CFK’s VIP Series gets real with “Top Gun to Combat: Real Training, Real Missions, Real Lessons”

Pictured Left: Retired U.S. naval aviator, Commander John Picco will share an unvarnished, inside the cockpit view of what it truly takes to succeed when the stakes are life and death at CFK’s VIP Series on April 16th at the Key West Campus. Pictured Right: Photo of Commander Picco’s “office.”

KEY WEST, FL, April 2, 2026— Retired U.S. naval aviator Commander John Picco brings his unique experiences and insights to The College of the Florida Keys’ (CFK) VIP Series on Thursday, April 16 at 7 PM. The community is invited to "Top Gun to Combat: Real Training, Real Missions, Real Lessons" where the Commander will share true stories about how relentless preparation and the "train like you fight" ethos deliver split‑second execution in combat.

Drawing on 28 years in naval aviation, the Commander will share vivid firsthand experiences to demonstrate the essential role of calculated risk‑taking, pushing to the edge and just past it, and owning results with no excuses. His presentation will highlight how high‑intensity training, trust in your wingman, and trust in yourself create a mindset where mission success is all that matters.

Picco is a Villanova University graduate and TOPGUN-trained pilot with over 3,000 hours in the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, 900 arrested carrier landings across six carriers, and 80 combat missions. A few of his more memorable assignments include flying with the VFA-195 Dambusters in Japan, shaping global maritime strategy at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium and serving the U.S. Ambassador as the Naval Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia. His final post was in Key West as the Director of Current and International Operations at JIATF-South.

Since retiring from the navy in 2020, he has served as a Financial Advisor with the Southernmost Edward Jones office in Key West. John is active in local charities and military affairs, continuing a life defined by service. He is married to Melissa, and they have two children attending Key West High School.

Now in its twelfth season, the CFK VIP Series showcases the views, ideas, and perspectives (VIP) of speakers with local, regional, and national prominence. The 2026 series is sponsored by David and Annette Curry, Essential Net Solutions, and First Horizon Bank.

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM; presentation begins at 7:00 PM
Location: CFK’s Key West Campus at the Tennessee Williams Theatre
Format: 50-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes for questions and answers
Tickets: $5 at the door; free for CFK and Monroe County school students
For more information, call 305-296-9081 or visit www.cfk.edu/VIP.