From military son to military father, a tribute to military dads

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christian Clausen
  • 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) --  In light of Father’s Day, I would like to reflect on my experiences as a military father and my experiences being a military child.

My father served in the U.S. Navy as a sonar technician in the late ‘90s for three years. In those three short years we lived in four states.

“A lot of reasons factored into why I joined, but I think some of the major reasons were that I had a young family,” said my father, John. “I was 21, Christian’s mom was taking classes at Amarillo Community College and Christian was just over a year old.”

Before my dad joined the military he was working at a job but knew he needed a change.

“I was a first assistant manager at McDonald’s,” John said. “It was the only company I had worked for at that point. The money wasn’t great and the benefits were non-existent. I didn’t have a college degree and I had no idea what I really wanted to do outside of leading people. The military offered me steady pay, healthcare, and new job skills along with an exciting adventure of moving to new places with my young family.”

Still, peace of mind didn’t come without tough times. Having to be away from family was the most challenging part for my dad.

“Being a dad can be hard, but I think being a young dad can be especially hard,” John said. “The military was able to provide a balance in my life during a period when I was very unsure of myself but still had to be a responsible man and provide for my family.”

Unlike my father, when I decided to join the military I didn’t have a family of my own. I was a single 18 year old ready to travel the world. I wanted to build race cars, tattoo as much of my body as I could, and be my own person.

When I was assigned to Creech Air Force Base as a photojournalist, my priorities were training physically and professionally in hopes my next assignment would be to a combat camera unit.

Just after eight months at my first duty station, I met a girl one night while out with some friends in Las Vegas. Soon after, we started dating and even though she had a 2-month-old daughter, it didn’t matter to me; they both captured my heart.

Fast forward 11 months to our wedding day, not only was I a husband, but I also assumed the role of father figure in little Francesca’s life.

She’s not my child by blood, but she’s mine. Hearing her call me “dada” warms my heart more than anything. With my life changes comes responsibility. My priorities have changed and it’s no longer solely about what “I” want.

“When I first met Chris, all he wanted to do was build his race cars,” said my wife, Rachel. “As time went on his main concerns changed. Now he makes sure Francesca is taken care of before anything else. Chris has become even more protective.”

Like my dad said it’s difficult being a young father in the military, but I’m glad it provides the things I need in order to raise my family.

I now, more than ever, understand that being a father in the military means being prepared to sacrifice. As long as I choose to serve, I know I will miss birthdays, holidays and milestones in my daughter’s life.

For some, it’s worth it. But even if I won’t know for a while, what gives me peace of mind is knowing thousands of fathers have done it too. At every retirement ceremony, promotion or change of command I photograph, and in every history book I’ve read, there are great men and women doing what they needed to do in order to provide for their families.

This Father’s Day I find myself reflecting on those fathers lost in combat who died ensuring the freedoms of the next generations. It has brought new meaning to being a military child turned military dad.

On this Father’s Day, I would like to say: To the fallen, your legacy lives on; to those who are in harm’s way, stay safe; and to those who served, thank you.

To military dads everywhere, I salute you.