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Balancing Family And Being A Fighter Pilot

By Ed 3 Comments

In the wake of the assassination attempt of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, her husband- NASA astronaut and former Navy fighter pilot Mark Kelly- has decided to fulfill his duty to his country and command the last mission of the space shuttle Endeavor in April.

Kelly, a Navy Captain who flew A-6E’s in 39 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, is a man who knows how to walk the fine and often difficult line between the importance of family and duty. These are the two most important things in a fighter pilot’s life and they can easily conflict with one another.

As you may already know, it is quite often that military personnel have to be away from their loved ones during trying times. Of course, they’re not usually as extreme as a spouse surviving a murder attempt, but more often that not, American military personnel have to report overseas in the middle of such important life events as illnesses in their family, divorces, having babies, and God know what else.

Given Captain Kelly’s service record, just about everyone I know would describe him as being “courageous” and “dedicated to duty”, but what a lot of people don’t realize is that those same words also apply to his wife.

If you are married or engaged and are preparing to submit your package to a recruiter to reach for your dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, be sure to have a talk with your spouse or fiancé about the realities of the job.

You’ll want to be with someone who – like Ms. Giffords – is independent and able to take care of herself (or himself) emotionally when you are gone. A strong support system from other members of your family doesn’t hurt either.

Ms. Giffords’ doctors say that she’ll be well enough to attend the launch by April and she fully intends to be there and support him just as he has supported her during her recovery. Now that’s what I call a true power couple!

Do you have a great support system like that in your family? If you do, please share it with the Afterburner Club to inspire other members. What kind of challenges have you faced balancing family with job requirements?

About me

I’ve flown multiple combat missions over Iraq and have fought Russian MiG-29 and MiG-21 aircrafts. I have served as the ‘Marine Corps’ leading expert in fighter maneuvering and in F-18 tactics, and am a graduate of the Navy’s Fighter Pilot Weapon School, “Top Gun”.

More about me

Comments

  1. Ezeek says

    February 15, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    Me and my wife share these type of qualities. I am on the route to becoming a Air Force Pilot, I am currently doing AFROTC at USC to get my commission and my wife has been supportive in everything I do. Besides that I am finishing my degrees and attending civilian pilot school and she has being positive about everything I have accomplish or began. I hope married couples or engage couples work on the communication between each other and together anything is accomplished.

    Respectfully,

    Ezeek

    Reply
  2. Robert Stambovsky says

    February 17, 2011 at 12:20 am

    If i were king of the Pentagon:
    No one is “hired” unless they’re single (untouchables). I don’t need a an eighteen yr old with a kid on the way,potential warrior worrying about a sick kid or the airhead he married, or wife who’s jealous of their job (strategic air comand), or foreign-born wife whose culture is totally different. Once you are maatured and established in a command, and get to take the knockout news girl for PR ride and fall in love, or meet a pretty aero engr (like mine), then make sure she knows what she’s in for. Navy and Marines, and some Army units is 24 hr/off site/in harm’s way job. IT AIN’T AND BANKER’S JOB. You AF country clubbers have a stationary base most of the time, but even their aviators have off-site committments, especially now.
    Know what you’re getting into. You aint gonna have “it all”-doesnt work that way.
    Quit telling recruits that they join to get college payed for. They’re gonna be trooping and stomping, working on the ship,etc. If they get a chance to take courses, good; but they have to save for school when they get out.

    -National Guard Major (admin weenie) complained about being called up and have leave her daughter . DUHHHH! What the hell did you think the gov’t was paying you for these yrs???? I’d have her shot!
    -political correct has no business in the military. If you’re an immature fuckhead, you’re out! If I can’t count on you, we aint here to give you welfare payments!!!
    –
    39yrs of it.
    God better bless us; we’re in trouble.
    Semper Fi, Chesty

    Reply
  3. emmanuel says

    February 22, 2011 at 1:22 pm

    hi ed am glad to get ur text u real make us feal alright coz i get what i dream

    Reply

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About me

I’ve flown multiple combat missions over Iraq and have fought Russian MiG-29 and MiG-21 aircrafts. I have served as the ‘Marine Corps’ leading expert in fighter maneuvering and in F-18 tactics, and am a graduate of the Navy’s Fighter Pilot Weapon School, “Top Gun”.

More about me

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