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Military traditions provide unique opportunities for father, son

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs
BLACKSBURG, Va. --  While surrounded by family and friends, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Joe Dolan faced his father Brig. Gen. John Dolan, raised his right hand and took the Oath of Commissioned Officers at Virginia Tech University May 16.

The event marked the first milestone in the newly commissioned second lieutenant's career--one he was able to share with his father.

"It was pretty unique to be able to have my dad commission me," Lieutenant Dolan said. "It is definitely great for both of us and for our family. They have been coming to his promotions and events for 25 years and today they were able to experience an Air Force event that included both of us."

For General Dolan, Assistant Deputy Commander for U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Assistant Vice Commander for the 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force, the opportunity to commission his son was very rewarding.

"As a parent, it was humbling to have a son follow in your professional footsteps," he said. "As an active duty member, I was cautious because I wanted to make sure it was something he wanted to do for himself. It has been very exciting watching him for the last four years."

Though being a part of the Air Force wasn't something the younger Dolan wanted to do since he was a child, he said it was always a part of him.

"I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself," he said. "The ROTC program provided me with not only the opportunity to continue my education without my parents having to pay for it, but the opportunity to do something more with my engineering degree."

Lieutenant Dolan served as a cadet wing commander and was also named AFROTC Distinguished Graduate.

"We were very excited," General Dolan said. "It was cool, and we are obviously proud of what he accomplished."

Lieutenant Dolan was selected to the remotely-piloted aircraft pilot career field.

"I am excited to go to RPA School," he said. "I hope to pave a new way and see a different side of my engineering degree."

The military ceremonies did not end there. After being a commissioned officer for a mere 24 hours, the new lieutenant proctored his father's promotion to major general May 17.

"We knew from the time he went into ROTC that I would do his commission, but my promotion just happened to be circumstantial," said the general. "The new job required the promotion and when trying to combine the two, the dates just happened to work out."

The ceremony included family and close friends. General Dolan's son Chris narrated the ceremony while a close family friend gave the invocation. The casing and unfurling of flags was conducted by two Marine second lieutenants who are close friends of Lieutenant Dolan.

"It isn't every day that a second lieutenant gets to promote his father to major general," Lieutenant Dolan said during the promotion ceremony. "But it is an opportunity I accept with honor."

Though during most promotion ceremonies the proctor speaks on the accomplishments of the promotee's career, Lieutenant Dolan talked about General Dolan's accomplishments as a father.

"If there is one thing he instilled in us, it was that nothing is accomplished without the support of the loved ones around you," he said. "We saw it as young children when our grandparents and other family members stepped up to help out when needed throughout his career. It was something I held with me and reflected on through my time in ROTC. All of my success is attributed to the support I had from all of you."

Once again surrounded by family and friends, the father/son duo faced each other with their right hands raised. This time, it was General Dolan who repeated the words of a familiar voice as he accepted the responsibilities that would come with his promotion to major general.

In a special nod to his wife, General Dolan said, "And to the matriarch of my family, I couldn't have done it without you."

General Dolan is set to assume the position of Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Command later this month.