News

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Commander David Aldous, Coast Guard

In regards to how The King's School helped prepare me for the future, I do immediately think of a few things.  First, I cannot say enough about the public speaking opportunities that we had, starting with 7th-grade Speech Class, spelling bees, dramatic reading contests, and of course the annual Christmas Plays, which were so instrumental for us to have consistent opportunities to address large groups.  That foundational training was critical for me to perform better in small settings, such as briefing families about ongoing search efforts, and also to address large crowds, or to brief high-ranking military or government officials.  

Second, I think about the low student-to-teacher ratio and quality of instruction at the school.  Sure we didn't have the best or most state-of-the-art equipment at the time, but we did receive individualized classroom instruction by a dedicated staff.  While having state-of-the-art facilities would have been great, in retrospect I certainly had everything I needed which probably helped me focus a bit more on the things that really mattered.

(Bio: CDR Aldous is a native of Queensbury, NY and enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1997. Commander Aldous’ career assignments include Aids to Navigation Technician and Small Boat Engineer at Aids to Navigation Team Milford Haven, VA; Aviation Electronics Technician, Enlisted Aircrew Instructor, Educational Services Officer, Air Auxiliary Operations Officer, at Air Station Cape Cod, MA; Flight Examiner and Standardization Officer at the Coast Guard’s Aviation Training Center in Mobile, AL; Assistant Operations Officer and Airfield Manager at Air Station Elizabeth City, NC, Aviation Resource Manager at the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami, FL, and Deputy Executive Officer at Air Station Clearwater, FL. In 2003 CDR Aldous completed Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, FL and was placed on the Commodore’s List with Distinction, an honor reserved for the top one percent of all Student Naval Aviators. Since then CDR Aldous has accumulated over 4,000 flight/simulator hours and upgraded to the Flight Examiner/Instructor Pilot designation, the highest possible Coast Guard Aviator qualification. Commander Aldous has also completed his civilian Federal Aviation Administration ratings as Certified Flight Instructor and Airline Transport Pilot and has built and test flew five experimental aircraft. CDR Aldous is a 1999 graduate of the Spartan School of Aeronautics where he completed his Coast Guard training to become an Aviation Electronics Technician and he is also a 2012 alumni of Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey, where he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Aeronautics. Additionally, CDR Aldous is a 2015 graduate of the Coast Guard Leadership and Management School’s Midgrade Officer Career Transition Course. He has earned Incident Management qualifications as Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, Planning Section Chief, Operations Section Chief, and Air Operations Branch Director. Commander Aldous’s personal awards over his 24 years of service include the Department of Homeland Secretary’s Award for Excellence, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Medal, four Coast Guard Commendation Medals, two Coast Guard Achievement Medals, and two Coast Guard Commandant’s Letters of Commendation.

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where are they now
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