The Medal of Honor is the U.S. military’s highest honor, the pinnacle of war decorations. After getting the prestigious award, however, most service members are either unable or unwilling to return to the service.

But not Navy Senior Chief Edward Byers.

Byers received his medal on Monday for risking his life to save a hostage while serving with the secretive SEAL Team Six. Not even a week has passed and Byers is already planning to return to the Navy SEALs to continue his service.

“This honor carries with it some obligations that I need to carry out,” Byers told the Washington Post. “But, I plan to continue doing my job as normal and to continue being a SEAL.”

The Washington Post explains that it is actually quite unusual for a medal of honor recipient to stay in the military. The medal is only awarded to service members who risked or sustained grave injuries on the battlefield. As such, many veterans are too injured to continue active service. Others have had their fill of military life and wish to raise a family or return to school.

Sometimes it takes so long for a medal of honor to be approved that a recipient has already retired by the time they are chosen. The military spent three years extensively interviewing and investigating Byers before it decided to grant him the award. Other recipients have waited more than a decade for their recognition.

The last big hurdle keeping Byers away from the battlefield is a publicity tour.

[Washington Post]