Fort Drum, N.Y.— Making the decision to serve in the military is not one that is made lightly, for some, it’s a dream.
Lt. Col. Tim Humphries, Synthetic Training Environment Cross-Functional Team (STE CFT) and Capt. Dan Humphries, U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, chose to follow their family legacy of service.
A recent Soldier touchpoint conducted by STE CFT brought Lt. Col. Humphries to Fort Drum, NY, where his brother is currently serving as an infantry officer.
Capt. Humphries was able to watch the Soldier touchpoint and learn more about the technology his brother is working to develop. Lt. Col. Humphries remarked his involvement with training systems that could one day be used by his brother’s unit makes the mission more personal.
The Humphries brothers serve in the U.S. Army to continue a family tradition inspired by their grandfather.
Tim and Dan’s grandfather, retired Col. James F. Humphries, Air Force, served 23 years as a pilot. He flew B-47 bombers in Strategic Air Command before graduating from the Air Force Test Pilot School, where he later became an instructor. From 1970 to 1971 he flew 101 combat missions in Vietnam, earning three Distinguished Flying Crosses.
“My grandfather had a powerful impact on my life and my decision to serve,” Tim said.
Inspired by their father, Tim and Dan’s father and uncle both served and retired as lieutenant colonels.
“Fueled by stories of adventure and participating in American history, I decided as a child that serving as a military officer was the only thing I wanted to do as an adult,” Tim said.
“Our grandparents established a multi-generational legacy of service and sacrifice, which has led to multiple grandsons serving as firefighters and paramedics. It has driven my brother and I to serve a combined 25 years of active military service thus far,” Dan said.
James is celebrating his 90th birthday in November.
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