In some Families, military service is more than an echo of their history. It's a tradition threaded through generation after generation.
For Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clifford N. Head Jr., human resource technician, 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Commandos," 10th Mountain Division (LI), it all started with a photo album and a story.
Growing up in Whigham, Ga., Head remembers how his father, Clifford Head Sr., would set him on his lap and tell him about his experiences in the U.S. Navy.
"My father would always bring out his Navy books and tell me stories about how he was on the USS Yorktown and the USS Ticonderoga that took him all over the world, from the Philippines, to Europe and Japan," Head explained.
The stories his father shared of his 21 years as an aircraft mechanic for the U.S. Navy caught Head's interest and would later inspire him to serve his country.
Those stories and childhood memories of his father's adventures stuck with Head throughout high school, increasing his desire to collect his own in hopes of one day sharing them with his Family. Shortly after graduating from high school, he followed his dream and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in the summer of 1987.
During his first four years of service, he rose to the rank of private first class, deploying to Liberia in support of Operation Sharp Edge in 1990 and Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm in 1990-91.
After redeploying to the United States and nearing the end of his military contract, Head decided to exit the service, return home to work as a sales clerk in a local convenience store and spend time with his Family.
Head would often joke with his father, saying that his four years as a Marine were harder than his dad's 21 years in the Navy.
"I did four years in the Corps and that equals 20 years in the Navy," Head would say. "My father would just laugh and say, 'where's your retirement check?'"
Hearing about the benefits his father receives from the military planted an idea that would later be a factor in Head's future. While working out at a local gym, Head was offered an opportunity to join his local police department.
He missed being part of a team, and he accepted the job offer. After graduating the eight-week training program at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga., he was ready to serve once again.
For the next six years, Head served his community as a police officer, but he still missed military life.
"Even though there are many similarities between law enforcement and the military, I was still missing something," he said. "After comparing the pros and cons, the Army held the best fit for my Family."
Head said what he missed most was the teamwork, motivation and camaraderie he felt in the Army.
He also felt that since he already had four years invested, he could serve 16 more years and retire.
On May 10, 2000, Head left his Family again and shipped off to basic training -- this time at Fort Jackson, S.C.
"When I first found out that I would have to go through it (basic training) again, I wasn't happy," he said.
"Having been through the Marine Corps boot camp with a last name of Head, I spent a lot of time cleaning the head," he said, using the Marine slang for bathroom.
After completing Army basic combat training, Head stayed at Fort Jackson to study to become a human resource specialist.
Over the next 10 years, Head earned the rank of staff sergeant, but he felt he couldn't perfect his skills because of the constant mission requirements of being a noncommissioned officer.
Seeking an opportunity to become a technical expert, Head attended Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Ala., advancing his job knowledge and leadership skills. After completing WOCS, he was stationed with the 1st Armored Division in Fort Bliss, Texas, as a brigade human resources technician.
"Becoming a warrant officer gave me a chance to concentrate on my craft and (hone) my skills," Head said.
With his military career coming to an end, Head reflects on his 19 years of service as he prepares for retirement. Throughout his career, Head has always helped Soldiers, and he feels that instilling discipline, confidence and teaching them the fundamentals of their job is what makes our military great.
It is something Head said he could not have done during his tenure as a drill sergeant from 2007 to 2009 without the help of his Family.
"I could not ask for a more supportive team. Every decision I have (had to make), we have made together," he said. "When I went up for sergeant and staff sergeant, my wife was right there helping me study for the promotion boards."
With the consuming lifestyle of the military, Head stresses the importance of making time for Family.
"Being a drill sergeant was very hard on my Family and (me)," he said. "I left for work early in the morning (5 a.m.) and didn't getting home (until) everyone was is in bed (10 p.m.). There were times I didn't see my kids for two weeks."
Head said he believes that keeping an open line of communication with their Families is one of the things that will help Soldiers through their years in the military.
"I can't speak more highly of my wife and children for being resilient and being supportive of me being deployed to Iraq twice, Afghanistan and 'the trail' (serving as drill sergeant)," Head said. In his preparation for retirement, Head said he sees the changes the military has made and he feels the Army has gotten better at setting Soldiers up for success when transitioning.
"The first time I got out, there were classes, if you chose to go," he said. "Now these classes are mandatory, and (they) set you up for success in the civilian workforce."
Head said the military has taught him confidence and discipline -- skills that civilian employers are looking for when they hire new employees.
"There is nothing like going to a job interview and sliding your DD 214 (military service records) across the table and saying 'hey, that's me,'" he said.
As Head transitions out of the Army and prepares to retire this year, his daughter, Kerrigan B. Head, has chosen to follow in her father's footsteps by taking his place in the human resource field. She is preparing to attend Army basic training this year.
"I feel that my father had a huge impact on my enlistment into the military," she said. "I want to feel the same pride and responsibility as my father has shown (as I was) growing up."
With members of her Family serving in the Marine Corps, Army and Navy, deciding which branch would best fit her needs was not easy.
Ultimately, she felt more comfortable with the life she has already lived.
"I enlisted in the Army out of all the other branches, because I've already lived the Army life since I was 3 years old, and I have seen what can be offered to me through the work of my father," Kerrigan Head said.
But family history isn't the only reason why she chose to serve. Kerrigan said she is excited to join the Army and is looking forward to traveling, learning new skills and enjoying experiences similar to those of her father.
"I want to continue my education and create my own adventures with the places I will travel in this career field," she said.
Head said he feels honored that his daughter is continuing the family tradition.
"I cannot be prouder," he said. "I am so lucky to be allowed to share in her moment."
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