"I don't know if I would want Paul Skenes' to serve the military" - Olivia Dunne reveals why she hopes Pirates ace avoids armed forces

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes capped off a historic 2025 season by winning his maiden NL Cy Young award. Following the triumph, Skenes is enjoying the offseason with his girlfriend, Olivia Dunne.

Skenes, hailing from a military family, attended the Air Force Academy from 2021 to 2022 and had aspirations of serving the country. However, the two-time All-Star turned towards baseball after transferring to LSU in 2023.

Skenes and Dunne went on the USO Tour for a two-day experience aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the USS Mahan (DDG 72) to meet with sailors at sea last week.

Following the tour, the couple talked with People for an exclusive interview. During the interview Skenes admitted that he won't be able to get back to the academy.

"I wouldn't be able to go back to the Academy, I don't think, as a cadet. It's hard enough to start it once. I think it would be 10 times harder to start it a second time," Skenes said. "So I don't know that I'll go back in and be in the military."

Dunne, a former LSU athlete, said she wouldn't want Skenes to serve:

"I don't know if I want to Paul the serve. I would miss him too much."

While Skenes said he wanted to return to military after his baseball career, the reigning NL Cy Young winner said it was "tough" to go through military training again.

Paul Skenes' girlfriend Olivia Dunne thankful for "life-changing" experience

The two-time All-Star pitcher admitted that the two-way tour and the meet-up with sailors put things into "perspective" for the duo. Olivia Dunne expressed her gratitude to Paul Skenes for a "life-changing" experience.

"Pushing me out of my comfort zone and expanding my horizons, that's what a good relationship is all about. It was life-changing," Dunne said.

"So I'm thankful that Paul told me about it. He was going to do it with me or without me. He was like, 'I'm doing it!' So it was something that it was so special that we did it together."

Skenes and Dunne reportedly met at LSU after the flamethrower transferred from Air Force and helped them to a College World Series title.