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PEARL HARBOR (Apr. 21, 2020) - When words like courage, bravery and sacrifice are heard, most may picture someone in uniform. Thoughts of brave men and women who serve in our country’s military flash through our minds, identifying service members around the world supporting our nation. However, there is another group of individuals, closely related to these dutiful men and women, for whom the same words can be shared and applied - military children.
April has been designated “Month of the Military Child.” This month is set aside for approximately 1.7 million dependent children worldwide who are recognized for their daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome as military children supporting their service members.
Rear Adm. Robert Chadwick II, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific, was one of the many military children who filled this role. Like other children of military parents, he witnessed first-hand the benefits of service along with the sacrifices and challenges. The uniqueness of being so connected to the military, and being a part of a military family, provides a certain perspective and outlook that can help shape a future.
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, Chadwick traveled coast to coast accruing six duty stations under his belt by the time he was in high school. He became accustomed to the frequent moves and all that comes with acclimating to a new area. Chadwick recalls how he had to adapt and come to terms with always being the new kid in school and what helped him settle in after each move.
“Every move has unique challenges and unique opportunities. Frequently being the new kid, every time I did it, it got easier,” said Chadwick. “With every move, I learned lessons. It became more comfortable and I got better at it, whether it was making friends or being a little more comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Chadwick found being a part of athletics through junior high and high school was a good way to build rapport with current students as well as work on personal development.
“I was always having to work with a new coach, reassure myself, prove myself again, and I think that presents challenges, but also presents opportunities,” said Chadwick.
Along with athletics, participation in other extracurricular activities and common interest groups can be a helpful way to make friends and prove beneficial when traveling from place to place.
Some military children are most likely to put an asterisk by the question, “Where are you from?” The constant pick up and go every few years can be daunting and different emotions can arise. However, if some optimism can be found with each step, it may help with all the changes.
“One thing I learned from my mother is to find the humor in every situation,” said Chadwick. “When you’re in uncomfortable situations, trying to find some humor, I think, can help ease the transition. It did for me,” said Chadwick.
In each new place, difficult experiences evolve into tools and answers that can be applied to the current situation and the next. One learns how to meet and engage with people because of the constant introductions. Diverse knowledge is acquired from the different places lived and the people met.
“Having that exposure to different places is a valuable resource,” said Chadwick. “The ability to find yourself in a new situation, work your way through it, be able to meet people and be comfortable meeting people for the first time, are all valuable tools military children take into their adult lives.”
Military children have lived a portion of their life with military eyes and experiences which can help inform their decisions on whether to follow in their parents footsteps or pursue a civilian career. As Chadwick considered his experiences and life as a military child, bearing witness to the years his father, retired Rear Adm. Stephen Chadwick, worked as a Navy officer, he found himself steering toward the U.S. Naval Academy to forge his own path in the military.
“My father has been my hero my whole life,” said Chadwick. “Seeing the growth and rewards from his naval career and my parents providing such a positive experience growing up within a military lifestyle, made my decision to join the military very easy to where I didn’t feel any pressure,” said Chadwick.
Armed with an open mind and willingness to succeed, Chadwick engulfed himself in the academy’s four year process and ultimately found his calling in being a surface warfare officer just like his father.
“There were times during my four years I was convinced I was going to be a Marine, or a pilot, but I had some very gratifying Midshipman cruise experiences on surface ships,” said Chadwick. “I saw how rewarding command at sea was for my father and so one of my goals was to experience command at sea, and certainly, it was everything I hoped.”
Whether a military child’s life journey includes joining the military or not, it is important to remember and pull from lessons, tools, resources and unique experiences gathered along the way. Referring to these will aid in character building and adaptability. Perhaps when the military child becomes the military parent, the familiarity will help improve the process of the demanding lifestyle.
Now a father, Chadwick and his wife are raising two daughters, the oldest in college, and the youngest in high school. As a parent he finds it useful to refer back to his upbringing to support his children.
“Having grown up in the [military] environment has helped me to help my daughters in these situations and address some of these challenges,” said Chadwick. “Having a constant communication flow and ensuring I stay plugged into their lives, whether it be school, friends or athletics. Whatever it was, I was making sure I stayed plugged in. My challenge was ensuring I stayed involved even when I was deployed.”
Chadwick’s career commonalities with his father’s has provided opportunity for him to reflect on how he grew up and the wowing moments in his life. In his last two commands, he happened to be assigned to the positions his father once held. Thirty-two years after his father was assigned to be the 71st commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, Chadwick became the 87th, making them the first father and son commandants in Naval Academy history. At the completion of his academy assignment, Chadwick is now commander, Navy Region Hawaii, just like his father 32 years ago.
“My career has mirrored my dad’s almost eerily. I thought lightning would only strike once,” said Chadwick. “It was truly by chance and it certainly is a source of pride for me. At both the last two jobs my father’s picture has been on the wall and it’s a neat experience for my family.”
Military families have an identifiable link to this lifestyle and whether discussing a former or present military child, similarities can be found. Though, as Chadwick mentions, every child will deal with being a part of a military family differently.
“Helping them deal with it in their own way I think is such an important aspect,” said Chadwick. “It is important we remember and honor the service, sacrifices and contributions military children have made in support of their parent’s service to our nation throughout history. It is great we highlight them [every year] during this Month of the Military Child.”
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2020 15:54 |
| Story ID: | 368032 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 770 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Military Child To Rear Admiral, by PO2 Jessica Blackwell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
