Ryan has been in the United States Coast Guard for 3 years now. He enlisted while I was pregnant with Skylee and we were both working and trying to go to school at night. I knew it would be a great blessing, and it has taken us on an adventure that seems to be never ending.
He entered basic training in August 2006 and completed his 8 weeks in October. After bootcamp graduation in 2006, we were stationed in Coos Bay, Oregon. We had a lot of "firsts" there: Christmas, New Years, Anniversary, and Baby! It was a real small fishing town, and it seemed to always rain. Ryan's schedule was difficult for me to adjust to, he was always gone, leaving me with a little baby.We figured we would be there for 4 years, but only stayed for 7 months when he enrolled to a training school in Petaluma, CA. We were happy to leave, and excited to be a little closer to family in CA. Petaluma was great, I still daydream about being there. We were only there for 6 months, but in that short time we made great friends and loved the area (near SF bay). Ryan worked hard in school there becoming an ET (Electronics Technician) mainly dealing with radar and radios for the boats and stations. Since "A School" (training school) we have been stationed at the Navy Submarine Base in Kings Bay, Georgia. We've been here for over a year and a half now, and have been in two residences.This place is interesting! The east coast has been an adjustment, hot AND humid, storms like Armageddon, bugs bigger than my face, and being SO far away from any family has been really tough. It has taken us a while to settle in here, but we're used to it now. We have good friends and neighbors and we both enjoy what we do. This station is VERY unique in the C.G. since we're on a Navy submarine base. It keeps him really busy, and many times away for days at a time. I still haven't adjusted to that part, don't know if I ever will? Most things here are highly confidential, so the schedule changes constantly and it can be really frustrating at times. He always has great stories to tell from work. Ryan is also able to complete his degree online while working and the military pays for every cent, it's great...no student loans! He works so hard and is so disciplined!
His plan has always been to complete his years in the military and work for a federal agency ie: FBI, DEA, CIA, Secret Service...you get it. Things are still looking that way, and he's making great progress to accomplish those goals once we're out of the CG. Until then, we're not sure what other adventures the CG will bring, but we are truly blessed to be where we are now! I'm able to stay at home with Skylee and Parker, we don't have to worry about job stability, health insurance, or where our next meal is coming from. I love the Coast Guard! It is the smallest branch of the military, but it does SO much more than most people know about. As of January of 2010, we'll have 2 years left, and we still don't know if we'll be here, or if they'll move us somewhere else, guess we'll just have to wait and find out!
4 comments:
That was a really good post Brittney and you will be glad that you have a record of your feelings at this time of your life! Have a good day!
isn't it funny where life takes us?! Its crazy how we plan for things, and we end of up in completely different direction and we are so much better off... Ryan is such a hard little worker...but he has a hard working wife to balance it out! :-) xoxoxo.
I still daydream about Petaluma also glad im not the only one.
Happy C.G. Anniversary. We miss you being so far away, but know that you are doing well. We are really proud of how much Ryan has accomplished, in such a short time.
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