4 thoughts on “This is the America I know and love”
He. Has. A. Newborn. And. Toddler. Yet. They. Deployed. Him. Anyway.
“Glory be, this deh ‘Muricah Ah Loves!” THHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHPPPPPPPTTTT
The military issued you a uniform and the equipment to do your job.
The military did not issue you a family.
You leaving your unit short staffed isn’t acceptable but you do get more parental leave than most businesses give out, although it might have to wait for operational commitments to be met first.
I joined the military single, I wasn’t issued a wife I got a non-milspec one for myself, non-spec even if her father was still in active service.
The first year we were married, I was home for approximately six week due to various training courses with most of that ‘home time’ being spent at work or away from home doing range work. Young Privates don’t get that much leave or much of a say in what they’re assigned to do. I knew that when I joined, and so did she, more than I did since her father had been in for her whole life thus far.
I wasn’t issued children either.
I produced them without permission or approval from higher command, that makes them my sole problem, not the military’s.
When my youngest was born, I brought him and his mother home from the hospital, kissed them goodbye on the front doorstep, went to the hangar and got on a plane to go to Germany for nine weeks. Things that were planned and put in place long before the pregnancy even started wouldn’t wait.
If everyone’s personal problems were put at the forefront then no operations, training or actual battle, would ever take place.
I signed up for duty voluntarily, my family didn’t. They were afforded the best of support while I was gone, the non-essential personnel of the Sqn and those in other Sqn’s plus friends and neighbours made sure the yardwork was done, rides were provided for grocery trips and other appointments since my wife doesn’t drive and even a little babysitting for a much needed break from a newborn was supplied, the same way as we’d both supplied support for others when needed. That’s the difference between military or ex-military and most civilians nowadays.
Casting aspersions on the military and those serving in it, particularly by someone who apparently has never served or would now better, shows only a complete lack of knowledge and quite possible a little bit of envy for doing the job the caster wouldn’t do themselves.
The anecdote tha tstarted this may or not be true but I’ve seen the same sort of thing happen numerous times, even after retirement and it’s good to know that sometimes all you need is a sincere “thank you” because sometimes that’s all you have left to give.
good points all. First you have the Barracks Bunnies chasing after the dream of becoming a COW, then they become a Dependa and of course you have to keep them busy so you give them kids to occupy their time.
If the Military didn’t provide it, you don’t need it
Well said.
I am sure while the anecdote posted may not be exactly true, things like this happen all over the US: people helping people. People who need help–whether they are a military wife (or husband), an elderly person, or someone with a cold–or on vacation. Or have a sick kid.
He. Has. A. Newborn. And. Toddler. Yet. They. Deployed. Him. Anyway.
“Glory be, this deh ‘Muricah Ah Loves!” THHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHPPPPPPPTTTT
The military issued you a uniform and the equipment to do your job.
The military did not issue you a family.
You leaving your unit short staffed isn’t acceptable but you do get more parental leave than most businesses give out, although it might have to wait for operational commitments to be met first.
I joined the military single, I wasn’t issued a wife I got a non-milspec one for myself, non-spec even if her father was still in active service.
The first year we were married, I was home for approximately six week due to various training courses with most of that ‘home time’ being spent at work or away from home doing range work. Young Privates don’t get that much leave or much of a say in what they’re assigned to do. I knew that when I joined, and so did she, more than I did since her father had been in for her whole life thus far.
I wasn’t issued children either.
I produced them without permission or approval from higher command, that makes them my sole problem, not the military’s.
When my youngest was born, I brought him and his mother home from the hospital, kissed them goodbye on the front doorstep, went to the hangar and got on a plane to go to Germany for nine weeks. Things that were planned and put in place long before the pregnancy even started wouldn’t wait.
If everyone’s personal problems were put at the forefront then no operations, training or actual battle, would ever take place.
I signed up for duty voluntarily, my family didn’t. They were afforded the best of support while I was gone, the non-essential personnel of the Sqn and those in other Sqn’s plus friends and neighbours made sure the yardwork was done, rides were provided for grocery trips and other appointments since my wife doesn’t drive and even a little babysitting for a much needed break from a newborn was supplied, the same way as we’d both supplied support for others when needed. That’s the difference between military or ex-military and most civilians nowadays.
Casting aspersions on the military and those serving in it, particularly by someone who apparently has never served or would now better, shows only a complete lack of knowledge and quite possible a little bit of envy for doing the job the caster wouldn’t do themselves.
The anecdote tha tstarted this may or not be true but I’ve seen the same sort of thing happen numerous times, even after retirement and it’s good to know that sometimes all you need is a sincere “thank you” because sometimes that’s all you have left to give.
good points all. First you have the Barracks Bunnies chasing after the dream of becoming a COW, then they become a Dependa and of course you have to keep them busy so you give them kids to occupy their time.
If the Military didn’t provide it, you don’t need it
Well said.
I am sure while the anecdote posted may not be exactly true, things like this happen all over the US: people helping people. People who need help–whether they are a military wife (or husband), an elderly person, or someone with a cold–or on vacation. Or have a sick kid.