Captain shares rare enlistment opportunity with son

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  With an F-16 towering behind him, the Italian Dolomite Mountains off in the distance, and his father standing before him, the stage was set for 18-year-old Marcus Hudson to take the oath that would begin his Air Force career.

Marcus and his father, Capt. Charles Hudson of the 603rd Air Control Squadron, were presented with a rare opportunity Aug. 12, for a father to enlist his own son.

"I was a recruiter for nine years and have seen a lot of young men and women take that step and enlist into the Air Force," said Captain Hudson. "But to see your own child take that step is an unbelievable feeling. I feel honored that he wants to follow in my footsteps and even more honored that I get to be the one to swear him into the service."

Having been born into the Air Force family with his father's career spanning over 22 years, Marcus said he knew from a young age that he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and join the military, but it wasn't until his high school years that he really started getting serious about it.

"The Air Force is what I know," he said. "It's been a part of my life since I can remember. I've traveled all over and seen all that my dad has done. Joining the Air Force just seemed like the natural step."

To prepare for his Air Force journey, Marcus solicited advice from his father early on.

"I was in his shoes 22 years ago and can say he is definitely more prepared than I was back then," the captain said. "I just told him to stay out of trouble and to work hard at school."

The next discussion the father and son had was what Air Force specialty Marcus would like to go into.

"I told him that no matter what job he decided on, whether it be a crew chief, cook, personnelist or cop; whatever the case may be, they are all vital to the mission," said Captain Hudson. "He just needed to decide what career fields interested him most."

After meeting with his local recruiter, Marcus opted to be a boom operator aboard an aerial refueling tanker.

"It just sounded like a great and rewarding job," he said. "I would literally be 'fueling the fight.'"

With his career plan in place, six weeks of basic training, followed by about 8 months of training, that includes technical school at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., and survival school at Lackland AFB, Texas, Marcus said he is looking forward to a long military career, much like that of his father.

"I really look up to my dad," Marcus said. "I've watched him go from being enlisted to going through Officer Training School and getting commissioned and was proud of him every step of the way. I've seen a lot of people approach him and thank him for serving our country. He's had a huge impact on my life and I'm glad to follow in his footsteps."

As Marcus' enlistment ceremony came to a close, both father and son thanked those members of the 510th Fighter Squadron, 603rd ACS, and other family and friends who joined in their celebration.

"This is something I will never forget," Marcus said. "Thank you all for being a part of it and making it such a memorable experience."