Over 90% of the KMFRC staff have a Military affiliation. Some of us are husbands, wives, and kids of Military members. Others have a relative who served. How ever we are connected, we all have stories about being in a Military family. Here are some of those stories:
My Connection to Military Life
As young adults, one of my grandfathers was a medic in the Canadian Army, and the other was part of the Air Force in South Africa – but I rarely heard either of them speak about their service. Since I grew up less than 15 km from a major army base, though, I clearly remember my introduction to the CAF: watching with awe whenever convoys of military vehicles travelled along the highway. Their size led me to feel so small, and at the same time, so protected. I couldn’t imagine being part of the military when I grew up, but was definitely thankful for those who were!
I became a sea cadet at 13, like my older brother, and later served in the reserves as a commissioned Cadet Instructor Cadre officer. Lots of great opportunities came from those decisions: meeting people from across the country (now cherished, lifelong friends); connecting with older veterans, who smiled proudly during sunny ceremonies and marched resolutely in somber Remembrance Day parades; and meeting regular force members and veterans, from all three elements and multiple trades, who supported the cadet program with mentorship and instruction about leadership, music, sailing, pyrotechnics, abseiling, range safety, and more.
One of the benefits of marrying a soldier has been that the more uncertain or challenging aspects of military life can lead to resilience, and motivation to seek out new skills, hobbies, and career opportunities. Although we all have different experiences, being able to relate is helpful in supporting fellow Military and veteran families, facing their own obstacles and joys.
Leigh
Posting Season
Posting season for military families can be an emotional time, even if it isn’t your turn to move, as there is always a high possibility that those who have become your “chosen family” may be posted that year. However, nothing beats the excitement when you find out that close friends you have made along the way are being posted to your current location, or you are moving to theirs during the coming APS.
Marnie
Moving Boxes
My Dad was in the Military for his entire career, so we moved every four years. My brother and I loved moving, because we got to run in the house before the furniture was moved in and we weren’t allowed to run in the house for another four years.
As we unpacked, we accumulated dozens and dozens of boxes that my brother and I turned into forts, castles and large subdivisions in our basement. For months after we moved, my brother and I had a town full of cardboard houses, vehicles and stores. And the neighborhood kids loved to come play at our house, because we had the coolest “toys.”
Terry