CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Military service is often a family tradition, as one generation passes along the values of duty, honor, and country to the next.
For one West Virginia National Guard family, that tradition now spans three generations. Tyler Phillips recently enlisted in the 1st Squadron, 150th Cavalry Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.
Phillips is the son of U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. James Phillips, the command sergeant major of the 1-150th Cavalry Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team. He was read the oath of enlistment by his grandfather, Daniel Phillips, who served for approximately 20 years in the 1-150th Cavalry Regiment, West Virginia Army National Guard.
The oath of enlistment is a promise and commitment to defend the Constitution of the United States. Individuals who join the military often invite family or friends to the enlistment ceremony. Tyler invited his family to his ceremony, but one person was thousands of miles away.
"I was filled with many emotions watching Tyler take his oath of enlistment in the presence of our family," said Command Sgt. Maj. Phillips.
Command Sgt. Maj. Phillips is currently deployed in the Middle East with the 1-150th Cavalry Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team. He was able to watch the enlistment of his son through a video chat app on his cell phone.
"Watching my Dad, Tyler's grandfather, a former officer and Troop Commander for the 1-150th Cavalry administer the oath to start Tyler on his career was simply priceless," he said. "It is something we as a family will never forget."
Tyler Phillips enlisted to be a 19D, a cavalry scout, the same military occupational skill as his father. All three of the Phillips have made their military careers in the West Virginia National Guard.
"This is an example of who we are in the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team and National Guard," said U.S. Army Col. Robert Bumgardner, commander of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard. "Old Hickory is about family."