Afterthought on The Military Family

Why would a parent want their children to pursue a career in the military? How do you instill patriotism in children? What are the benefits of including CAT and ROTC training in your school curriculum? In this episode, we’ll hear from Gracey Aleki her take on teaching, serving in the military and the proposed mandatory ROTC, as well as the Five Points of Military Discipline she learned during her CAT days in high school. About the Guest: Gracey Aleki, a preschool teacher by profession, has been a dance teacher and performer for 15 years. She traveled, studied, and lived in many countries in the last 14 years, and is also a full-time housewife and mother to her beautiful daughter, Ava. Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode: Front-row seat to a CAT officer’s story about their CAT program experience Know the information about the proposed mandatory ROTC Learn how to embrace change for the good and happy things to happen Check out these episode highlights: 04:02 - How she ended up being called Gracey 05:54 - Her childhood, hobbies, and interests 08:37 - What she wanted to be when she was a kid 10:04 - How her grandmother's stories about the Japanese occupation inspired her to be a sniper 11:08 - Her parents' take on her joining the PMA and why it didn't happen 11:50 - Family members with military influence and her military dream for Ava 13:45 - Mothers being vocal/supportive of their children's chosen careers 15:00 - How she teaches children about patriotism through storytelling and modeling because they’re like sponges 17:12 - Her CAT experience 18:36 - My thoughts on being a CAT officer 18:56 - Gracey’s journey on becoming an officer and who it’s for 19:24 - The Five Points of Military Discipline she adapted from her CAT training 22:13 - How she has mastered grace under pressure 23:11 - How I found her on TikTok because of the mandatory ROTC 23:27 - What is the mandatory ROTC about? 24:44 - We shouldn't rely on other countries during the war 25:22 - How ROTC/CAT training can help individuals 26:23 - Proposed mandatory ROTC will go thru a long process 27:13 - A lot of people enjoyed CAT Training 27:25 - What did the training teach the cadets 28:06 - Mami Redj's realizations about the training 30:11 - Battle Scars in life will make you a better individual 30:32 - This episode does not insist on Gracey's opinion 31:14 - Public's concern on health issues 31:47 - Exemption squad; Mami Redj was with MP/MEDIC Squad 32:47 - CAT Demonstration in Camp Aguinaldo 33:36 - How she can show support to military families 33:48 - Gracey shares the difference in military appreciation Guest Link: Gracey Aleki TikTok Connect with Mami Redj: Facebook Do you want to hear more stories about military families? This is the podcast for you. You can listen to it wherever you are, and it’s completely free. Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify today. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the Philippine Military, its Foreign Counterparts, and/or other entities they represent.

Was it difficult to date a military service member? What are the ways partners can show their love and support to one another? How do you stay emotionally connected with a service member during LDR? In this episode, you’ll learn from Jessa how she and Travis keep their relationship strong by building a strong foundation based on respect, love, trust, faith, and mutual encouragement. About the Guest: Jessa Tamonan is a strong, independent woman, who’s currently based in the Philippines working as a virtual assistant. She’s a former OFW in Japan and Bahrain and is the fiancée of our previous guest, Navy Chief Travis Darling. The couple is behind Jessa & Travis on TikTok and YouTube, where they share their love story and day-to-day life as a military couple. Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode: Learn ways to show love and support to one another Find out the right mentality you should have as a military partner Learn how to establish a strong relationship with a military service member Check out these episode highlights: 03:15 - How Jessa and Travis met 04:16 - Regular communication and “stalking” social media accounts 04:43 - The one fact that made her realize how honest he is 05:09 - Why she asked her friends to accompany her during their first meet-up 05:50 - How he tested her independence and why she never got offended by it 07:47 - How they proved their genuine interest towards one another 08:33 - Exclusively dating and engagement 10:18 - Her first impression on Travis being a military man 11:31 - The challenges they faced as a military couple and how they overcame them 13:29 - Ways they show love and support to one another 18:30 - How Jessa deals with the homesickness 19:16 - The what-ifs and expectations in the military 21:56 - Early orientation on military PCS (Permanent Change of Station) 23:04 - Resilience of military spouses 24:05 - Jealousy vs. Reassurance 25.06 - Her career goals, plans, and working as a team of two 27:11 - Common misconception about military salaries 27:32 - Her religious upbringing and family values 29:46 - Her plans of joining the military 30:40 - The right mentality as a military partner 32:25 - Solid military relationship advice from Jessa 33:44 - What is next for Jessa & Travis Guest Links: Connect with Jessa & Travis Connect With Me: Facebook Enjoyed the Podcast? Be sure to subscribe to Spotify and leave a review. It means so much to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word! DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the US Military, its Foreign Counterparts, and/or other entities they represent.

