Photo By Master Sgt. Eric Burks | Jacob Bridgman takes the oath of enlistment Nov. 12 at the Salt Lake City Military...... read more read more
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SALT LAKE CITY – This Veterans Day, Jacob Bridgman had a “last supper” of sorts with his family, including retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Bridgman, his father.
The next day, the torch of military service passed from father to son as Jacob recited his own oath of enlistment and left for Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
“I’m both excited and nervous,” Jacob said, “but I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Seeing his own son getting ready to leave for basic made John reminisce of his own training.
“Although it’s been 30 years, it brought back a lot of memories of when I got on the bus after enlisting,” John said.
Jacob began thinking about following in his father’s footsteps around the age of 12, he said. However, when he was a little older, he considered other options such as a career in the Federal Bureau of Investigation or another intelligence agency.
“Then I realized that with the Air Force, I could do both,” he said. After basic training, he will attend technical school for operations intelligence.
“It seemed like the best route,” Jacob said. “I’ll be serving while getting great work experience, a full-time pay check, and other benefits like the GI Bill.”
After Jacob, the second of John’s three sons, was born in Mountain Home, Idaho, the Bridgman family relocated just twice – to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, then Dugway Proving Ground, Utah – before John retired in 2007 after 24 years of service.
“I grew up as a ‘military brat,'” he said, “but we didn’t move as often as you might expect, so another reason I enlisted is to explore and experience the world outside Utah.”
While Jacob was waiting for his “ship out” date in the Air Force’s Delayed Enlistment Program, he worked several different jobs around Dugway.
“For several months, I worked for the Army full-time doing testing support and data collection,” he said. “It gave me a better understanding of how installations work behind the scenes, and the daily interaction with Army soldiers and Marines really highlighted some of the differences between branches.”
Jacob added with a smile, “It really convinced me that the Air Force was the right path for me.”
He said it was a great experience to spend Veterans Day with his father, just as his own enlistment was about to begin.
“It was nice to see how you’re treated as a veteran,” Jacob said, “how people respect that service and commitment.”
John echoed his son’s sentiment.
“It was an honor to serve,” John said. “I think everyone should, because your country gives so much to you, we should all give something back.
We’re very proud of Jacob and wish him the best,” he added.
Editor’s note: This is the second article in a series featuring airmen who have recently enlisted and are currently in Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2013 16:40 |
| Story ID: | 116758 |
| Location: | SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US |
| Hometown: | DUGWAY, UT, US |
| Web Views: | 747 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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