Remote Experience Essay, Research Paper

A remote to Clear Air Station, Alaska gave me new respect for my family and an

understanding of the great sacrifice military members experience. I feel this

assignment gave me an insight into how much I really depend on my families

support and trust in their decisions. I believe to become a successful leader

one needs an understanding of the sacrifices which might be required by our

subordinates, and time away from a loved one is one of our most demanding. A

remote is an assignment to an area with no facilities for family members. It is

at least a year long with an opportunity to take a vacation at the six month

point. One area that took a while to get used to is the attitudes of the various

personnel stationed at the site. Everyone is in a similar situation but each

individual reacts differently to it. Most try to make the best of it, while

others tend to dwell on their loved ones or are bitter about being put in such a

bad situation. This is one assignment where the people you live and work with

have a direct impact on site morale. When I was first notified of this

assignment I thought it would be fun to be able to act like a single

irresponsible and carefree person. I had visions of getting off work and going

out to party, then coming home to my room and watching television until I fell

asleep. This was exactly what it was like, only after a couple of months it was

not fun anymore. I began to miss the company of my wife and children, ironic

since when I was there I kept to myself and tried to find solitude every chance

I got. I made a decision, when I was done with this remote I would change the

way I used to be and spend more time with my family. Chavez 2 At about the

middle point in my tour I realized my wife Teresa deserved more credit than I

gave her. She took care of the children, paid the bills, managed the household,

and never once complained to me about the situation. My oldest son Mark, seven

years old, took on the responsibility of being the man of the house. This really

didn’t consist of much, but I think my son felt he needed to show Dad he could

take my place and in the process grew up too fast. To this day he still

disciplines his younger sister for staying out late or talking on the phone too

long. One day my six year old daughter Valerie came down with a fever and a

searing pain in her left side. My wife decided to take her to the emergency

room. The doctor’s determined her appendix was close to rupturing and she needed

surgery immediately. Teresa called me from the hospital and explained the

situation. I felt so helpless, all I could do was sit in my small lonely room

thinking about all the possible outcomes. Thank God the surgery was a success,

but it was a couple of days I could have done without. I received a commendation

medal after leaving Alaska, but in my mind the courage and dedication of my wife

and two children deserved the medal; for without their loving support I could

not of given 100 percent to my job. This leads to my belief one does not really

have an idea of the many sacrifices required to go on a remote assignment, but

must experience it firsthand. I saw at least three marriages turn to bitter

divorce as a result of that assignment. Either the military member or spouse

could not spend a year without jealousy, whether warranted or not, finding its

way into an already difficult situation. I am reminded of the night I got off

shift, went to my small cold room and had to listen to at least 8 excruciating

hours of the song "My Achey Breaky [sic] Heart"; because my Chavez 3

neighbors girlfriend had broken up with him and would not accept his phone

calls. In this situation, I had learned by then, it was best to let him blow off

some steam with a little noise. Suicide attempts where fairly common because of

situations like this, but thankfully they are mostly for attention. My

experience taught me much about myself, my family, and military profession. I

regret some of the things I missed while gone, but think if I had not been given

that assignment I would have missed out on those things anyway (given the way I

used to behave). I believe, at least in my case, you do not realize what you

have until it is missing.