Do you ever miss Christmas for military obligations?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:03:44 -0500

In 7 years of active duty, I missed 2:7.

As SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS reminds me that USMC stands for U Suckered Missed Christmas! If you missed Christmas, how many did you miss? Post your response in ratio form like I did above.

It's the little things that we do without....the large and the small sacrifices that make us appreciate it so much more. Thank you for all the Christmases you missed.

Response by LCDR Jamie Galus made Jan 1 at 2015 5:09 PM

LCDR Jamie Galus — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:09:41 -0500

3:22 for me. I have been very lucky.

Locations: Camp Hansen,Okinawa
Abuja, Nigeria
USS NASSAU underway in the Persian Gulf

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Jan 1 at 2015 5:19 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:19:04 -0500

5/22 Chrismas missed. Honestly, however, missing Christmas is just a small piece of the picture when compared to anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, funerals, and other significant events or the more important numbers of total time away from family. For example, I have been physically away from my wife of 19 years about 22% of the time (little less than 5 years), my 13 year old daughter 35% of the time (4 1/2 years), and my 11 year old daughter 30% of the time (3 1/3 years). Christmas is one day, months and years away add up over time and, especially with young children, can never be made up.

Response by Sgt Martin V. made Jan 1 at 2015 5:56 PM

Sgt Martin V. — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:56:06 -0500

2:4

Once while at MCRDSD and the other during deployment. Although during deployment I was lucky and spent it with my unit (versus being attached to another at the time) which was great.

Response by Cpl Terry Hutchinson made Jan 1 at 2015 6:42 PM

Cpl Terry Hutchinson — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 18:42:17 -0500

In 4 years of active duty I missed 4 of 4. I entered boot camp on Dec 15th. The first one was hard. After the next Thanksgiving, just another day in the life of a Marine.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Jan 1 at 2015 8:00 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:00:55 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member In my 23 year career, I missed 9:24.

Response by TSgt Kristin Parsons made Jan 1 at 2015 8:03 PM

TSgt Kristin Parsons — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:03:05 -0500

Yep, missed it twice in the past 4 years...2011 I was in Kyrgyzstan and last year was Afghanistan.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jan 1 at 2015 9:22 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 21:22:43 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member, this is my 29th Christmas since joining the military....I have missed 9:29.

I've spent at least one Christmas in each of the following countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Germany, Bosnia, Hungary.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 10:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:09:51 -0500

I've missed 2/3. In 2012, I was on deployment. This Christmas, I was on 24-hour staff duty here in Korea.

I feel fortunate to have spent Christmas 2013 with my family. My recruiter told me I would NEVER be with family for holidays, so he was 1/3 wrong! ;)

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2015 10:45 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 22:45:10 -0500

2:3 Christmas 3:3 thanksgivings 3:3 New Years But a lot people have missed a lot more!!!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 8 at 2018 10:42 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 08 May 2018 22:42:05 -0400

In 22+ yrs, missed 4.