Dual-citizen continues family's tradition of military service

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Thomas Trower
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  A British-born American citizen took the oath of enlistment at the Professional Development Center here joining his brother as the third generation of his family to serve in the military Nov. 23.

Daniel Coughlin left the following day for Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to enter basic military training as the first step towards becoming an aircraft hydraulics maintenance technician. He joins a line of relatives who traditionally serve in the U.S. Army.

"Daniel kind of left the mold by joining the Air Force," said John Coughlin, Daniel's father. "His granddad was in the Army in World War II, I was in the Army and his brother is in the Army right now at Fort Hood, [Texas]."

After completing secondary school and some college and university courses, Daniel took a full-time job driving delivery trucks.

"I was looking for more adventure and opportunities," said Daniel. "I was in kind of a dead-end job and didn't know what to do with my life."

John admits he may have had a little to do with his son's decision.

"I kind of nudged him along to consider the military," he said. "I knew he was capable of better things. But, I left the decision up to him."

"My dad gave me the idea to look into the miltary, but my brother [Joseph] showed me the benefits," said Daniel. "It was an easy decision, I just had to find the service that fit me."

Daniel, who lives almost four hours away in the Manchester area, spoke with Tech. Sgt. Jason Joyce, 100th Force Support Squadron recruiter for the United Kingdom.

"The recruiter answered all my questions and set me up with a great job," said Daniel. "I'm ready to get to my first assignment. I'd love to go to Las Vegas, [Nevada]."

"I'm so proud of what he's doing," said Katy Coughlin, Daniel's wife. "He's always felt very strongly about the military, and it was an easy decision for him to make."