Brave Rifles Trooper honors father's service

By Staff Sgt. Tomora ClarkDecember 8, 2015

Brave Rifles Trooper honors father's service
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Jayson Shaw, a unit supply specialist with 3d Cavalry Regiment, pays respect to his father before departing the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Nov. 12 after his re-enlistment ceremony. Re-enlisting at the cemetery was Shaw's way of honoring ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Brave Rifles Trooper honors father's service
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Brave Rifles Trooper honors father's service
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chief Warrant Officer 3 Roger Andujar (left) talks to Sgt. Jayson Shaw, both Troopers in the supply shop at the 3d Cavalry Regiment, before a re-enlistment ceremony at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Nov. 12. Shaw wanted to honor the memory of... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SAN ANTONIO - Five years ago, a father sent his youngest son off to the military.

"I'm so very proud of you; I know you will do well," his father told him, his last words before the son's departure to initial entry training. "I hope you enjoy [the military] as much as I did."

Fast forward to present day, Sgt. Jayson Shaw's, a unit supply specialist with the 3d Cavalry Regiment, reenlistment window opened and prompted him to volunteer for three more years; he just needed to find the right place for the ceremony.

On Nov. 12, Shaw decided to reenlist at his father's resting place - the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery - to honor his father, and thank him for providing the push he needed to join.

"I had so many options available to me, but I figured there was no better place than here to honor my father and thank him for pushing me towards a life in the military," said Shaw.

But how was his leadership going to take the news of reenlisting him at the cemetery was the lingering question in his mind.

"They were ecstatic; they also felt honored to share in this moment with me by paying homage to my father who dedicated 27 years to the military - the Air Force to be exact," he said, relieved.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Roger Andujar, property book officer for 3d CR and Shaw's first-line leader, said it was his pleasure to reenlist Shaw.

"He always talked about the amazing man his father was and how much his father, a master sergeant, influenced his decision to join the military," Andujar said "Of course I would be there to be his reenlistment officer. When he mentioned his father's gravesite, I was on board immediately because I knew how much it meant to him and his family."

Shaw worked in the civilian workforce for 12 years prior to joining the military. When he thought about his career goals, he asked himself one simple question.

"Why do a civilian job and not have any progression?" said the Santa Barbara, California, native. "I should take my father's advice and join. I've seen the type of person it made my father, honorable and hard-working. I looked at it as an opportunity to make myself into a better person."

Shaw thought he would just do his initial enlistment and go back into the civilian workforce, but something happened.

"I started to realize I really enjoy being a part of such a wonderful organization; I wanted to thank my father in spirit but also thank chief," said Shaw. "It was important for chief to reenlist me because he took me under his wing and showed me things such as how to be a better leader and how to excel in the Army."

Andujar said leading and serving alongside Shaw has been a great experience.

"I have been in the Army for 15 years, and I can say that Sgt. Shaw is one of my best NCOs that I've served with," said Andujar. "Sgt. Shaw is a great NCO, and I'm glad to be a part of such an important, meaningful event in his life."

As Shaw, his family and fellow Troopers walked to his father's tombstone to do the reenlist ceremony, he smiled.

"My experience in the Army these past five years have been great," said Shaw. "And for all of the people I care about to be here with me truly means the world."