Sgt.1st Class Darren D. Heusel, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affair

Most people at age 59 are thinking about retirement, collecting social security or even about living out the rest of their days lounging on a beach somewhere. But for one Edmond resident, serving his country is more important than looking for a place to slow down and relax — it’s about serving his country.

Inspired by his son’s service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and his recent deployment to Afghanistan, Dr. Brian Levy had a revelation while sitting in church one day. He should use his 30 years experience as a medical doctor helping soldiers.

Earlier that month, Oklahoma Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Myles Deering made it official by administering the Oath of Enlistment to Levy at the Oklahoma National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters before a host of family and friends, many of them his patients.

“I’d like to thank my son, Chris, for his service in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and for his service in Afghanistan, which is what led me to this decision,” said Levy, who attended a three-week basic officer course in San Antonio before reporting to his first unit, the 1st Battalion, 180th Cavalry Squadron in Durant.

Levy, who entered the service with the rank of major based on his years of experience, said his son, Chris Levy, returned from a deployment to Afghanistan in March 2012.

“In August 2012, I was in church and had this thought that this might be something I could do to help our Soldiers,” Levy said.

It wasn’t long after having that epiphany that Levy began the process of joining the Guard.

Sgt. 1st Class Susan Van Zante, who helped him through the process of joining the Guard, said she had to apply for an age waiver to enlist Levy and believes him to be the oldest person to ever enlist in the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

“I believe this is a first for us,” Deering said. “It’s an honor to have Dr. Levy in our ranks, a man with a vast experience in the medical field. I’m just proud to be able to fulfill his desires of giving back to his country like his son has.”

Spc. Chris Levy, 25, a member of Detachment 1, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, said it’s an honor to be on the same team as his father.

“I’m just truly proud that my dad and I can fight the good fight together,” Chris Levy said. “It’s an honor to work with him. I know the Guard has done a lot of truly positive things in my life and I have no doubt he will get a lot out of it as well.”

Chris Levy’s mother, Jane Levy, is proud of her husband too.

“I consider it an honor for Brian to serve and give back with all his training and experience in the medical field and his practice,” she said. “I’m excited for the people he’ll meet in this new endeavor and the experiences they’ve had and will get to learn from.”

Jane Levy went on to say her son’s service in the Oklahoma National Guard has “just really opened our eyes to the military and the sacrifices they make.”

Brian Levy practiced internal medicine as a primary care physician in Edmond for nearly 30 years. He has a broad range of experience that includes the diagnosis and treatment of complicated medical diseases, longitudinal outpatient care, providing urgent and emergent care, and treating patients in a hospitalized setting.

He also has a wealth of experience treating major depressive disorder and increasing experience with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“My short-term goals include learning about the practice of military medicine in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and to attend the Army Medical Department Basic Officer Leadership Course in San Antonio as soon as possible,” Brian Levy said.

He said he’s excited about serving his country as a physician in the Guard, adding, “While my age may be a concern for some who have reviewed my application, I see it as a positive as I will bring nearly three decades of experience to this appointment.”