BMET father graduates BMET son

  • Published
  • By Lisa Braun
  • METC Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas --  Growing up, Christian Frizzell showed little interest in what his father, Chief Master Sgt. Charles Frizzell, did as a biomedical equipment technician (BMET) in the Air Force.

Throughout high school Christian participated in Junior ROTC and knew he wanted to join the military or attend a service academy. He was also very good at math, a sign to his dad that he might one day become an engineer.

During Christian's junior year of high school his dad became an instructor and Air Force Service Lead for the BMET program at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Christian would occasionally visit his dad at work and, having grown up around the field, actually knew some of the Air Force instructors who hinted he should follow in his father's footsteps.  But his dad never pushed him to become a BMET.

In fact, the elder Frizzell explained, "I wanted him to make his own way, do what he wanted to do, and not live under any perceived shadow or sense of entitlement as my son."

When Christian began the recruiting process for the Air Force they looked at jobs that Christian was interested in as well as translate into a worthwhile career field outside the military.

But when it came time to finally sign a contract and submit his job list, he surprised his dad. "He told me he put BMET number one," Frizzell beamed. "When I asked him why, he said because of me, because of his lifelong positive interaction with the field, the shop atmosphere and respect surrounding the field, and the fact the job was well regarded on the outside."

Frizzell continued, "It's a great feeling to know what you do professionally, as well as how you portray it to your children, ultimately resonates with them in such a positive way. It also cemented an investment our family had made in both the Air Force and the BMET field some 23 years ago that could potentially go another 30 years."

In fact, the family's BMET line runs even deeper. Christian's grandfather is a medical facility director of operations which involves a lot of interaction with BMETs in the civilian sector.

However, when Christian received notification that he had a spot in the BMET program, his dad knew he had to find another job.  "I could not serve as the Air Force Service Lead with Christian as a student," explained Frizzell. So he applied for and received his current position as the senior enlisted advisor to the commander at the 374th Medical Group at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

"My last day at METC was five days after Christian and his class started their BMET training at METC," said Frizzell. As it turns out, those five days were historic. "I believe we are just the second father-son BMET team the Air Force has seen.  However, we are the only father-son BMET team to actually serve together at the BMET school," he shared.

At Christian's class graduation ceremony on April 10, Frizzell was given the opportunity to present his son with his graduation certificate.  "I was so proud, both as a father and as a senior BMET in the career field, to do that.  It is, without a doubt, both a personal and professional highlight that I will never forget."

Going forward, Frizzell said he will definitely advise Christian whenever needed but at the same time he will allow him the opportunity to learn and experience certain things on his own to help him grow as a well-rounded airman and adult.

"No doubt he will face obstacles, but I will always be there to help."