The U.S. Marine Corps held a commissioning ceremony for senior David “Mac” Caputi on Friday morning. Standing before the Bowdoin Chapel, in front of his family, coaches, professors and friends, Caputi took his oath and became a second lieutenant.

Caputi’s parents, Beth Caputi and former Bowdoin football coach David Caputi, pinned his rank insignia on his shoulder epaulets. His parents also presented Caputi with a mameluke sword, the oldest type of weapon used by the U.S. armed forces.

Caputi trained for two summers at the Officers Candidate School in Quantico, Va., passing the rigorous physical, mental and emotional tests to become an officer. Following graduation, Caputi will attend The Basic School for six months in Quantico, where he will study such topics as leadership, war fighting philosophies, and how to conduct humanitarian operations. After that, he’ll pursue advanced schooling in a particular field.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Caputi thanked the many people — “teachers, professors, advisors, mentors, instructors, marines, coaches, classmates, teammates, friends and family” who he said had inspired him to pursue this path “to become the best man, and now the best Marine Corps officer,” he could be.