As far back as Ron Webb Jr. can remember, he wanted to be in the Army just like his dad, and his dad’s dad, and like his family dating all the way back to the Revolutionary War. He joined the Utah National Guard’s 144th EVAC Hospital as the Vietnam War was winding down. 

After five years in, Webb transferred to the 19th Special Forces because he liked how they trained, what they did, their camaraderie and their adventures. His commander said he would be perfect for the team. He told him, “I don't want to be perfect, but it sure looks like a lot of fun."

In August 2003, Webb shipped out to Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, assigned to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force (CJSOTF). As the senior enlisted advisor to the command sergeant major, he oversaw all CJSOTF enlisted personnel and the people that deployed with the command, basically all the special forces operation units in Afghanistan at the time. He tried to spend most of his time in the field where special operators were because he found it rewarding to be with those “that were at the tip of the spear.” 

On Thanksgiving Day, Webb flew out to Khost taking food and treats to one of the forward deployed Special Forces Detachments that were part of the Battalion. As they were shutting down the medial clinic for the day, a group of riled-up teenagers overwhelmed guards at the front gate. “That’s when all heck broke loose and we engaged and literally put down a dozen kids,” he said. Webb recalls one boy surviving because he was able to put in a chest tube and re-inflate his lung. After recovering, the teen returned to the fire base and provided good intel information. “He told me he didn’t realize Americans were such good people,” Webb shared. 

One of his favorite moments in Afghanistan was working with a group of Marines, mostly 18- or 19-year-olds. He enjoyed going on patrol with them, surprising many that he wasn’t sitting back in an easy chair. “The enthusiasm they had for their country was unbelievable,” he said. “They were patriots. They loved their country. They were so fired up.” 

Webb tried to take to heart and follow the best advise that his dad gave him: “Take care of your boys. And your career will take care of itself.”