be in remission, and was eventually declared fit for full duty.

He immediately began working to fulfill the requirements of returning to aviation training. But despite his efforts, his medical waiver to return to flight training was ultimately denied.

"It was the second most difficult news I'd received during that time," said Edwards.

Wishing to continue serving the Navy, Edwards began to refocus his efforts, applying to serve in the information warfare community. Based on strong recommendations, he was accepted into the Basic Information Warfare Course at Corry Station Center for Information Dominance (CID). Successful completion of the course may bolster his application package for re-designation.

Now, with a new outlook on his career, on the Navy and on life, Edwards is working at Commander, Training Air Wing SIX (CTW-6) while waiting for the December re-designation board, which will determine his future.

Today, one part of his wait is over. Solano shook his hand, congratulating the now lieutenant junior grade on an advancement which means so much more to an officer whose passion for naval aviation was derailed by a series of events outside his control.

"I've had the opportunity to work with Edwards for a year, through both good times and bad," Solano said. "I've never met an individual who has such an optimistic view on life, no matter what cards he was dealt. And I'm proud to have him in our service."

To Edwards, the advancement means even more. Two years after suffering through a life-shattering event, he is still in uniform, proudly wearing the cloth of the country he raised his right hand in oath to defend.

"I feel honored," he said. "I enjoy what I do because it gives me a sense of pride."

Commander, Training Air Wing SIX is headquartered in the "Cradle of Naval Aviation" aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., and is responsible for Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) naval flight officer training and production. CTW-6 graduates approximately 300 United States Navy, Marine Corps, and international students annually.

For more news from Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, visit http://www.navy.mil/.