Dad commissions son through VTC

Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Reinsch | Retired Brig. Gen. Roger L. Ward, ISAF Joint Command team lead for human terrain anaylisis, talks to Capt. Gregory M. Ward, his son, over a video television conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sept. 23. During the ceremony Roger commisioned Gregory into the U.S. Army as a medical doctor.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.22.2010

Story by Sgt. Michael Reinsch 

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan - Retired Brig. Gen. Roger L. Ward, Team Lead for the Human Terrain Analysis Information Dominance Cell IJC, commissioned his son, Capt. Gregory Michael Ward, over a video television conference Sept. 22 at Kabul, Afghanistan International Airport.

Gregory Ward was commissioned a captain for the in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as an ear, nose and throat doctor or an otolaryngologist.

“It means the world to me to have my dad read the commissioning oath,” Gregory Ward said. “I know I’ll learn much in the next five years and that will help me provide soldiers with the care they deserve.”

Gregory Ward spent several years studying medicine and recently completed medical school at Case Western Medical School in Cleveland. He is spending the next five years at Albuquerque, N.M., with his reserve unit at the Veterans Affairs Hospital to complete his five-year residency.

Roger Ward received the phone call from his son only a couple of days before the actual event. In the phone call Gregory Ward requested he would like to be commissioned by his father. Roger Ward obliged.

“I wanted to do the VTC because I am very proud of my son and I felt that it was a great honor that I could do it,” Roger Ward says. “I think he gets his will to serve in the military from me.”

Ward served in the U.S. Army for 35 years after his commissioning as an ROTC scholarship student at the University of Georgia in 1972. He knows the commitment that comes with serving in the military. His reserve obligation was four years of active duty and four more as a reservist. When Gregory Ward told his dad his minimum term of service was eight years, Roger Ward was not surprised.

Roger and Gregory Ward stood at attention and raised their right hands. Roger Ward administered the Oath and Gregory Ward repeated it back. Roger Ward gave a congratulatory speech and some advice about caring for his future soldiers. He told his son he’s proud of his service and the opportunity to commission him, even if it wasn’t in person. Goodbyes were exchanged and the Army welcomed a new officer to its ranks.

“It took me eight years to make captain and Greg did it in 80 seconds,” Roger Ward.
Gregory Ward is continuing his residency in Albuquerque, N.M., at the Veterans Affairs Hospital. Roger Ward is working at IJC in the IDC and has been since August.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2010
• Date Posted: 09.28.2010 03:19
• Story ID: 57108
• Location: KABUL, AF