USS WASP

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Amie Gonzales

CARIBBEAN SEA – Service members aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp make sacrifices every day, but no one knows about sacrifice more than those who wait for them back home. Military families provide the supporting foundation that allows service members to do what they do. President Barack Obama pledged his support of military families as he proclaimed November as Military Family Month.

"No one pays a higher price for our freedom than members of our Nation's military and their families. As sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and mothers and fathers are deployed, military families endure with exceptional resilience and courage," said Obama. "They provide our troops with invaluable encouragement and love, and serve our Nation in their own right. During Military Family Month, we honor the families of our Armed Forces and thank them for their dedication to our country."

It's in knowing that their family is being taken care of back home that allows service members to focus on the job and mission at hand.

"I'm able to do my job because I know my wife is home taking care of the kids and the house," said Chief Culinary Specialist Scotty Wallace, Food Service Leading Chief Petty Officer. "It's especially tough because I'm a geo-bachelor and don't see them often, but they give me support through e-mails and photos from home."

Wasp Ombudsman Michelle Phillips said there are many challenges families face when service members deploy, but overcoming and adapting are key elements of the family support system.

"The challenge I have is all that I am responsible for, not only running the household, but making all the decisions [while he's gone], on top of not having any family close to help," said Phillips, wife of Chief Boatswain's Mate Jamie Phillips. "However, I am a very independent person and adapt very well."

Michelle added the family typically does not have any problems re-adjusting when Chief Phillips returns from deployments because, "we seem to get right back in the groove of things quickly."

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead, talks about the importance of Navy families' service, understanding and sacrifice in NAVADMIN 314/09 addressing Military Family Appreciation Month.

"Today's Navy is a global force for good. Forty percent of our ships are sailing the world's oceans on any given day, and 52,000 Sailors are deployed globally - 14,000 of whom are on the ground in the Middle East," said Roughead. "Carrying out our Navy mission is made possible through the support and dedication of our Navy families. While often far from home, one thing remains constant - the love and support of our families."

"My wife and I have been married for two years. She has supported me through two deployments to Iraq and now this deployment on Wasp," said Lance Cpl. Anthony Cisterna, with 2/9 Fox Company. "She'll send me care packages with candy and photos and, whenever I call, she's tries to cheer me up. I know she knows what to do to take care of the house, the bills and our dog, so I don't have to worry."

No matter who is waiting at home for their loved one to return, it is their support and love that continues to fuel the drive and determination of service members. The smallest gestures like a card or care package or even just an e-mail can make the difference in the life of a service member.

"I'm the only daughter of four kids, so my mom sends me lots of packages with the most random crazy stuff in it; whatever she can find. She sent me a Tamon and Pumba pillow case one time – something from when I was five years old," said Wasp Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Diana McWilliams. "It helps me to know that even though we are out here, and we really only have our shipmates to talk to, I'm not forgotten back home; they don't forget. It's nice to know someone is praying for you and thinking about you."

In his presidential proclamation Obama spoke about the strength of the nation being measured by the successes on the battlefield, but also the nation's ability to support the military families that have made so many sacrifices.

"We have a solemn obligation to ensure that, while our men and women in uniform discharge their duties, we do all we can to promote and preserve the well-being of their families. We must also support the families of our wounded warriors and our fallen heroes who have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy."

Wasp and the embarked Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force are working alongside Mayport-based Destroyer Squadron 40 during a three-month deployment to build interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nation naval forces through a variety of exercises as part of Southern Partnership Station.

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