Former TOPGUN Navy pilot Lt Col. Nick Laviano graduated from Jones County Junior College in 2005 as a student-athlete, playing soccer and golf.
The Bobcats were a combined 16-8-4 over his two years on the pitch.
He went on to earn his bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2008 and was accepted into the United States Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ensign in January 2009.
A few years later, after being designated as a naval aviator, his first operational assignment was in Lemoore, Calif., attached to the Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86), where he flew the FA-18E Super Hornet. While there, he pursued his lifelong dream and applied to the Navy Fighter Weapons School, known as TOPGUN.
After serving 12 years active duty in the Navy, Lt Col. Laviano joined the District of Columbia Air National Guard, flying the F-16 while living in Alexandria, Va., with his wife Alicia and son Myles.
