Photo By Sgt. 1st Class William Tanner | Master Sgt. Noel R. Sawyer Sr. (Left), an observer coach controller with Grizzly Team...... read more read more
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HOHENFELS, Germany – Growing up as the son of a career U.S. Army Soldier is not an easy life for a kid. Long days, late nights, missed birthdays and holidays can be tough to handle for both the Soldier and his family. It takes love, trust and a true understanding from one’s family to not only endure the military life but to thrive and make it a successful one. It’s this type of environment that has helped Pfc. Noel R. Sawyer Jr., a cavalry scout assigned to Palehorse Troop, 4th Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment determine what it was that he wanted to do with his life.
“I joined because my dad loved it and I thought I would be a good asset to the Army,” said Pfc. Sawyer. “I wanted to be a cavalry scout, like my dad, and I already knew a lot about it.”
Sawyer’s dad, Master Sgt. Noel R. Sawyer Sr., is an Observer Coach Trainer (OC/T) with Grizzly Team assigned to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. But unlike countless other men who have served their country faithfully and lived to see their children do the same, he’s fortunate enough to be able to help his son, by teaching him the job he knows all too well.
“My dad is the OC/T for our platoon out here and I learn a lot from him,” said Pfc. Sawyer. “It’s nice to be able to have a conversation with him about how to do better because he’s been in a long time and we share the same job.”
Seeing the two Soldiers, side-by-side, and the respect that each of them has for one another is more than noticeable. It seemingly transcends the bond that a mentor has with one of his junior enlisted Soldiers.
“He was often deployed as I was growing up but we’ve always been really close,” said Pfc. Sawyer. “My dad is my best friend and we’ve always been able to talk and be honest with each other.”
The word “Army” was never a bad word growing up in the Sawyer household. Even from a young age, Pfc. Sawyer experienced things that were only available to him because of his dad’s job.
“He grew up around the Squadron, Bradley’s and Tanks,” said Master Sgt. Sawyer. “When he was younger, I would take him to work with me during Sergeant’s Time training and he got to do some cool things like the ‘Call for Fire’ trainer.”
As a father, a man strives to teach his son as much as he can to help him make an easier path for himself throughout his life either by teaching him through his own actions or by relating to him through his past experiences.
“When I found out he was going to join, I sat him down and we talked about what it was like to be gone a lot as well as other things that come with joining the Army,” said Master Sgt. Sawyer. “But as soon as he was in, he was in. That is when I told him about all of the cool stuff.”
With his career coming to an end, Master Sgt. Sawyer wants to make sure that his son sees that he can enjoy the military life style while still being successful in the job field they share.
“I am close to retiring and I wanted to make sure I ended on a high note,” said Master Sgt. Sawyer. “All I ever wanted to be was a scout platoon sergeant and a Squadron master gunner, everything after that has been my ‘victory lap’.”
As one career comes to an end, another one begins but as the future approaches, Pfc. Sawyer is determined to not only make his dad proud but to support his father no matter what.
“Whatever he decides to do, I’m behind him,” said Pfc. Sawyer. “I hope to be like him one day. That’s my goal.”
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2015 09:06 |
| Story ID: | 152542 |
| Location: | HOHENFELS, BY, DE |
| Web Views: | 1,629 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Before they were Soldiers, they were father and son, by SFC William Tanner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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