By Jillian Price
My father, Job Price, Commanding Officer of SEAL Team FOUR was and still is the most inspiring man I know. His career in the SEAL teams began after he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1993 with a degree in human behavior and leadership. He was commissioned in the United States Navy and later graduated from BUD/S with Class 193. He not only served at SEAL Team FOUR but also SEAL Team TWO, Naval Special Warfare Unit TEN, United States Special Operations Command Central, United States Naval Forces Central Command, and Joint Special Operations Command.
He was also very highly decorated and well respected. An overview of his extensive decorations include: four Bronze Star Medals, three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Ribbon, two National Defense Service Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, and two Afghanistan Campaign Medals, three Iraq Campaign Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, two Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons, the NATO Medal, the Expert Rifle Marksmanship Medal, and the Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal.
Although he was highly decorated, what matters most to me was the type of dad and overall person he was. There truly are not enough words to describe him, but he was loyal, funny, smart, caring, a leader, an achiever, and above all, loved his friends, family, and country. Not to mention, he was the most incredible dad with the best sense of humor. When I was born, my hands and feet were pretty large for my body, so he told my mom that she gave birth to a gollum from The Lord of the Rings. Thanks dad.
Furthermore, being an only child, I got to experience all of his attention and love, which was like no other. I also got to witness his true, unwavering love for my mother. We always had the best time together, him and I. I am thankful that I have the fond memories of him and me dancing to Party Rocker music, kayaking in our lake, visiting him at work, and playing video games together. I also remember when I taught him how to roller skate around the neighborhood, and it was not a pretty sight.
Sadly, our time together was cut much shorter than it should’ve been. Unexpectedly, on the harrowing morning of December 22, 2012, we lost him in Afghanistan to a gunshot wound to the head in his barracks. When my mother had to break the news of his passing to me, my heart was shattered. We were unbelievably devastated as a family. It’s the type of heartbreak and pain I hope no one ever has to experience, especially because I never expected anything like this to happen to me. I never even had the thought that my dad might not come home. Being only nine years old at the time, I was overwhelmed with grief and guilt, wishing there was something I could’ve done to save him.
Although it took years to overcome the grief and guilt, now that I am older, I am able to cherish the fond memories he and I shared. I am beyond grateful to be able to remember the moments of him being the best dad I could have asked for. In addition, I am able to reflect deeper on his accomplishments and appreciate his extensive service to our nation. I am so proud of him and everything he achieved. I’m so grateful that we had nine amazing years together and that I got to know him not only as my dad but as a person. He truly was such a special person, and he continues to inspire me every day.
After a year or so after my dad passed, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation reached out to my mom to let her know that they were always there for us, and they would help me on the path to success when I was ready to apply for colleges and beyond. Since then, SOWF has gone above and beyond by providing me with programs to prepare for applying to colleges, an incredible mentor, Cara Cima, and college-to-career programs. I am incredibly thankful for the SOWF foundation, as they helped make the process of applying to college and career preparation less stressful on us. The tools they have given me have allowed me to be successful both in and out of college.
12 years later, it still feels surreal not having my dad here to witness my own accomplishments, like my upcoming graduation in May. However, I am doing everything possible to make him as proud as he has made me. I continue to work incredibly hard at James Madison University, where I attend college, to attain a high academic standing. The past two semesters, I have even made the Dean’s List. Also, I have recently accepted a job in the durable medical equipment field. I truly do not think this would have been possible without SOWF, as I was able to gain an abundance of knowledge from the programs they provided us and grow professionally. Thank you, SOWF, for letting me share my story.
