Twenty-three years ago I saw something that will forever be etched into my memory. I did
not see a famous painting or a famous person. Nor did I see an amazing sunset or an amazing
natural landmark. What I saw was a face, the face of an eight-year-old boy.

We were in Knoxville, Tennessee, attending our first Advanced Training Institute conference.
Since we were new to ATI we didn’t know a lot about the programs that were offered, until the
opening night of the conference. That’s when it happened. That’s when I saw my eight-year- old
son’s face, and that’s when his expression became a permanent fixture in my memory.

The opening ceremony was nothing short of spectacular. Young men in uniforms, marching
down the aisles of the auditorium, carrying flags of every state and many countries. Marching
with such precision and uniformity, they were singing jodies as they marched.

My son was mesmerized, and his face said it all. He told me that he wanted to do that one
day. With tears in my eyes, I thanked God for leading us to this program.

What we found out that night is that there is a program called ALERT Cadet. It has been a
valuable tool in helping me gain the hearts of my sons. I have had five sons go through the
program and the youngest about to “age-out.”

Our local squad meets twice a month. We get together with other fathers and sons who are in
the program. As a dad, I like the accountability of the other dads. We encourage each other to
work on the handbooks, and we plan fun activities such as camping and canoeing with our sons.

My sons have enjoyed the meetings because they are with the other sons, learning new skills
such as knife throwing and starting a campfire using only steel wool and a 9-volt battery. We
have learned and memorized Scripture together, hiding God’s Word in our hearts, and played
games together like ultimate Frisbee and human foosball.

With many other Cadet fathers and sons from across the state, we have enjoyed overnight
trips aboard the Battleship of Texas, the USS Lexington, and the USS Razorback. And yes, my
son did get to march in the ATI opening ceremony on several occasions. His dream did come
true. But when I ask any one of my sons what was his favorite thing we’ve done in ALERT
Cadet, he would tell me, “just spending time with you, Dad, was the most important.”

Dads, your sons want your time. It’s so easy to say, “Not right now” when they ask you to
play a game or do something with you. Believe me, the time will go by so fast. That eight-year-
old boy is now 31! So, I ask you dads, “What will you do? What will you do to build that
relationship with your son?” I encourage you to consider joining ALERT Cadet, so that one day
your son will say to you, “Just spending time with you, Dad, was the most important.”

Submitted by 1Lt. Montie Davis