A Marine veteran who lost all four limbs after stepping on an explosive device in Afghanistan in 2010 is celebrating after successfully undergoing surgery for a double arm transplant.

John Peck, 31, underwent a 14-hour transplant surgery in August. His body rejected the transplant for the first few weeks, but the immune response was managed with medication. He will undergo weeks to months of physical therapy to encourage the nerves to grow and keep the muscles from withering. Sensation in the transplanted arms may take months to develop, as the nerves grow.

“My dream job since I was 12 is to become a chef,” he told reporters, and hopes to have a shot at his dream career with his new arms.