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Air Force mom re-enlists Army son via teleconference to Iraq

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Phil Ventura
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AETCNS) --  An Army soldier snapped to attention in the middle of a crowded conference room April 19 and, following the lead of an officer, began citing the re-enlistment oath. "I, Anthony Brubaker, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic..."

Though Pfc. Brubaker finished the oath, "So help me God," just like other soldiers, everyone in attendance knew this re-enlistment was unique.

It was not necessarily because the private is serving at Camp Anaconda, Iraq, or because the officiating officer was thousands of miles away, at Arizona's Papago Park Army and Air Force National Guard Headquarters, reciting the oath by video teleconference.

It was unique because the officiating officer was his mother, Air Force Maj. Patricia Brubaker - a nurse and flight commander with the 56th Medical Group here. For Major Brubaker, the act of re-enlisting her son continued a family tradition started by her father, who retired as a captain in the Marine Corps.

"It makes me very proud to re-enlist my son," Maj. Brubaker said. "It was something my dad did for me 18 years ago when I came into the Air Force."

At the time, Major Brubaker said she didn't recognize how special it was that her father had administered her commissioning oath. But after his passing in 1989, it took on a new significance. Since then, it has become a family tradition.

Major Brubaker and her husband, Vaughn, have three of their four sons serving in the military. The major enlisted their youngest son, Joshua, into the Army last year in Phoenix. Private Anthony Brubaker is six months into his deployment to Iraq, where he works in water purification. The Brubakers' oldest son serves in the Air Force and is stationed at RAF Lakenheath, England.

After Private Brubaker's enlistment oath, the family took the opportunity to catch up with one another. After sharing some family news, the private reflected on his re-enlistment and his mother's role in it. "In my heart, in my career, it's the best thing right now," he said. "It's a big boost she was able to (re-enlist me)."

The emotions of the moment nearly transcended the distance between family members.

"I feel like we're real close, but I can't hug you," said the soldier's mother.

"It means everything that I'm able to see you guys," responded her son.

And then, both parents chimed in and told their son, "Take care of yourself, and get home safe."