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When Nathan Jones was in the 4th grade he had an opportunity to meet with the
North Carolina Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr.
Jones’ father, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bruce Jones helped set up the meeting as
part of a school project his son was completing.
During the meeting, nine-year-old Jones presented Ingram with a coin by passing
it to him through a hand shake, which is a military tradition used to show
appreciation for going above and beyond.
Ingram presented the young boy with his own coin and asked him what he wanted to
be when he grew up.
With his head cocked slightly and a roll of his eyes, Jones said, “I’m going to
be in the National Guard like my daddy.”
Years later, Jones has now kept his promise and raised his right hand, reciting
his oath of enlistment, given by his father, officially making him a Soldier in
the North Carolina Army National Guard during a ceremony at the Military
Entrance Processing Center in Raleigh, N.C. on August 11, 2017.
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August 11, 2017 - Nathan Jones, right, son of Chief Warrant Officer
3 Bruce Jones, left, the Force Integration Readiness Officer with
the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG), repeats back the oath of
enlistment to his father while his right hand is raised, officially
joining the NCNG at the Military Entrance Processing Station in
Raleigh. When Nathan was in 4th grade, he met Maj. Gen. William E.
Ingram Jr., the NC Adjutant General at the time and told him he was
going to join the NC Guard, just like his dad. (U.S. Army photo by
Staff Sgt. Mary Junell)
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Jones credits his father’s service as the inspiration behind him becoming a
Guardsman.
“I joined because I wanted to be like my dad and I saw that he was a hero,”
Jones said. “He inspired me to be that hero that I’ve always wanted to be and to
serve others.”
Although his father never doubted he would join, he is still impressed by his
son’s commitment.
“I’m amazed and proud all at the same time,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bruce
Jones, the Force Integration Readiness Officer with the North Carolina National
Guard (NCNG). “The fact that a nine-year-old boy had already determined that he
was going to serve his country, his state and others just amaze me. The fact
that he followed through on his statement to the highest ranking North Carolina
National Guardsmen that he knew at the time makes me proud to call him my son.”
Jones said that meeting the NC Adjutant General also helped lead him on his
journey to become a Guardsman.
“I remember looking up at him and thinking he’s a big dude at first,” Jones
said. “He was really cool and I’m glad that I met him. He inspired me, even
more, to be in the military and go down this path.”
Jones already understand the sacrifice it takes to be in the military from
watching his father, who deployed to Iraq in 2003 when Jones was almost four
years old.
“I told him at that young age that he was the default man of the house and he
took that to heart so many years ago,” Jones’ father. “He has always stepped up
to take on tasks while I’m away from home with Guard duty. I think somewhere in
his mind he equates committing to the service as part of his crossing over into
manhood.”
Every child deals with their parents leaving differently, but for Jones, it was
the source of his desire to lead of life committed to the military.
“He inspired me from the start,” Jones said. “I grew up with him talking about
military lingo that I'd never understand, but why he was talking about it I
started to get little bits and pieces of it. Then he went off a couple of times
and when he did it kind of inspired me to go off and fight for our freedom and
fight for our country and be able to die for our country. He inspired me in that
way too and as a dad, he encouraged me to follow my dream.”
Jones’ dream came true when he signed his enlistment contract shortly before he
recited his oath.
“I was happy when I signed, it felt right,” he said. “It felt like I was home.”
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August 16, 2017 - Nathan Jones, son of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bruce
Jones, the Force Integration Readiness Officer with the North
Carolina National Guard (NCNG), talks with Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, the
NC Adjutant General, after a ceremonial enlistment in Raleigh. When
Nathan was in 4th grade, he met Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., the
NC Adjutant General at the time, and told him he was going to join
the NC Guard, just like his dad. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mary
Junell)
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A few days later, Jones had the opportunity to meet the current North Carolina
Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Greg Lusk, who encouraged Jones to continue in his
father’s footsteps and stay in the Guard longer than his initial contract.
“You are on the first few rungs of the ladder that will take you throughout the
rest of your career,” Lusk said.
Lusk presented Jones with his coin for keeping his promise when he was a little
boy to one day join the service.
By Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Mary Junell
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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