Photo By Nicole Collins | Father and son, ITCM Rodney Dodson (left) and Petty Officer 3rd Class Alan Dodson...... read more read more
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As SPAWAR personnel witnessed the culmination of boot camp for a division at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, ITCM Rodney Dodson and his son Petty Officer 3rd Class Alan Dodson shared a proud moment. Together father and son experienced boot camp that week as ITCM Dodson of SPAWAR Systems Pacific, traveled with RDML Brady and CMDCM Flemon representing Team SPAWAR’s sponsorship of recruit division 301. Alan Dodson had the opportunity to participate in Team SPAWAR’s sponsorship activities with his father while awaiting orders for his first duty station at RTC Great Lakes.
The Dodsons are a unique and rare military family. ITCM Dodson and his wife, retired ITCM (SW/AW) Vivencia (Vivian) M. Dodson, married and raised five sons while serving in the Navy, often deployed and stationed overseas separately. Additionally, two out of five of Dodsons’ sons currently serve in the United States Navy and Army. Youngest Dodson son, Alan Dodson graduated RTC Great Lakes in September 2009 and recently completed Electronics Apprenticeship School. Second eldest son Sgt. Jason Bailey completed a tour in Iraq last year.
“I never realized what a positive impact it had on me until two of my sons made the same decision. Having served 27 years in the Navy and my wife, Vivian retiring after 30 years, we have a greater understanding of what military service has to offer. My wife and I both couldn’t be more pleased with our son’s decision to serve,” stated ITCM Dodson.
Throughout the two day’s touring RTC Great Lakes, ITCM Dodson and son ET3 Dodson reflected on their decisions to join the Navy and how it has positively impacted their family.
Like both of his sons, ITCM Dodson joined the Navy in March 1984, after high school graduation from a small town in Georgia. “My motivation was to travel; leave the small Georgia town and start a career and also take college courses while on active duty. After four years, I was a Second Class Petty Officer, had a family, and saw the Navy as a means to support my family, get my degree and also serve my country,” reflected Dodson.
So what words of advice did dad give son on his boot camp graduation day? “To focus very hard on school and maintain the good order and discipline he learned while in boot camp. Additionally, we gave him advice on what to focus on during his first tour after school and to complete his Bachelors Degree before his first enlistment expires,” stated ITCM Dodson.
The Dodsons’ two sons, Bailey and Alan Dodson have both been pleased with their decision to join the service. Today Bailey is finishing up his second bachelor’s degree and plans to continue his studies towards a graduate degree while completing his service commitment. Alan Dodson has five years left of his enlistment and is currently awaiting orders for his next duty station. “We are very proud and very humbled to know they joined to serve their country during a time of war,” stated ITCM Dodson and wife Vivian.
Both ITCM Rodney Dodson and wife ITCM Vivian Dodson reside in San Diego.
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2010 21:30 |
| Story ID: | 57640 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 304 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
This work, SPAWAR Military Family Serves Country Together during Time of War, by Nicole Collins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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