Military Girl interview : Nadine

Hello! It's Monday already - always comes around a bit too fast, however the promise of a new week is a good thing. :)

I received some lovely comments and emails about last week's interview with Erika, thank you so much! It really means a lot to me that these interviews mean a lot to you!

Today, we meet Nadine...

Please provide a brief background about you.

My name is Nadine, I moved around a lot as a kid and finally settled in a small town in Idaho which is where my parents still live so that’s where I call home.  I grew up the oldest of three kids, I have two younger brothers.  I was the first to join the Military, starting off my Military career in the Idaho Army National Guard.  I eventually transferred to Active Army (where I met my husband) and then finished my time in the Army Reserves.  Both my brothers also served in the Military, one in the Marine Corps and the other in the Army. 

My husband and I met at Fort Campbell, Kentucky in 1995, married in 1996.  Together we have been to six duty stations.  We are currently calling Fort Leonard Wood (FLW), Missouri home.  We LOVE it here.  That shocks many people but after over a decade of intense assignments, including multiple deployments, we are enjoying the slower pace of FLW. My husband has been in the Army over 22 years.  We are closer to the end of our Army career than the beginning and that is both exciting and a little scary. 

We have three handsome boys who are 15, 13 & 10.  They were all born at different duty stations, all beginning with a “K”.  Kentucky, Korea & Kansas.  They are amazing, resilient little men who take whatever the world throws at them.  They love being Army Brats (Brave, Resilient, Adaptable, Tolerant!).  We have two extremely spoiled dogs.  People often think we also have two daughters we never take anywhere because we refer to them as our girls and talk about them just as we do our boys :). 

I am currently a Stay-at-home-mom who is rarely home.  I volunteer extensively in the Military community, school district, church and with the Boy Scouts of America!  I also love to cook and bake and am always trying out new recipes.  One of the greatest things about the diversity of the Military is meeting people from all over the world and learning about different cuisines!

Finish this sentence : "Being a military spouse is ..."

...one of the most rewarding blessings of my life.

Do you participate in the military community and if so what is it you do?

When I chose to leave Active duty, it was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.  I loved serving and wearing the uniform, but I also loved my boys and had spent more time away from them than I wanted.  I realized I had to give something up to be truly happy so I finished my obligation to the Army and got out.  I decided quickly after getting out of the Army that if I could no longer wear the uniform I would do all I could to support those who do and those who love them.  I’m a huge advocate of support for Military Families!  Most of my volunteer work consists of serving Soldiers and their Families. 

I teach Army Family Team Building classes which are a series of classes that help with the most basic Army knowledge like acronyms (the Military has a language all its own!), and how to read the Army’s pay stub (the LES).  Our classes go on from the most basic knowledge to personal and then professional development.  This program is primarily run by volunteers, most who are other Military Spouses living the life.  I also volunteer with our Family Readiness Group, helping to bridge a relationship with our Soldiers, Families and Command Team within our unit. 

I teach many classes for the installation on Family Readiness Groups, Care Teams (teams set up to help take care of Families of our KIA (killed in action) or WIA (wounded in action) or even those who have loss of spouse or children).  I do predeployment and postdeployment briefings helping Families to deal with those transitions.  I truly believe in empowering our Military Families.  We train our Soldiers and ensure that they are knowledgeable about this lifestyle, I believe it’s important to do the same for our Families!  My husband and I also volunteer at the USO for our weekly date night, we have a lot of fun interacting with the young Soldiers we meet every time we go in.

What fact about your life do you think would surprise a non-military person? 

I am fully aware that this is what we “signed up for”.  The things that concern us about our lives are really no different than what concerns those in the civilian sector.  Our terminology may be different but the concept is the same.  We want what’s best for our Families and for our futures so yes, we are concerned about cuts in our benefits and the extended separations but we continue on.  Being told that’s what we “signed up for” isn’t encouraging, it’s insulting.

What is the hardest part of your day? 

I honestly can’t think of what is the hardest part.  Fortunately my husband is not deployed (he is however away for training as I type this!).  When he’s not home the hardest part of the day is dinner time.  Our dinner time is a huge focus on our family, we sit and talk and share stories.  We laugh and have serious talks.  It’s a big focus and when he’s not here, it’s obvious.

What is the best part of your day? 

Waking up and seeing how blessed I am with a beautiful Family.

So far, what has been your biggest challenge or accomplishment (professional or personal)? 

Probably our last deployment, it was the hardest for many reasons which led to a lot of heartache and personal growth.  I am reminded that no matter what life throws at us, we survived that and we can survive anything!

What or who gives you comfort and peace of mind? 

My faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I cannot imagine going through the challenges of this lifestyle without knowing that His hand is in it all.

You have a whole day to yourself! What do you do? 

I would probably stay in bed with a book or watching senseless movies!  And then to be honest, I’d probably feel guilty about it, haha.

I'm visiting and we're going out for a 'girls afternoon' - where are we going? 

We are going out for a fun lunch and then pedicures and manicures!  And I’ll be honest, I’ll probably drag you to the museum on post because I take all my friends who are visiting!

What do you want the world to know (or what is your personal motto)? 

It’s all about perspective!  We always have choice, we can choose to be miserable or we can tolerate it and make the best of any situation!

Your favourite five:

* Breakfast cereal – I don’t really eat cereal
* Actor – Johnny Depp
* Book/Magazine – Bridge to Terabithia
* Place to be – anywhere my Soldier is!
* Person – my mom, she knows me better than anyone else and loves me just the same!

Finally … bath or shower? :) 

Shower, just get in and get out!

Anything else you would like to add?

Even through the roller coaster of emotions that this lifestyle is, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  We have had lots of ups and many downs.  We have been forced out of our comfort zones and endured things that a lot of people will never experience.  We don’t ask why me...we muster the courage to continue on and do what needs to be done.  If that means saying another goodbye, then so be it.   Our children know the reality of war, they have watched their friends bury their fathers, they have watched their dad and I comfort our friends.  We have visited Wounded Warriors in hospitals.  The Army is not a job, it’s our life and it’s rewarding and challenging all at the same time.  I am fortunate to meet heroes almost daily and what is most remarkable about that?  They won’t even claim the title.

Thank you Nadine for such an insightful interview. I am really inspired by the work you do and your wonderful attitude - and I just love that you and your husband spend date night volunteering at the USO! Also good to know the term "Army Brats" can stand for something positive! :)

You can visit Nadine at her blog The Albrecht Squad.

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If you would like to be a part of the Military Girls Interview series, please visit this page, or send me a note. Thank you.

Comments

[Erika (chambanachik)]

Nice to meet you Nadine! :)

[ArmyGirlNay]

Thank you so much! I love it and thank you for the opportunity!