Third-Generation Officer Takes Oath
(July 16, 2010) |
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Navy Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, Joint Task Force 435 commander, administers the oath of commissioning to his nephew, Navy Ensign Ian Kriegish, via video teleconference in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 9, 2010. Kriegish is a third-generation sailor in the family to serve as an officer. |
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KABUL, Afghanistan, July 13, 2010 One of the
Navy's newest officers joined the ranks in a
unique way July 9 when he received his
commissioning oath via video teleconference from
his uncle, a Navy vice admiral who commands a
joint task force in Afghanistan.
The commissioning of Ensign Ian Kriegish by
Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward, Joint Task Force
435 commander, marked the beginning of the third
generation of his family to serve as an officer
in the Navy |
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“We are all very proud of you -- proud of you for what you're doing,” Harward
told his nephew. “You're taking on this obligation when we're at war, and you'll
serve while we're at war. There's no greater purpose that you could have in
life, so go out and serve the fleet well.”
Harward introduced Kriegish to the Navy. As a recent honors graduate from
Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., Kriegish was undecided about his
future. But a visit to his uncle's home in Norfolk, Va., changed that.
“When he was visiting me in Norfolk, he didn't know what he wanted to do,”
Harward said. “I live near the [aircraft] carrier, so we just walked over and
walked on some of the ships. We talked to some young kids who were just junior
officers. He decided that joining seemed interesting, so he applied.”
After finding out that he had aced the entry test and had been accepted to
become an intelligence officer, Kriegish began Officer Candidate School.
“When he applied, he wanted intel, so he was excited to be accepted by them and
to have that be what he's going to do for the next few years,” Harward said.
After receiving his commission, Kriegish was congratulated by his attending
family and his video-teleconferencing uncle. “Congratulations, Ensign Kriegish,”
the admiral said. “I just wish I could be there to be your first salute.”
After a small talk with the family, Harward offered a parting, “Go get 'em,
Ensign Kriegish,” as he sent his nephew to join the fleet.
Joint Task Force 435 assumed responsibility for U.S. detention operations --
including the care and custody of detainees at the detention facility in Parwan
-- oversight of detainee review processes, programs for the peaceful
reintegration of detainees into society, and coordination with other agencies
and partners for the promotion of the rule of law in Afghanistan. | |
Article and
photo by
Sr. Airman William A. O'Brien
Joint Task Force 435
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2010
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