What are some of the things that make military parents different?
Parenting
Family
CPT Ann W: My father was career Navy and had 7 of us children. I was the oldest and the only one who went into the military, at age 17 into USMA. Our family had discipline. The oldest child was always responsible for the younger ones - no excuses. We addressed ALL adults with respect: Yes sir, no sir; yes ma'am, no ma'am. Our father taught us to take responsibility no matter what, and to stand up for people who were weaker or not as popular. (I can still hear him "Boy; you're strong and smart. Put it to good use or you'll be worthless and I'll take you out and make another just like you."). We were taught to be independent, but cooperative. Our frequent moves gave us a broad spectrum of life.
My wife and I did the same with our 2 girls. Often our friends, neighbors, and family could not understand why we had such a "structured" family environment and did not allow our children to call adults by the first name. Once on a Saturday visit to the White House our 2 angels (age 4 and 6) were extremely well behaved but naturally interested in President Reagan's Remington statues (cowboys and horses). It made the Congressional aide nervous, but the President's Chief of Staff (an admiral) knew good military kids when he saw them. So he played with the kids will we did our visit!
A few weeks later we arrived at our duty station at US Embassy in Africa. The Ambassador had a reception and party in our honor the night we arrived. We brought the 2 children, even though they were extremely tired from the 24+ hour trip. The DoS people thought we were crazy; surely such little ones would misbehave. Nope! "Pleased to meet you Mr. Ambassador, Sir. My name is Laura, and this is my sister." "No sir, we don't want to play. We are tired, but we are happy to be in Africa." "May we sit on this bench here?" An impressed Ambassador and his wife exchanged incredulous looks with the DCM and asked if they were like that all the time. My wife beamed!
Sorry, running on. All parents are proud! Military more-so.
Thank you CPT; for the chance to dote.
CPT Ann W: You got it dead center! However, there is something about sub-Saharan Africa that makes children prosper. It's tough on the teens, though. Not much for them to do. My first year at post I had a EUCOM recruiter fly down and together we enlisted every American teenager of age at the post, after flying all three up to Stuttgart for ASVAB. The ambassador called me in and wanted to know how I did it, and said "every kid at the embassy must go into your office and kiss your ring while the 'Godfather' music is playing."
The Embassy had its own school, and many of the children from other embassies went there as well. Every child had 45 minutes of French instruction a day. The children had computer instruction (this was in 1987), they even had synchronized swimming! There were 3-4 big tortoises on the school grounds, and family life revolved around the school and recreation center.
After our 3 year tour we were posted to DIA in Maryland. Talk about culture shock! My 2 girls could:
1. Speak fluent French
2. Were academically about 1 grade ahead
3. Could swim like fish including butterfly
4. Did not understand why all the other children in school were so "bad" and talked during class
5. Went to the zoo with their cousins and didn't much care to see the giraffes, hippos, etc.; but got really excited about bison, deer, and...skunks!
Sorry for the long post. Here are 3 photos I hope you enjoy.[CLICK ON EACH PHOTO TO SEE THE PICTURE] One is of my wife's 2d grade class at the American School in Niamey. It's quite diverse, and every child is a diplomat's child. The second is from the White House Press Room. Not a great picture, but my youngest daughter photo-bombed it - lower right. The third is my two angels sitting in the White House Rose Garden. (Note: sometimes people are skeptical, so it's always nice to have a few pictures).
Your career and opportunities like this and more for you and your family are ahead of you. Make the most of them! I envy you CPT. The whole world is out there for you and the baton has been passed.
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