After stepping in as the first-team fullback during the Redskins’ organized team activities, Eric Kettani was then sworn in as a lieutenant in the United States Navy on Monday in a brief ceremony at Redskins Park.
After repeating the United States Uniformed Services Oath of Office, which was administered by Matthew Harmon, Kettani had Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan and running backs coach Bobby Turner pin the silver two-bar insignia onto the lapel of his service khaki uniform.
“I think it means a lot to him,” said Harmon, also a lieutenant and a friend and former teammate of Kettani’s who was a kicker at Navy from 2005-08. “It shows how diverse he is, and what he’s able to accomplish. Ever since we graduated, I know I’ve been rooting for him, and hopefully he can live his dreams and be a good steward for the Navy and play in the NFL.”
To fulfill his Navy obligations, Eric Kettani has been speaking to servicemen across the country. He made stops at military bases in San Diego and Anchorage, Alaska in recent months to spread the message of achieving success through the armed forces.
“It’s huge, especially for the young sailors,” Kettani said. “They don’t realize there’s other opportunities once you leave the Navy or the Armed Forces. Right now, they’re downsizing the military, so a lot of the guys are getting out without things to do. They see me, and there’s hope out there that you can find a job with ease.”
Turner said he was “very honored and thrilled” to be asked to take part in the ceremony, and Shanahan joked that he’s “got to salute him now.”
Kettani has six years remaining in his initial commitment to the naval reserves, and though he said it’s too early to decide whether he’ll remain in the Navy, he said retiring as an officer would be an honor.
“Right now, I’m doing those six years, and I’ll see where that takes me,” Kettani said. “You have to do 20 years in the reserves and then retire, which would be a great honor and hopefully, I’ll get promoted throughout the ranks.”
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