With no warning I became a mom of a military child. Over 15 years ago when my daughter, Erin joined the Air Force. My family was not a military family. My grandpa served in World War I, but he never really spoke about being the military. I was unfamiliar of what military life was all about.

Our daughter was in her second year of college when she came home from school that day and informed my husband she had joined the Air Force.  I was in shock!  I though she was stressed out from school. She was a child that did see everything in black and white. She use to get upset when kids in her class did not follow the rules!  I did remember when she was in grammar school at parent teacher conference the teacher informing me that Erin tested with high skills with following procedures and she did have difficulty seeing things in the grey area. This is why today she has been so successful in her career.

Erin reassured my husband and I that she had considered joining the military service when she was a freshman in high school, even though she never mentioned it to us. She searched all branches of the military and felt the Air Force was the one for her. I know there are many mothers just like myself, that have experienced their child’s sudden enlistment to the military. Its very surprising, and as a mother you have many mixed emotions. They are being responsible but, it’s their safety you are worried about.

But as a mother our job is  to support and encourage our children to follow their own dreams. And sometimes those dreams can be difficult for mothers, I know I had many concerns. I think we never really disconnect that umbilical  cord.

What can you say, when your child wants to be  being responsible, feels pride for our Country and wanted to protect the people of our Country.

Many things have changed over the years since our daughter  joined the Air Force. Our daughter married, had two children, moved 5 times, our Country went to War, she divorced, deployed to Afghanistan, remarried and will redeploy this fall. Here is her picture when she was informed of her  promotion to Master Sergeant. We as a family are so proud of her.

It’s been an interesting journey having our daughter in the military. My husband and I have faced many challenges and during those those times we have experienced some of the most rewarding times of our lives.

I hope those military moms out there know how much their children truly appreciate their support. My daughter tells me all the time. we all know military life can be very stressful for everyone concerned, but when it’s you calling you must follow your heart.

Cheers to my fellow military moms!

We are the Force behind our Force.