December 1st, 2009
Currently, I have served over eight years in the United States military. The common response I receive from other people is that I’m almost half way to retirement. My response is that it was a long and difficult half way. Even though the military has provided me with excellent benefits, and life skills that will help me succeed in almost any situation I pursue or encounter, due to the instability of being on active duty, I will not be re-enlisting for another term.
Throughout my career in the United States Navy, there have been several instances where I have not had to worry. For starters, worrying about medical care for my husband and daughter have not been an issue. Also, the military has always provided adequate allowance for food and housing so my family is well provided for. Plus, I found a home where the rent was $700 dollars less than what I receive for housing allowance so utilities are also paid for, and I can maintain my manicure and pedicure.
My travels have taken me from the bone-chilling winds of Chicago to the beautiful Mediterranean atmosphere of Marmaris, Turkey then onto the dry and windy deserts of Kuwait where, unfortunately, it feels like the oxygen is being ripped from your lungs by the 140-degree heat. When I first walked off the plane in Kuwait, and was walking towards the terminal, I thought that the plane had a very powerful and hot jet blast. When I turned around and saw that the plane had to be at least 500 yards away, I realized Kuwait was super hot. It was like standing in front of a hair dryer. On the other hand, Camp Doha had an awesome pool called the Marble Palace to cool off in. I at least came home seven and half months later with an incredible tan.
On the other hand, being active duty has taken a toll on my family as well as me. My military service requires me to spend several nights a month away from my family. In addition to these twenty-four-hour duties, I have spent any where from weeks to months preparing for and then leaving on long deployments. Unfortunately, as a result of the constant separations, my marriage was unable to stand the high pressures and demands of the military. Therefore, my twenty-month-old daughter will be among the ever rising and high statistics of having divorced parents.
Trying to attend class is also a very difficult achievement while being on active duty. I am constantly have to send up request chits to switch duty days so that I am able to attend my classes. Also, with no family in the area and a husband who works twelve hour shifts, homework can only be done after a my daughter finally goes to bed. This leaves me in a constant state of stress in which also affects my daughter. As this last semester became more demanding and my stress level grew, my daughter started to act out. My once perfect angel actually spit in my face the other day because I told her “no”. Therefore, I have also decided that I will return to finish my degree when I return to my home state after my service has ended.
Due to the affects that being in the military have on me and my daughter, I will be honorable discharged on August 6th, 2011. I will be able to say “been there, done that”. As well, I will also be able to say that I will be able to enjoy tucking my daughter in and reading her stories every night. Furthermore, I will be able to see my daughter grow up without missing a year of her life at a time. In the end, being able to spend my life with my daughter, the love of my life, will greatly out weight all the military “bullshit”, and I will not regret my decision.
Currently, I have served over eight years in the United States military. The common response I receive from other people is that I’m almost half way to retirement. My response is that it was a long and difficult half way. Even though the military has provided me with excellent benefits, and life skills that will help me succeed in almost any situation I pursue or encounter, due to the instability of being on active duty, I will not be re-enlisting for another term.
Throughout my career in the United States Navy, there have been several instances where I have not had to worry. For starters, worrying about medical care for my husband and daughter have not been an issue. Also, the military has always provided adequate allowance for food and housing so my family is well provided for. Plus, I found a home where the rent was $700 dollars less than what I receive for housing allowance so utilities are also paid for, and I can maintain my manicure and pedicure.
My travels have taken me from the bone-chilling winds of Chicago to the beautiful Mediterranean atmosphere of Marmaris, Turkey then onto the dry and windy deserts of Kuwait where, unfortunately, it feels like the oxygen is being ripped from your lungs by the 140-degree heat. When I first walked off the plane in Kuwait, and was walking towards the terminal, I thought that the plane had a very powerful and hot jet blast. When I turned around and saw that the plane had to be at least 500 yards away, I realized Kuwait was super hot. It was like standing in front of a hair dryer. On the other hand, Camp Doha had an awesome pool called the Marble Palace to cool off in. I at least came home seven and half months later with an incredible tan.
On the other hand, being active duty has taken a toll on my family as well as me. My military service requires me to spend several nights a month away from my family. In addition to these twenty-four-hour duties, I have spent any where from weeks to months preparing for and then leaving on long deployments. Unfortunately, as a result of the constant separations, my marriage was unable to stand the high pressures and demands of the military. Therefore, my twenty-month-old daughter will be among the ever rising and high statistics of having divorced parents.
Trying to attend class is also a very difficult achievement while being on active duty. I am constantly have to send up request chits to switch duty days so that I am able to attend my classes. Also, with no family in the area and a husband who works twelve hour shifts, homework can only be done after a my daughter finally goes to bed. This leaves me in a constant state of stress in which also affects my daughter. As this last semester became more demanding and my stress level grew, my daughter started to act out. My once perfect angel actually spit in my face the other day because I told her “no”. Therefore, I have also decided that I will return to finish my degree when I return to my home state after my service has ended.
Due to the affects that being in the military have on me and my daughter, I will be honorable discharged on August 6th, 2011. I will be able to say “been there, done that”. As well, I will also be able to say that I will be able to enjoy tucking my daughter in and reading her stories every night. Furthermore, I will be able to see my daughter grow up without missing a year of her life at a time. In the end, being able to spend my life with my daughter, the love of my life, will greatly out weight all the military “bullshit”, and I will not regret my decision.
"...unfortunately, it feels like the oxygen is being ripped from your lungs by the 140-degree heat. When I first walked off the plane in Kuwait, and was walking towards the terminal, I thought that the plane had a very powerful and hot jet blast. When I turned around and saw that the plane had to be at least 500 yards away, I realized Kuwait was super hot."
ReplyDeleteThis is a great description and piece of storytelling within the story.