Why is military service a good option when thinking of your future career? What are the pros and cons of deployment? How can serving in the military help you far more as an individual than receiving a paycheck? About the Guest: Travis Darling is the other half of a fast-growing YouTube channel and TikTok tandem, Jessa and Travis. He is an active service member who loves going to the gym, motorcycling, and is finishing his Master's Degree in Homeland Security. Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode: Find out how the younger generation gets influenced when deciding on their career path Learn how to handle LDR when your partner is deployed Check out ways to improve mental strength to combat stress and anxiety Single Quote: “I think the Navy is a great choice, it's a great career, it definitely isn't for everybody, and it is sacrifice because you sacrifice a lot, you leave everything you know to go and serve the country for people who either do support you, or don't support you, and then if they don't support you, they don't understand that they sleep at night safely because of those like myself and your husband. Because someone is out there doing the job that they won't do. So I like to always make sure it's expressively noted that, you know, we do get a lot of support but there are some people that don't understand why we do what we do. So it's great that you have a podcast like this, a show like this to get that word out, to make that awareness, 'cause people aren't aware.” - Travis Darling Check out these episode highlights: 03:30 – How he ended up in the Navy and why he stayed 07:00 – How civilians get turned into sailors 08:53 – His toughest adjustment during boot camp 09:45 – How his last name helped him become a Yeoman 11:11 – Perception on structures and functions of the military branches 13:07 – Why service members do what they do, the importance of civilian support, and appreciation on what AMFP is about 15:27 – Deployment overseas and exposure to different cultures 17:55 – The pros and cons of deployment 20:14 – Relationships before meeting Jessa 21:26 – The differences between their cultures 22:17 – Going dutch on the first date 24:22 – Admiration over Jessa and Travis' chemistry 25:30 – Why communication is the key to success 28:36 – Understanding what makes military LDR different and difficult 29:23 – The what ifs and expectations Guest Links: Jessa & Travis Connect with Mami Redj: Facebook Do you want to hear more stories about military families? This is the podcast for you. You can listen to it wherever you are, and it’s completely free. Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify today. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the US Military, its Foreign Counterparts, and/or other entities they represent.

How is it like to have a relationship with a service member? What happens during PCS? Should military spouses also pursue their passion or career? In this episode, you’ll learn from Chrish the challenges that come with being a military spouse, all while pursuing her passion/career and being pregnant at the same time. About the Guest: Chrish is a military spouse, who’s also five months pregnant with their first child. Having recently immigrated to the U.S., this didn’t stop her from empowering herself to be a podcast service provider/manager, a voice-over talent, and an all-around host. She bravely handles life changes while being away from her own family by being an active member of her church and military community. Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode: Discover the importance of love languages in relationships Learn the benefits and drawbacks of being a military spouse Explore how to cope with being away from loved ones Single Quote: “Being married to a service member is a choice that we choose everyday…not just me but also you… it’s a choice that we choose every day, and it is a lifelong commitment that not everyone has the strength to fulfill”. – Chrish Check out these episode highlights: 2:18 - How Chrish and I met 3:26 - What happens when you swipe right for Mr. Right 5:25 - Why service members report their every move to their commanding officers 5:56 - The kind of partner Chris and Jordan are based on their love tanks and languages, its significance, and how distance affect them differently 8:37 - Why I’m so happy for the couple 9:02 - Jordan’s revelation on their first date and why she had mixed feelings about it 11:32 - The steps she took to move on from her ex 11:55 - The nth on the list of things we have in common and how we see LDR differently 13:26 - The common struggle service members have while dating 13:55 - Her first PCS (Permanent Change of Station) experience 16:15 - The ups and downs of her pregnancy journey 17:38 - How the couple have regular talks about military life 18:20 - Her involvement in church and local military community 18:50 - 3 things she learned as a military wife 20:04 - What made it easy for her to immigrate to the U.S. 20:24 - How challenges and rewards are the same for her 22:00 - The African proverb she lives by 22:45 - Why acceptance is the key to always being ready 24:25 - Why it was easy for her in-laws to accept Jordan's decision to join the military 25:27 - The one trait their husbands have in common 26:30 - How citizens show them their appreciation and what it means to them as their spouses 28:29 - How sacrifice is a call of duty 28:52 - Advice to military spouses as a person and a partner 32:48 - Why I am excited about what’s next for her 34:25 - What she will do instead of encouraging her child/ren to enlist Enjoyed the Podcast? Be sure to subscribe to Spotify and connect with me on Facebook. It means so much to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to spread the word! DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the US Military and/or other entities they represent.

How is life out of military service? What is the role of military families and/or spouses to the overall preparedness of the force? How can society help in supporting military families? Do civilian families face the same challenges as military families? Let's hear it straight from Vicky, a brat and a veteran, her difficult yet fun experiences in transitioning from being an active-duty service member to a civilian. Get a glimpse of how military families live a unique lifestyle while serving the country, as well as the society's role in supporting them. About the Guest: Vicky Dizon, a US Navy Veteran, is a good friend of Mami Redj. She loves to work out, read books, and enjoys being a fur mom to her fur baby, Julia.  Before her enlistment, she held a corporate job in Makati. Her fascination towards her Dad’s sea stories in the US Navy and her admiration of his bravery inspired her to join the military after the events of 9/11. She is currently out of uniform and living the civilian life in the Philippines. Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode: Common challenges and advantages during readjustment and transition Importance of families and/or spouses to active service members Simple ways on how society can support military families. Learn how to be understanding of the unique challenges that military families face Single Quote: “My message to our listeners, to our troopers, is when somebody in the military or a military dependent or family is going through something, lend them ear. Sometimes all they need to do is vent because they can't find anyone to vent to or to get it off their chest, and sometimes that helps a lot. Just getting it off your chest like talking to somebody who will listen to you unconditionally and unjudgementally”. - Vicky Dizon Check out these episode highlights: 3:17 - When, at what age, and the branch she joined 4:15 - Who inspired her to enlist and why 5:20 - What happens during recall 5:58 - The event that sparked military recruitment again in 2001 7:38 - The challenges of being the oldest recruit and why she thinks it’s better to enlist when you’re younger 10:58 - 3 things she adapted in the military 14:27 - Her length of service and when it ended 15:35 - What made her leave the military 16:53 - Her first year as a veteran and who she missed the most 18:50 - The one military task she feels relieved not doing anymore after she got discharged 20:10 - Why home-cooked meals is synonymous to homecoming 20:41 - What she learned about herself after she left the service 22:43 - How self realizations and self searching empowered Vicky 24:00 - Her relationships and engagement with fellow service members 25:30 - Her hopes and plans for her future 28:05 - The important role of military families to service members 31:22 - The importance of spouses in military families 32:26 - What civilians can do to help military families aside from saying thank you and giving military discounts 36:15 - Sharing military experiences and stories 37:24 - #HugeSacrifice: Why serving in the military is synonymous to sacrifice

What do military parents or siblings go through emotionally when their kids or siblings enter military boot camp? What noticeable changes do military parents or siblings see when their trainee graduates from the military boot camp? How do military parents or siblings prepare themselves when talking about their kids’ or siblings’ military deployment? In this episode, you’ll hear straight from Mommy Madge her story as a military mom and sister to service members. She will give you a heads-up on the ups and downs of having two family members serving in the military. About the Guest: Mommy Madge is mom to Charles and sister to Garry, with both men serving in the US Military. She’s been married for 21 years. This mom of three is a KDrama fanatic, certified plantita, and pasta lover who’s also into arts and crafts. Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode: Explore new life experiences in the shoes of a military member’s family Get to know the reasons why one should support a family member in entering the military service Advice from a military parent to a parent whose kid is interested in joining the military Single Quote: “Kuya, I just want you to know that Dad and I are really really proud of you. Kasi hindi dahil pinilit ka namin pero dahil you really want to join the military, and naging sobrang independent ka, yung hindi ka umasa sa amin tapos naging mature ka, you help your sisters, kahit malayo ka you make time and effort na makipag-communicate with them para maramdaman nila na you’re still their Kuya. Sobrang you make us proud.” - Mommy Madge Check out these episode highlights: 01:36 - Mommy Madge: the military mom and sister 04:18 - How Garry and Charles were like growing up 08:45 - When and how Charles told her he's joining the service 10:30 - Her reaction when they were informed about their interest in joining the service 12:30 - The day the two men left for the boot camp and how it felt like for her 16:34 - Phone call privileges and importance of letters in the boot camp 22:21 - Most memorable part of the letter she received from Garry, reminiscing hardships during boot camp, and graduation day 27:34 - The changes she saw in both men after graduation 30:54 - What is her take on deployment 32:40 - The importance of joining military support groups 34:33 - How she will support her other children if they decide to join the service 35:24 - How honored she is of becoming a military mom 37:10 - Advice she gave to a parent who has a child interested in joining the military 38:45 - Her message to Charles 39:57 - Her message to other military children Connect with Mami Redj: Facebook Do you want to hear more stories about military families? This is the podcast for you. You can listen to it wherever you are, and it’s completely free. Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify today. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this page and podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the US Military and/or other entities they represent.

Episode Description: What does it take to turn a boot camp trainee into a service member? How do the separation and commitment of a military spouse affect their families? How can the community help military families adjust to new assignments? In this episode, you’ll hear it straight from Garry about his personal experience in his military journey. Also, we will give you a glimpse of what we go through as a couple living the military life. About the Guest: Garry of the US Military is the Husband of Mami Redj. He used to work in a BPO company before his enlistment. He joined the military because he wanted to give back to the US for accepting him with open arms when he moved. He is currently stationed overseas assisting in providing medical care to military personnel and their families. Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode: Feel what it's like to be at boot camp Understand the sacrifices made by the military and their dedication to their country Learn about the role families and communities play in order for service members to survive during assignments Single Quote: “And that’s also good for us kasi hindi namin nafi-feel na parang they don’t care about us. Kasi kahit na ang tawag natin is freedom, akala ng mga tao is that it’s free. It is not. People are working hard for it. Kaya mayroon tayong freedom. Pero kung wala tayong military baka wala tayong freedom.” - Garry Check out these episode highlights: 03:47 - How Garry told his family and friends about serving in the military and their reaction 07:23 - What he had to go through during boot camp 08:35 - What almost made him quit and what changed his mind 10:35 - His most memorable time in the boot camp 12:38 - What he felt on graduation day and who he shared it with 17:30 - Military: Reality versus expectations 18:32 - Why civilians are grateful toward service members and how they express it 21:17 - How serving in the military directly affects families 22:17 - Why a scene in one Captain America movie rings true to him 23:07 - The sacrifices service members make to serve 24:06 - Some of the difficult times in our relationship 25:24 - My realizations on Garry's training days 28:44 - His thoughts during the pandemic 30:58 - Technology as our bridge for communication 31:48 - His first overseas assignment 34:00 - What he wants our children to know about military service 35:23 - Why the military is all about helping each other 36:20 - Encouraging our children to join the service 37:26 - Encouraging our children to end up with a service member 39:26 - His advice to military couples and families 41:14 - The importance of community Resource:              None Connect with Mami Redj: Facebook Do you want to hear more stories about military families? This is the podcast for you. You can listen to it wherever you are, and it’s completely free. Subscribe to our podcast on Spotify today. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this page and podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the US Military and/or other entities they represent.

What does it take to serve in the military? Why is it that there are people who are actually thinking of being a part of it? What are the pros and cons of having a family while in the service? If you’re wondering what the military is all about, then this episode is for you. Let’s hear it straight from a service member as he gives us a brief overview of the military. About the Guest: Garry of the US Military is the Husband of Mami Redj. He used to work in a BPO company before his enlistment. He joined the military because he wanted to give back to the US for accepting him with open arms when he moved. He is currently stationed overseas assisting in providing medical care to military personnel and their families. Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode: Learn the requirements, qualifications, roles, culture, and training in the military. Find out the tangible and intangible benefits of being a military member. Know the housing arrangements of military families and discover the importance of having a family while in the service. Single Quote: “In terms of belongingness, andyan ‘yung mag kasama mo. Kung wala kang family, itong mga kasama mo, yan ang magiging family mo. So, dun pa lang sa training namin, tinuturuan ka tanggalin 'yung individuality mo.” - Garry Check out these episode highlights: 03:42 - What the military is all about and what it is for 04:26 - The basic requirements to join the military 06:04 - The six branches of the US Military 08:20 - Gender classification in the military 09:51 - What’s more to the military than being physically fit 12:08 - How service members are motivated during boot camp: Then versus Now 14:32 - Reasons why recruits quit the boot camp 17:57 - The importance of having a family while in the service and its treatment in the military 26:04 - The difference between training and deployment 29:23 - Why each and every role in the military is essential  32:30 - Basic training versus primary training 34:47 - Why military families are not allowed in areas of deployment 36:31 - Housing arrangements in the military 37:51 - Who gets to live off-base (if it’s advisable) and why 40:56 - Why does Garry prefer having a family while in the service and why others don’t 42:58 - The pros and cons of having a family while in the service 44:50 - Recognizing strictness and discipline in the military Enjoyed the Podcast? Be sure to subscribe to Spotify and connect with me on Facebook. It means so much to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to spread the word! DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the US Military and/or other entities they represent.

Are you curious about how military families live a life of constant changes and uncertainties? Do all military families face the same challenges? How do they make a house a home only to leave it behind in two to three years? In this episode, I will share with you my very own afterthoughts on the military family. Why You’ve got to Check out today’s Episode Learn what made me decide to start this podcast Find out how this podcast serves as a safe space for you and your loved ones Know the challenges military members and their families face and how you can support them “Nearly 1 million or 43% of military personnel are actually parents. Can you imagine the struggle of these parents when they actually try to complete their mission or do their service while attending to their family’s needs? It’s a challenge for sure.” - Mami Redj Check out these episode highlights: 02:50 - What is my goal for this podcast 03:19 - Why civilians have difficulty understanding military family life 03:49 - Why military families find it difficult to connect with others 04:47 - Why do I consider myself lucky in comparison to other military spouses/families 05:43 - How my husband and I survived five years of LDR 08:09 - The you-know-and-you-don't-know scenario in deployment 09:28 - How this podcast can be a safe space through connection 11:08 - How military families are similar and different at the same time 13:39 - The people you will hear stories from 15:26 - How I conceptualized the show by viewing it through the perspectives of our own military family members 18:15 - The rollercoaster ride of heartbreaking isolations/relocations and heartwarming homecomings 20:56 - One of my important afterthoughts on the military family 22:58 - How the right mindset helps me prepare for the inevitable 24:32 - What I am experiencing right now as a military spouse 28:09 - How military families adapt 30:42 - The challenges military families face 36:31 - What I want to focus on through this podcast 37:58 - What my mission is for this podcast 38:35 - What I have learned while living the military family life Resource: https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-guides/help-military-families.html Connect with Mami Redj: Facebook Enjoyed the Podcast? Be sure to subscribe to Spotify and leave a review. It means so much to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word! DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this page and podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the US Military and/or other entities they represent.

What is it like to live the military life? It's like navigating uncharted waters, where changes are both inevitable and frequent. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Let's navigate military life together through Afterthought on the Military Family Podcast. Let me share with you how to be a supportive spouse and how to manage long-distance marriage for years. Let's dive into the challenges service members and their families face. And if you’re not from a military family, don't worry. Get a glimpse of the realities of military life through inspiring stories from service members and their families. Excited to explore adventures as a military family? Subscribe now and don‘t miss an episode! DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed on this page and podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the US Military and/or other entities they represent.