 Ghormley received flight training and was assigned to Lake Forest, California and the until he was recalled for a year amphibious training in June 1980.Returning to Lake Forest in 1981, Ghormley spent the next four years there, before attending the Marine Corps Command & Staff College in 1985, and transferring across to F/A-18 Hornets in 1986.1988 saw Ghormley serving as executive officer to a number of squadrons across California until attending the Naval War College, in Newport, Rhode Island in 1991.