Reunited: Air Force father, Marine son

  • Published
  • By Staff. Sgt. Amy Abbott
  • 452nd AMW/PA
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. --  As a long line of weary Marines marched off the commercial carrier and stepped back onto American soil, one corporal in particular stood out. His uniform was the same, desert cammies signifying he had just returned from a deployment to the Middle East. His professional demeanor was the same, tall, proud, like that of all Marines. Yet, stepping off the plane his face lit up as he saw something none of the others could see - his father. 

There on the flight line at March, Maj. James Bullard, the 452nd Air Mobility Wing's executive officer, greeted his son, Marine Corporal Gabriel Bullard, who was just returning from a deployment to Iraq. 

"I was looking forward to this. I was waiting for him ... looking for him when I got off (the plane)," Cpl. Bullard said. "He saw me off and I knew he'd see me back." 

But this family reunion had extra significance to the Bullard men. Dad Bullard himself had also deployed to Iraq and just a few months after he returned home last year, his only son left to walk in his father's dusty footsteps. 

"Part of me is a fellow warrior, and that part is extremely proud that he is serving in the fight. But I'm also his father, and so I was concerned," said Maj. Bullard. 

Maj. Bullard joined the Air Force in 1972, as he said, "because I like airplanes." Starting on the enlisted side as a Chinese linguist he worked to obtain his bachelors degree. After earning his degree, he was commissioned and has made a career of the Air Force serving on active duty, in the Air National Guard, as an individual mobilization augmentee and in the Reserve. 

In September of 2005, Maj. Bullard was deployed to the Middle East. 

"I think it was more difficult on them when I left," Maj. Bullard said, referring to his family
that also includes his wife and two daughters. "That's because, at the time, we simply didn't know what to expect over there." 

Maj. Bullard's new home away from home ended up being in the infamous area dubbed the Green Zone. Being in the heart of Baghdad, the only thing that separated his living and work areas from the Red Zone, or unprotected areas, was simply 12 foot concrete barriers. 

Describing the conditions he explained that, even though the majority of local Iraqi people are "a lot like us," there is still a lot of fear and violence in the country. He tells the story of a local Iraqi who was employed within the Green Zone, whom he knew. The man was found one day shot 11 times, simply for working with the Americans. 

"There was small arms fire every day without exception," Maj. Bullard continued. 

Yet, after completing a deployment of four months, Maj. Bullard extended for another two. Towards the end of his tour, Maj. Bullard's son was expected to be deploying to Iraq and the two thought they would be in country together for a short time. Instead, Cpl. Bullard was reassigned to the following deployment and his tour was pushed back. So Maj. Bullard returned home to his family, only to have his son turn around and head off a couple months later, to the desert he had just left behind. 

"I think my going made it a little easier for him. Had he gone first it would have been much harder," Maj. Bullard said. "The reason why is because I was able to share with him some of what to expect." 

Twenty-six-year-old Cpl. Bullard had graduated from college earning his bachelors degree and, always looking for ways to challenge himself, joined the Marine Corps. 

"I did think about joining the Air Force, and this is no disrespect to the Air Force but, I wanted that challenge," Cpl. Bullard said. Then, looking at his father and laughing, he added, "There only needs to be one Air Force in the family." 

He graduated boot camp in August of 2005 with dad, proudly wearing his Air Force blues, watching. But even though Maj. Bullard is a career Air Forcer, he admits, "you just can't help but be proud when your son is a Marine." 

One year after his military graduation, Cpl. Bullard headed to Camp Al-Taqqadum, Iraq, about six kilometers south west of Fallujah. Though it wasn't as protected as the Green
Zone, the insurgency was not as concentrated in that area, something Maj. Bullard is very grateful for. 

He was also able to keep in touch with home through e-mails and once in a while,
get in an occasional phone call. 

The young corporal lived in what he called a "can" and worked in a "meat container."
But despite it all he said it was durable because he live with his buddies, "his fellow Marines." 

"No matter what situation you get dropped into, it's amazing how well you adapt," said Cpl. Bullard. 

While deployed, he attended a corporal's course held there. Cpl. Bullard earned Honor Graduate distinction, once again making his father proud. He was also utilizing any spare time he had by teaching himself the Japanese language in preparation for his next duty assignment to Camp Fuji, Japan. 

Anticipating the arrival of his son, Maj. Bullard explained that the deployment will result in a stronger relationship with his son. They will both be able to share an understanding and bond that not too many fathers and sons can experience together. 

"It's different. You have to be there on the ground to know what it's like," said Cpl. Bullard. "I don't think the average American knows." 

When asked if Maj. Bullard wanted Cpl. Bullard to pursue a career in the military he responded in true supportive father fashion. "He is constantly wanting to take on challenges. As a father, I just want him to do what he is gifted at."