I know from reading (books, operators' advice, and these posts)...that having the support of your family can make you or break you. And I understand to talk to your wife, let her know/understand why it is you do what you do...but what about the kids? Obviously, each family will handle it how they wish to handle it. My question is how's your relationship with your kids? (I don't mean to imply anything by the question...or pry into anyone's family). I'm just curious how the kids handle it?

Also, while I was stationed at Kadena, the SOG support folks would always tell me to bring my family out to their "family day". Of coarse they would never tell me when that was, so I never got to go. But they described it as a chance for the operators to bring their wives and family out to "see a little of what it is that they do." Go in the helo (grounded probably), heavies, and etc... Does this sound right? How much family involvement is there? Mass cas. exercises...ever let your teenage kids play the victims/target? Just curious. Sorry this is so long...

Please reply operators and family alike...thanks.

Lots of family involvement. I'm at Kadena now...we have BBQs, family days, etc...all the time and have fun. Normally, survivors are either pilots or others that get something out of the training so during most training, family is not involved...but during a base wide mass cas, they could be...along with a NEO exercise...might not be fun, but important.