Rp logo flat shadow
Command Post What is this?
Posted on Dec 1, 2014
COL Doctoral Candidate In Emergency Management
15.5K
80
30
21
21
0
Avatar feed
Responses: 17
Votes
  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Votes
MSG Brad Sand
2
2
0
Well, in truth, I balanced the two by retiring as soon as I could. It was the least I could do.
(2)
Comment
(0)
SFC Unit Administrator
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Truly, the hardest thing I've ever had to do is balance my career, the reserves and being a parent. But, I devote as much time as possible to my kids when I am home. 
(1)
Reply
(0)
MSG Brad Sand
MSG Brad Sand
>1 y
SFC (Join to see)

Mine is a long story and I can understand where you are coming from. Each component, command and leadership team has it own set of challenges and some are harder than others.
For me, it seemed the best option was to take my toys and go home. I miss it every day...well most days.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
SPC(P) Jay Heenan
2
2
0
Great topic and post ma'am! I try to give my family my all when I am not on duty. Army life is hard on family, I always thought that the Army should give out awards to wives and children. The Army calls the NCO corps the 'backbone of the Army', I think it is our families that is, in fact, the backbone of the Army.
(2)
Comment
(0)
COL Doctoral Candidate In Emergency Management
COL (Join to see)
>1 y
SPC(P) Jay Heenan totally agree...The Army has changed over the last 4 decades in how it treats families and I have to say has been extraordinarily good to mine (much more so than when my dad lost my mom). I appreciate retirements where the folks are sure to get the letter from the President for the spouse and I have had commands where they do a letter from the commander to each child which is super special.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
Capt Richard I P.
2
2
0
COL (Join to see) Ma'am, great article. A topic that has been big on my mind lately. The other comments have captured it well. I'll have to look at that episode of nanny 911.
(2)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
SSG Edward Tilton
1
1
0
You are a SOLDIER (sailor, marine, airman) that is your duty, even if it costs your life. Your spouse has to be able to pick up the pieces in case you don’t come back. You have to trust that they will
(1)
Comment
(0)
COL Doctoral Candidate In Emergency Management
COL (Join to see)
4 y
SSG Edward Tilton in an ideal world that is absolutely true but this is not the America of the 50s...even one of my mentors had his wife abandon him with 2 little girls when he had to deploy to Vietnam in the late 60s...not all spouses are created equal, as a commander had many situations of wives and husbands abandoning their responsibilities to their children and service member spouse or God forbid something bad happen to them so they could not fulfill them. The key is having a larger backup than just one person and a very good family care plan in place even if you are married because emergencies do happen like disease and car accidents.
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CPT(P) Miccc Student
1
1
0
Ma'm, I am currently in ABOLC and as the course load picks up in finding less and less time to spend with my wife and daughter. I'm exhausted by the time I get home and my daughter is in bed half the time. It's bothering me that I cannot find the time to be with my daughter. Do you have any advice on how to deal with this?
(1)
Comment
(0)
COL Doctoral Candidate In Emergency Management
COL (Join to see)
4 y
CPT(P) (Join to see) my apologies for not seeing this...went off the site for about a year. I sincerely hope you found a way to balance and could share here for others as a follow-up. When I was in my masters I would put the time for the kids on my calendar and have a plan to do something fun with them.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
1
1
0
COL (Join to see) as others have said you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I did most of these and can proudly say my three grown sons have all turned out to be respectful professional men. They make me proud and every day I tell them that I love them and still give them a hug every time I see them! Good luck with yours, I'm sure your gonna do great!
(1)
Comment
(0)
COL Doctoral Candidate In Emergency Management
(1)
Reply
(0)
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
PO2 Jonathan Scharff
4 y
COL (Join to see) Just as an update and clarification I have 3 boys. My first has a masters in Computers science and a great high paying job. My second is a JAG in the army. And my third is also in the Army currently in His 3rd year of law school through the Army FLEP program. So when I said I did all the things you are doing I meant it and the results are totally worth it. We also have an “adopted daughter” who went to Princeton undergrad and is now in her second year at NYU law. Most importantly all of them are honorable good people. So please keep it up!
(0)
Reply
(0)
COL Doctoral Candidate In Emergency Management
COL (Join to see)
4 y
That is fantastic PO2 Jonathan Scharff Thank you and your family for your continued service to our country!
(0)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small
CPO Customer Service Associate
1
1
0
I have discovered that I have indirectly built a mechanism within myself overtime, I know what's expected of me while in the uniform, and home and school. It comes now natural to the extent where I am constantly shifting roles... and it makes me stronger and more focused... like they say where would I need without my kids... at this point I need them as much as they need me... I love it and at times its difficult but it directly made me focus on what's important...
(1)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.