By JONATHAN WORD
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Editor’s note: Click here to read the full story. An abridged version follows.
CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Being in the U.S. Navy can be challenging. Spending time away from family during deployments while adhering to a rigorous work schedule and training plan takes discipline from even the most stalwart Sailor.
However, there is an occupation that some believe is one of the toughest in the world, and that is being a mother. Being both a mother and a Sailor takes a level of sacrifice, courage and commitment not found in just anyone. Every year, many people honor their mothers on Mother’s Day. The holiday can be a little different for mothers deployed thousands of miles away from their families.
The times that a military parent is away from their child can be difficult, but they are not away all the time. A military family can have many unique and positive experiences together.
Traveling to new places and living in new homes every few years can be an exciting adventure for a military family, but some parents might feel that is not the best option for their children. There is an alternative. A Sailor can continue to serve their country and still come home to their family nearly every day as a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve.
U.S. Navy Reservists do go on deployments. Every Reservist is required to be mission-ready physically and administratively. However, a Reservist does have the ability to spend much more time at home than their active-duty counterparts. If someone is already a mom or dad, choosing to serve in the Reserves may be an excellent opportunity.
“I chose the Reserve because I had a five-year-old at the time,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Kelly Gaines, a U.S. Navy Reserve Sailor from Noblesville attached to Naval Security Forces Crane, Indiana, and currently deployed to CLDJ where she is assigned to the N34 security department. “I am a mom. I love being a mom, but I also love being in the military. I thought as a Reservist I would have to leave my son behind a lot less, or move him around, but I still wanted to be in the military. I love it.”
Parents play a significant role in many people’s lives. Many Sailors will spend Mother’s Day away from their moms, and many Sailors are moms who may spend this and several more Mother’s Days away from their children. If a Sailor’s mother is an important relationship in their life, they will hopefully be able to reach out and say ‘thanks.’
“My mother is super proud of me,” said Gaines, who has served in the Reserves for 12 years and been a mother for 17 years. “She brags and tells everyone how happy she is and proud that I am in the military. I’m proud of the mother I am. She is such a great mother, I feel that helps me be a great mother.”
Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti serves as an expeditionary base for U.S. military forces providing support to ships, aircraft and personnel that ensure security throughout Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia. The base enables maritime and combat operations in the Horn of Africa while fostering positive U.S.-Africa relations.