Washington, DC - At an intimate ceremony held in the Pentagon, Adm. Michelle Howard promoted her high school classmate, Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Jacobson, to the rank of commander Friday.

Jacobson, a Core Plus facilitator at Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) Naval District Washington and Howard, the 38th vice chief of naval operations (VCNO), were classmates at Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado. They both graduated in 1978.

"I don't know how far back we go but she was just one of those classmates I knew I wouldn't forget in Aurora," Jacobson said. He presided as chaplain for Howard's change of command ceremony as she turned over leadership of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2 in 2010.

Howard opened the ceremony by reading a favorite quote of Jacobson's taken from their senior year high school year book. "I can live on earth, contented to the end, if a few know my worth and proudly call me friend."

"Today is all about the worth of Jeff Jacobson and all us that can proudly call him a friend," said Howard.

Jacobson's daughters and father were also on hand to pin the commander with his new shoulder boards and cover.

His son Caleb delivered "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost in honor of his father. "It's just an honor to see my dad be appreciated and get what he deserves," said Caleb.

During the ceremony, Jacobson acknowledged his Navy and military family saying, "My military family has surrounded me on a daily basis over the years...representing friendship and epitomizing the word 'shipmate'. This promotion represents those who have given me so much in my career."