Mother Commissions Son From Across the Globe
(June 21, 2010) |
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June 19, 2010 - Perhaps the biggest challenge of any
deployment is the separation from family and friends and
missing those momentous occasions in life such as a son's
first word, a daughter's high school graduation, a 20-year
wedding anniversary or family reunion.
While a military member's time downrange can't be cut short
so they can attend these milestone events, thanks to modern
day conveniences such as wireless Internet and Web cameras,
these special moments can at least be seen and heard from
afar.
This was the case for one U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel
deployed here and her 22-year old son whom she swore into
the U.S. Air Force June 13 during his Air Force Reserve
Officer Training Corps graduation from Central Washington
University in Ellensburg, Wash.
Lt. Col. Maureen Carroll, 386th Expeditionary Maintenance
Squadron commander and teary-eyed mother of three, was
bursting with pride as she told her eldest son, Alek
Krallman, to raise his right hand and repeat after her the
commissioning oath of office.
"It was pretty great how it all came together," said
Carroll. "I wish I could have been there in person, but this
was the next best thing. He has worked really hard to
achieve his goals and I am very proud of him."
With Carroll deployed, her son knew it wasn't going to be
easy coordinating his mother swearing him in from across the
globe, but he couldn't think of anyone he'd rather have
administer the oath.
"I wanted my mom to commission me because she's a great
example of an excellent leader," said Krallman. "Everyone I
talk to who works with or knows her says great things. She
also encouraged me the most to become an officer and I knew
it would honor her as well because I wouldn't have gone to
college if it wasn't for her."
Just before it was time for the lieutenant to take the
stage, both mother and son had their laptops up and
connected to one another using a software application
program known as "Skype", which allows users to video
conference through the Internet. Carroll used the base's
free wireless Internet service while at the base chapel to
watch her son's ceremony - from taking the oath of office to
seeing him present parent pins to his father and stepfather.
"I'll present you with yours next time I see you mom," he
said into the Web camera at the ceremony.
The colonel said she is very thankful for the modern day
conveniences many deployers have these days such as wireless
internet.
"It definitely helps," she said. "It's nice to be able to
see your family and know that you don't have to miss out on
such special moments as this."
Carroll's son, who will attend pilot training at Laughlin
Air Force Base, Texas, this September, said he knew the Air
Force was the right choice for him from an early age.
"I've wanted to fly for as long as I can remember and I knew
the Air Force would give me a good chance at doing that,"
said the lieutenant, who was born at Hill Air Force Base,
Utah. "I decided to do ROTC because I wanted to go to
Central Washington University and they had a good ROTC
program here."
As with any parent, Carroll, while excited that her son
chose to follow in her footsteps and join the military,
still worries about her son.
"Well, I know my Air Force won't be his Air Force," she
said. "It has changed so much since I've been in and I'm
sure it will continue to change. My biggest concern is the
pace of operations. I see our young folks working so hard to
maintain that pace; it throws the rest of life out of
balance sometimes. My hope is that he can maintain the
balance and be successful. It's a rewarding life in many
ways to serve our nation, with opportunities that never
cease."
With a long Air Force career ahead of him, and a mother who
already has 30 years (15 years enlisted and 15 years
commissioned) of service, the lieutenant said he cherishes
any words of wisdom she provides.
"My mom has told me lots of things, the main pieces of
advice being to always do my best and work hard; listen to
my NCO's as they have more experience and know what needs to
be done; and to learn from others," he said.
Krallman remains optimistic as he looks to the future and
the journey he is about to embark on in the U.S. Air Force.
"I'm looking forward most to flying, protecting my family
and friends, and being with my friends who are also
serving," he said. "I have friends who enlisted right out of
high school in every branch. They protected me while I was
going to school and now it is my turn to allow them the
opportunities they have given me." One of his best friends
from high school, who had joined the Marine Corps, was there
to give Krallman his first salute.
Carroll has about a month left in the U.S. Central Command
area of responsibility before redeploying to Joint Base
Lewis-McChord, Wash. and said she hopes to reunite with her
son sometime in the future, before he heads off to pilot
training. Until then, instant messaging, phone calls and
video conferencing with her son and the rest of her family
will get her through her remaining time in the AOR.
"I appreciate the programs we have in place and look forward
to every 'Skype' date I have with my family," she said,
"especially with my grandson. Young ones grow up so fast." |
By USAF TSgt. Lindsey Maurice
386th Air Expeditionary Wing
Copyright 2010 | |
Provided
through DVIDS
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