Payton O’Brien: Military life is tough, wonderful

Payton O'Brien

The military is a big part of America.

We are always doing things to support our troops who risk their lives for us, but no one ever actually pays attention to the struggles of military life.

The Air Force has been a big part of my life. My father, who has served in the Air Force for as long as I can remember, has always been dedicated to his job. However, in an odd way, my father’s dedication to his work has made my family and I’s life harder.

My dad has served many roles through the Air Force, but I think his career as an Investigator and as a First Sergeant have been the hardest — not only for the rest of my family and I, but for my father, as well.

My dad was an investigator for the Air Force for almost nine years, and he has seen things that cannot be unseen. Of course, I don’t know any details of what he has witnessed.

I just know that many times he has gotten called in late at night to go to work or has often stayed at work to late in the night.

My father is now on his third year of being a First Sergeant for the Air Force. I can never fully understand what exactly it is that he does, but I know that you have to be wise, strong-willed and a leader, in order to take on the role.

I know that as a First Sergeant my dad takes care of the other Airmen in his squadron, and that he is constantly having to leave important family events to solve other people’s problems.

It frustrates me at times but I know my father is good at what he does and I know that he’s helping people who need it most.

When discussing the life of a military kid specifically, I know exactly what it is like. It’s hard, not only because my dad has missed out on a lot of important things in my life, but also because of how it affects my life.

I can never say that I have had the luxury of growing up with the same people, in the same place, since birth.

I have lived in Derby for almost six years now, and I still struggle to find my place and fit in with people. I still miss my friends from my old school, and I still wonder what it would have been like to grow up with them and not have to worry about moving to another place and starting at a new school.

I love the friends that I have made in high school, though. I love them dearly, but they can never understand how there are times when I suffer because I wasn’t born here. I haven’t grown up with anyone in Derby, and I know that will always be my disadvantage to fitting in.

However, despite my disadvantages, I have had many experiences that no one else can say they have had. I have gone to many different places in America, while there are some people I have met here that have never been outside Kansas.

 

I have met so many different, extraordinary people across the country, that I still keep in touch with. I have friends, literally, all over the world.

 

So despite my struggles and challenges that I have had to go through, I’m a Military Brat, and I absolutely love it.