“It is a proud privilege to be a soldier – a good soldier … [with] discipline, self-respect, pride in his unit and his country, a high sense of duty and obligation to comrades and to his superiors, and a self confidence born of demonstrated ability.” ~Gen. George S. Patton Jr.
Yesterday, I retired from the US Army after 20-years of service. It was an amazing experience having my family by my side and being able to tune in others who could not make it in person through live-stream.
The ceremony was perfect and it was exactly how I expected my last moments in the Army to be remembered. In this reflection I want to take the time to share my gratitude to everyone out there who helped me get to this point.
First and foremost I want to thank my wife, Claudia, for being by my side for all these years. We met in college just before I commissioned and experienced every bit of the Bog Green Machine together. Claudia also served alongside me as well as a Family Medicine Physician at Fort Covazos and Fort Bliss. We grew our family in the military and are stronger because of it.
To my kids, Dominic and Brianna, my life didn’t have purpose until you two were in our lives. All of our decisions were made to ensure we would be there to see you grow into the great people we know you will become. The future is brighter because you two are our guiding stars.
To my parents, family members, grandparents, and great grandparents of past generations; your sacrifices were not made in vain. Every generation has a responsibility to bring the family forward to open new doors and generate new opportunities for the next generation. My success is a result of the conditions set for me by your hard work and commitment to family.
To my peers, leaders, and Soldiers I worked with throughout my career; when one of us makes it we all make it. I have had a blessed career and all of you have become my extended family of arms. It was surreal to see non-commissioned officers I served with during my first assignment and first combat deployment to Iraq all those years ago. I am also grateful to everyone who was there on my behalf to witness the momentous occasion.
To my friends who keep in contact with me, whether from military circles, Jiu-jitsu circles, or from all those years ago in high school and college when I was trying to figure life out; thank you for keeping up with me. Those small engagements and connections we continue to maintain are reminders of great experiences of the past.
Last, but not least, I have to thank God for laying out the opportunities available to me and my family. There hard times. My family and I have lost loved ones we wish we could have spent more time with along this journey. I live each day the best I can to honor those who are no longer with us.
The mission has changed, but my duty doesn’t end. I have a moral obligation to take what I’ve learned and apply it to the community I belong to in the future.
“Old Soldiers never die — they just fade away.” ~Gen Douglas MacArthur
Until next reflection my friends … Soldier for Life, Airborne, All the Way! One Team, One Family! ~Doc