Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Service becomes a family affair for these Ohio Air Guard members By Airman Megan Shepherd
                179th Airlift Wing
 MANSFIELD, Ohio - Many people in the Air National Guard refer to their coworkers as their 'Guard family.' In some cases, like the Burtons, they really are family. Cooper Burton stood next to his father as they both raised their right hands and recited the oath of enlistment Dec. 2 at the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio. Cooper enlisted into the Ohio Air National Guard and he is starting his career as a crew chief at the 179th AW. His father, Senior Master Sgt. Roger Burton, the fire chief at the 179th AW, reenlisted for the final term of his career. 'It's exciting to see your kids follow in your footsteps,' Chief Burton said 'It's definitely kind of emotional because he's going on his first enlistment and I'm going on my last.' Chief Burton first joined the military in 1988 as active-duty Air Force. Ironically, Chief Burton originally enlisted at the 179th AW on Cooper's sixth birthday. Chief Burton said Cooper started to show more interest in the Guard when he attended his older brother Zachary's graduation from Basic Military Training in the summer of 2014. He said he saw his son, Zach, grow so much once he joined the Air National Guard and is excited to see that for Cooper. 'Even if he doesn't stay and make a career out of it like I did, I think it's a good experience for him to learn the discipline, to be a part of the 'Guard family',' said Chief Burton. Although Chief Burton's career may be coming to an end soon, he is leaving quite a legacy. 'It's pretty cool that both of my boys are taking the same path,' said Chief Burton. Cooper said he is just a little nervous for Basic Military Training, but he is very excited to start this journey. 'I always thought about joining, because my father has always been in,' said Cooper. 'Growing up I wanted to be like him. Then, my older brother joined and that was just another thing that motivated me to join.' In the Air National Guard, airmen should always be training their replacements. As each incoming recruit raises their right hand, they are nudging another veteran out at the top. For every senior enlisted member who retires, there is a new generation of Airmen ready to serve and carry on their legacy. In this case, there is no difference between their family and their 'Guard family.'
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar
 By Airman 1st Class Julia Ahaesy,
  Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics
 By Jerry Hewitt,
  Nebraska National Guard Assists with Tornado Response
 By Nebraska National Guard
  More
 Massachusetts Guard Helps Host Crisis Leadership Seminar5/2/2024Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics5/2/2024Nebraska National Guard Assists with Tornado Response5/2/2024 View more Guard News »
 New York Army Guard Soldiers Heading to North Africa4/30/2024
Pennsylvania National Guard Members Deploy to Africa4/19/2024
US, Canadian Special Forces Forge Partnerships in Jamaica4/8/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 Enduring Partners 2024 Begins with Thai-US Airmen Exchange5/2/2024

Virginia National Guard Formalizes Partnership with Finland5/2/2024

Guam National Guard launches State Partnership with Palau5/2/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil