Military dads balance service to country with love of family

Military dads balance service to country with love of family
Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas
By Claire Kowalick
Published: June 15, 2014

Meeting his daughter, Quinn, for the first time, Capt. Kevin McKay returns from a six-month deployment with the 117th Air Control Squadron. His wife, Ariel, gave birth March 21, 2014. Quinn's poster says it all, "Hurry Daddy, I've been waiting my whole life to meet you!"
GEORGE BURNSED/U.S. AIR FORCE

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — “One team, one fight.” This phrase, often heard around the military, could be equally applied to the challenge of being a loving father with a military career.

About 60 percent of enlisted personnel and 70 percent of officers in the military are married and about 50 percent have children.

While some civilian jobs require travel, few require it with the frequency and length of time as being in the military.

“It’s a mixed bag,” said Air National Guard Major Rusty Brinkley, “While I’m able to provide for them and do something that I have wanted to do since growing up, the trips away are the most difficult part.”

Brinkley, formerly of Burkburnett, now stationed at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, Florida, said he estimates he has been on tours of duty away from his wife, Tia, for about 45 percent of their 11 year marriage.
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