Soldier brings unique perspective to BJACH Radiology team

Photo By Chuck Cannon | Spc. Will Foster, a 68P radiology technologist at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, often draws amused glances from BJACH patients. Foster, a native of England and the son of a U.S. Army JAG officer, holds dual citizenship and hopes to one day become a physician's assistant and spend a career, like his dad, as a Soldier.  

FORT POLK, LA, UNITED STATES

05.24.2019

Story by Chuck Cannon 

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

FORT POLK, La. — Imagine going to Fort Polk’s Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital Radiology section for a CAT scan and being welcomed by the smiling face of a Soldier who greets you with a decidedly British accent.
“Yes, I do get funny looks from some patients,” Spc. Will Foster, a member of the BJACH Radiology team, said. “They’ll sometimes look at me like, ‘Are you for real?’”
Yes, Virginia, Foster is a real Soldier. The native of England, from just outside Manchester, is also a U.S. Soldier with the military occupational specialty 68P — radiology specialist.
Foster’s mother, Victoria, who is English, married an Army Judge Advocate General Corps officer — Will’s dad, Walter.
“My dad is still in the Army and is a lieutenant colonel stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky,” Will Foster said. “He’s basically the reason I’m in the Army today.”
Having a British mom and American dad allowed Foster to hold a dual citizenship, opening the way for him to join the U.S. Army. During a visit with his dad in California — where his dad was stationed — a little more than two years ago, Foster made the decision to join the Army.
“I wanted to carry on a family tradition,” Foster said. “In my family, nearly everyone’s been in the Army, Air Force or Navy, all the way back to the Revolutionary War, which is pretty ironic. We’ve gone full circle.”
Foster said during that visit with his dad, the two discussed his future.
“Dad has always told me how joining the Army was the best decision in his life, that it set his future up and gave him so many experiences and life lessons,” Foster said. “He said he thought it would be the perfect thing for me as well.”
His mother was reluctant for Foster to join the military, he said.
“Mom initially didn’t want me to join; it took a lot of convincing from my dad that I would be fine,” Foster said.
“In England, the military isn’t pushed as hard. It’s smaller with no general health care. It’s a smaller option.”
With his British accent, Foster said his drill sergeants in basic training had fun with him.
“One of my drill sergeants would always tell me, ‘Do it for the Queen’, anytime they wanted me to do something,” Foster said.
“Even during my PT test, I was doing pushups and the drill sergeant was counting them, and he said, “Come on Foster, do one more for the Queen.”
Foster said he chose to become a radiology specialist at the recommendation of relatives who had also served in the 68P MOS.
“They said it was a brilliant job that set you up well for when you become a civilian,” he said. “That convinced me.”
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Kyger, BJACH Radiology section NCOIC and Foster’s supervisor, said the young Englishman has brought a different dynamic to his team.
“He (Foster) has different points of view and gives more perspective, looking from outside of the typical view inward,” Kyger said. “He’s used to more of a socialized medicine system in the UK, and their providers don’t make near what stateside providers make, nor is healthcare as costly. It’s interesting to see his point of view on medical issues.”
Foster is finishing up a class to become a CT tech and Kyger said that will add more flexibility to his section.
“Being trained as a CT tech will reduce the stress of our Soldiers because it will give us one more technician for the work schedule,” Kyger said.
Foster said joining the Army has changed his life and taught him many life lessons.
“Before the Army, I was quite shy, not a good public speaker. Now I can talk in front of people and it’s made me more professional,” he said.
While some might downplay the advantage of an assignment at Fort Polk, Foster said that’s not true for him.
“I’ve enjoyed being stationed at Fort Polk,” he said. “There are so many things to do here. I’ve visited New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
“I try to get out as often as possible. I’ve been to Texas. This is a great place to be stationed. It’s another culture lesson than what I grew up with. It has taken some getting used to some of the ways people think in America; the ideology is a lot different. But I love the people here.”
Foster said he plans to make the Army a career.
“I’m going to work on getting a commission and becoming a physician’s assistant,” he said.
““I think that is something I would enjoy in the Army.”
So, if you happen to hear an American Soldier with a British accent on your next trip to BJACH, you’re not hearing things. He’s actually here. And he’s more than willing to help his Soldier Family.
As his supervisor said: “He’s a great complement to our team and we’re glad to have him.”

• Date Taken: 05.24.2019
• Date Posted: 05.24.2019 10:36
• Story ID: 323880
• Location: FORT POLK, LA, US