Wilmington Center Recruiter Enlists His Son

Sgt. 1st Class Bryant enlist his son Dequan

Story and Photos by

Shahron L. James

Public Affairs Specialist

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

“I am a proud Dad!”

These were the last words that Sgt. 1^st Class James Bryant said to his son, Dequan, before he ships to Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, S.C. 

Dequan is the exact image of his father. If you wanted to know what Sgt. 1^st Class Bryant looked like at 19 years old, just look at his son. Then you will be able to see that Dequan enlisting in the Army may not be a coincidence. 

“I told him that he could make his own decision, but that if he was going to join any branch other than the Army; I wanted to talk to them first”, said Sgt. 1^st Class Bryant

Bryant has been in the U.S. Army for 19 years; with 10 years as a Recruiter. 

Bryant states, “I had plenty of opportunities. Everybody wanted me to go to college and play football. My recruiter even wanted me to college and play football, but I realized I was not mature enough for college.”

Sgt. 1^st Class Bryant says that his recruiter even assigned him the 19D, Cavalry Scout MOS, in an effort to get him not to enlist.  

Fast forward 19 years and this month Sgt. 1^st Class Bryant has enlisted his son in the 88N MOS. 

Dequan Bryant is shipping out today and has a very similar story.

“I graduated from the Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, Ga. I was considering college, but I decided to work a little. I don’t think I would have been able to work and go to college”, said Dequan.

Dequan waited for a year after high school to enlist in college and sought out his Dad for enlistment.

When asked if his Dad pressured him to join Dequan said, “He let me decide on my own. I was thinking about it before and now I believe it is just a better path for me.”

“It is better than sitting around and doing nothing or making minimum wage with no benefits”, said Dequan.

Dequan stated that he considered playing football like his Dad, but after training with him for a day; he decided not to pursue it.

He states that he will believes he will like Basic Training and is looking forward to the Drill Sergeants trying to break him.

“I’m not afraid of Drill Sergeants. I have never had that experience, but I’m ready”, said Dequan.

Dequan appears to have a plan. He states that he is considering college after his first year in the Army, that he will most likely do 20 years, and that he is looking for good leadership.

“I just wanted something better”, he said.