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Dad Is On Duty

Kids in military families make sacrifices to support their parents—and the entire nation.

November 1, 2021
By Alicia Greene

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

As You Read, Think About: What are some sacrifices that military families have to make?

May 25 started out like any other day for Adonis and Ava Garcia. But the siblings from Chula Vista, California, would soon get a big surprise. The kids and their mom, Amanda, headed out to Adonis’s baseball game that afternoon. After the national anthem played, the players were asked to turn around and face their parents.

Adonis couldn’t believe his eyes. His father, Juan, was standing there, reaching out for a hug. The family hadn’t seen him in six months, because he had been away on duty in the U.S. Navy.

Juan is one of more than 1.3 million men and women serving in the U.S. military. They’re making sacrifices for our country—and so are their families.

May 25 started out like any other day for Adonis and Ava Garcia. But the siblings from Chula Vista, California, would soon get a big surprise. The kids and their mom, Amanda, headed out to Adonis’s baseball game. After the national anthem played, the players were asked to turn around and face their parents.

Adonis couldn’t believe his eyes. His father, Juan, was standing there. The family hadn’t seen Juan in six months. He had been away on duty in the U.S. Navy.

Juan is one of more than 1.3 million men and women serving in the U.S. military. They’re making sacrifices for our country—and so are their families.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

Serving Overseas

Juan has sailed all over the world during his 19 years in the Navy. He has spent long stretches of time on a type of warship called an aircraft carrier. As a hospital corpsman, his job is to treat sick or injured sailors. 

Juan has been deployed five times, separated from his wife and kids by thousands of miles. Being away from his family for months at a time is difficult—and not just for Juan.

His most recent deployment, in November 2020, was especially challenging. Because of Covid-19, Juan had to quarantine on the USS Theodore Roosevelt for a month before the ship left its base. On Thanksgiving, his family could only stand on the dock as Juan waved from the ship’s deck. 

“When he leaves, it’s sad and we worry about him,” 12-year-old Ava says.

Juan has sailed all over the world during his 19 years in the Navy. He has spent long stretches of time on a type of warship called an aircraft carrier. He is a hospital corpsman. His job is to treat sick or injured sailors. 

Juan has been deployed five times. Each time, he has been separated from his wife and kids by thousands of miles. Being apart is difficult, and not just for Juan.

His most recent deployment was especially challenging. It was in November 2020.Because of Covid-19, Juan had to quarantine on the USS Theodore Roosevelt for a month before the ship sailed. On Thanksgiving, his family could only stand on the dock. Juan waved from the ship’s deck. 

“When he leaves, it’s sad and we worry about him,” 12-year-old Ava says.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

Making Sacrifices

Deployments aren’t the only hardships military families must endure. Every few years, Juan is assigned to a different location. His family, including two adult daughters, has moved from Arizona to California to Texas, then back to California. 

Each time they move, the Garcias have to pack their belongings, find a new home, and leave friends behind. Sometimes, they have to relocate during the school year.

“Changing schools and making new friends can be scary,” explains 10-year-old Adonis. “It was really hard for me to leave my last school.”

Through it all, Amanda says, the family looks out for each other and tries to stay positive.

“It’s difficult,” she says. “But we’ve been fortunate to have each other to lean on.”

Deployments aren’t the only hardships military families must endure. Every few years, Juan is assigned to a different location. His family, including two adult daughters, has moved from Arizona to California to Texas, then back to California. 

Each time they move, the Garcias have to pack their belongings, find a new home, and leave friends behind. Sometimes, they have to move during the school year.

“Changing schools and making new friends can be scary,” explains 10-year-old Adonis. “It was really hard for me to leave my last school.”

Through it all, Amanda says, the family looks out for each other. They try to stay positive.

“It’s difficult,” she says. “But we’ve been fortunate to have each other to lean on.”

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

Home Again

For now, Juan is home, and the Garcias expect to remain in Chula Vista for the next three years, though they know that could change. After months of seeing their dad only on FaceTime, Ava and Adonis are enjoying getting real face-to-face time with him. But they know that he will one day be deployed again. 

Juan doesn’t want to be away from his family so often, but it’s his duty.

“It’s an honor to serve the United States and to make sure that our country and my family are safe,” he says.

For now, Juan is home. The Garcias expect to remain in Chula Vista for the next three years, though they know that could change. After months of seeing their dad only on FaceTime, Ava and Adonis are enjoying getting real face-to-face time with him. But they know that he will one day be deployed again. 

Juan doesn’t want to be away from his family so often, but it’s his duty.

“It’s an honor to serve the United States and to make sure that our country and my family are safe,” he says.

Life at Sea

Juan Garcia’s last deployment was on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The huge aircraft carrier is like a floating city, with a gym, a supermarket, and a post office. Here’s a closer look.

  • Sailors on board have more than 90 jobs—including pilots, divers, cooks, and mechanics. 
  • The carrier can have a crew of more than 5,000 sailors. 
  • The ship holds up to 90 aircraft. Jets take off from a runway that’s about the length of a football field. 
  • More than 18,000 meals may be served each day. 
U.S. Navy via Getty Images

Life at Sea

Juan Garcia’s last deployment was on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The huge aircraft carrier is like a floating city, with a gym, a supermarket, and a post office. Here’s a closer look.

  • Sailors on board have more than 90 jobs—including pilots, divers, cooks, and mechanics. 
  • The carrier can have a crew of more than 5,000 sailors. 
  • The ship holds up to 90 aircraft. Jets take off from a runway that’s about the length of a football field. 
  • More than 18,000 meals may be served each day. 
U.S. Navy via Getty Images

1. How does the author start the article? Why do you think she starts this way?

2. Why will Adonis and Ava not be FaceTiming with their dad for a while?

3. Based on the sidebar “Life at Sea,” how is the USS Theodore Roosevelt like a floating city?

1. How does the author start the article? Why do you think she starts this way?

2. Why will Adonis and Ava not be FaceTiming with their dad for a while?

3. Based on the sidebar “Life at Sea,” how is the USS Theodore Roosevelt like a floating city?

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