For those of us with children serving now. Does your sense of pride in your son or daughter out weigh your worry for thier safety?

SGT Patrick Reno — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:17:21 -0400

As I write this my youngest son is finishing up training down at Ft Irwin. He has been in the Guard for 7 years now. It does not really take a rocket scientist to figure out why they would send all those Guard soldiers down to Ft. Irwin to train. I can't help but think, Is this how my mom felt while I was in Germany and my brother was in Korea. I don't know if I worry more about Chris because he is my youngest or not. But the pride I feel every time I see him in uniform is huge. So for me, pride wins out over worry.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Aug 28 at 2015 11:10 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:10:52 -0400

I salute any children that followed in their parents' footsteps and entered the service. I've worked alongside parents with children serving in my day and the pride is like a medal on their chest. I think I'd feel the same way. My oldest is 14 and disqualified from military service due to his Autism and it's too early to tell if either of my 11 year olds will want to follow my lead yet. I know my wife will be overly-uber-mother-concerned if either of them did decide to go. I'd be more like, "yeah, don't do anything dumb" on the outside but still worry about them daily on the inside. One of my ROTC instructors ended up having all 4 of his children go into the military in some capacity and I know he was on cloud 9 as well as being a worried dad.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2015 11:19 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:19:46 -0400

He's a Reno - He will do well!

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Aug 28 at 2015 11:49 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:49:21 -0400

My oldest son (now 23) spent 4 years on active duty in the Marines and is now a Sergeant in the Marine Reserves. His Mom and I are both very proud and the only time we were immediately concerned was when he was in Helmand Province in Afghanistan in 2012. Providentially, he made it through without a scratch. The attached picture is of him preparing to go out on a patrol/convoy.

The world is still a very dangerous place and the reality is the reserves will be leaned on hard should the fit his the shan at any point in the near future.

Response by Robyn Morrow made Jun 4 at 2019 4:24 PM

Robyn Morrow — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 16:24:02 -0400

No as a mother I worry. I want my son. Yes I am proud he serves. However it’s a career path he has chosen. I am and always will be his mother first, he is my soldier second. Extremely proud yes. He is my son first and foremost.