By Cpl. Christopher A. Calvert
Third Army/ARCENT Public Affairs
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait -- For many Servicemembers, deploying overseas results in an extended period of time away from loved ones. During these moments, troops often need support from their friends and families more than ever. For one Third Army father and son, deploying has brought them as close as they have ever been.
Army Reservists Chief Warrant Officer 3 Johnathan Keck, a Property Accounting Technician, and Basehor, Kan. native, and son, Pfc. Justin Keck, a Unit Supply Specialist and Manhattan, Kan. native, both assigned to 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment, have been deployed together here for more than five months.
"You can't miss the family too much when you have a family member here with you," Pfc. Keck said.
Upon graduating from high school, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keck said he had the suspicion Justin was contemplating joining the military as he had.
"I most likely influenced him to join," Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keck said. "My advice to him was to go to college first and get his degree. Now that he's joined, we work well together, we have some joint experiences, and we have more in common now than before."
Pfc. Keck said his father did influence him to join, and also motivated him to enlist in the quartermaster branch as well.
"I joined because I got lost on the way to college," Pfc. Keck joked. "I'm in the Army with my dad and it's great. I don't have to worry too much about him getting in trouble, because I'm right here with him."
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keck said that it is actually him who keeps his son in line, not the other way around.
"Sometimes Justin will say 'Hey dad,'" Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keck explained. "I'll have to correct him and tell him 'No, we're in uniform, it's chief.' It's me who doesn't have to worry about him getting in trouble because I'm here."
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keck said not only has joking between the two helped keep morale high, this deployment has also strengthened the bond between father and son.
"We've definitely built a stronger relationship," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keck. "We've been so close for so long now, we even live in the same tent. It's very unique, and I'm very thankful he's here with me."
Third Army is dedicated to taking care of its Servicemembers. With family members stationed together like the Kecks, Third Army is helping to boost the morale of Soldiers, the strength of our nation.
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