Story and photo by Sam Campbell

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Nov. 8, 2018) — Maj. William Holcomb retired from his 21-year career with the U.S. Army Military Police on Nov. 1. It is the same day that his son, Pvt. Brody Holcomb, graduated One Station Unit Training to become a Military Police Soldier.

“I feel very proud to serve our country and not only that but to follow in my own father’s footsteps,” Brody said. “My dad had a very strong impact on me. To be honest, I went in knowing from (him) that it would be a challenging thing to complete but knew as long as I kept a strong mindset and stayed positive, I would make it through.”

William identified well with the trials his son has just completed. On the publicly and personally momentous day, William recalled his rigorous training experience and the personal growth that followed.

“I just remember that initial shock of being jammed in the back of a cattle car with everyone else that was in the company, not knowing what was going to happen next,” he said.

“To see that light crack as the doors opened and to hear those thunderous voices that held such command authority, I had no grasp on how that would develop me,” he added. “I truly respected the forming of something bigger, a team.”

Brody has much to look forward to after finishing the 19-week training course, such as his next assignment to Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he will enforce the law on the installation. He begins his new career as Veterans Day approaches, a day that has taken on new meaning in the form of family competition.

“I want to step up my game a little bit and see if I can accomplish more than he did,” Brody said.

While William’s retirement means additional free time to spend with family, he left the Military Police with a few parting words.

“To the older generations, I trust that you’ve done your best to shape and mold your Soldiers,” he said. “To my son, take everything I’ve ever shown you, exposed you to, taught you and continue to build upon it. Just give everything to the team.”