How did I get here, anyway?

My entrance to the military was an unusual one. I didn't grow up wanting to serve in the military. My dad had served a few years in the Air Force years before I was born, but neither of my parents urged me to consider one of the services. The Cold War was still going, but there were no active battlefields as there are today.

I first became a Navy wife, and my husband's next duty station after we got married was at a Navy Reserve Center. The center had a Naval Reserve recruiting office, and the recruiters started trying to recruit me soon after we arrived. I'd never considered myself as the boot camp type, and kept putting them off. Once the recruiters discovered I had a college degree, they told me I could join the Reserves as an officer. I responded with, "OK, now that I would consider."

Basically, I applied to the Naval Reserve to see if they would take me.

Obviously, they did accept me for commissioning.  

Fast-forward more than 20 years, and I've had one of the best experiences of my life. Although I was never on active duty (before now), my naval career has allowed me to travel to England, Germany, Panama, and all over the U.S.; to work with many very talented people, and keep up with technology as it has changed over the decades. Without the constant training on new computer systems while on active duty periods, I would not have the tech skills I have today.

I almost left the reserves when I had only seven years of service. I had moved away from my drill site and had a young family. It just seemed too hard to continue with the Navy. My superiors urged me to rethink my choices and hang in there for a little while longer. That was almost 14 years ago. I am glad I heeded their advice.

During the 2000's I saw many shipmates mobilized to active duty. Some volunteered, others were involuntarily recalled. Although it seemed all of us might be mobilized, I never got the call. Until last October. I am part of a presidential recall, one sailor of many to head overseas to serve our country. The irony is that I reached the 20-year mark in my career a month and a half after I'd been tagged for mobilization. Some have asked, very sincerely, if I couldn't just retire instead of going overseas. While I'm certain that tack has been tried many times, I know that it is not only impossible but also, even more importantly, it is not the right thing to do. I have taken the Navy's money and training for 20 years. Now it's time to do what I agreed to do. When I raised my right hand and swore to protect the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, I also vowed to obey the orders of the President, my Commander in Chief. I couldn't even conceive of NOT obeying.

Is it hard to be separated from my family? Yes, of course it is. Is it a strain to leave my job and my business behind? Definitely. Is it difficult to adjust to life in "Big Army"? I think my blog posts have shown that to be true. Would I trade places with someone and allow them to go in my place? Unthinkable. My shipmates have dealt with adversity, separation, and stress, etc., etc. If I weren't going, someone else might be making a second trip to Afghanistan.

I consider it an honor to serve my country. I consider it my duty to go where I am ordered, and support the warfighters in the most professional way possible.