Breaking a Family Tradition: Choosing a Different Path

Family Background

• Military Tradition: Family with a strong military history.
  • Grandfather: Marine for 30 years.
  • Father: Retired army colonel.
  • Uncle: Died in Desert Storm.
  • Cousins: Enlisted out of high school.

Personal Aspirations

• Desired to be a nurse, differing from the family's military path.
• Family Reaction:
  • Father disapproved of nursing, perceiving it as menial.
  • Family saw not enlisting as a betrayal of family values.

Attempt at Compromise

• Mother suggested roles related to military service (e.g., medic, VA work).
• Desire to help people irrespective of military association.

Turning Point

• 18th Birthday Incident:
  • Father presented enlistment papers instead of a birthday cake.
  • Given ultimatum: sign enlistment or leave home.
  • Chose to leave home, marking a significant split from family tradition.

Path to Nursing

• Lived with friends, worked through schooling.
• Attained a nursing degree after five challenging years.

Career as a Nurse

• First Job: County General Hospital, known for being understaffed and underpaid.
• Encountered a patient, Dave, a Vietnam vet reminiscent of his father.
  • Similarities in appearance and background to his father.
  • Moment of introspection about expectations and personal choices.

Conclusion

• The decision to pursue nursing over military service led to estrangement but allowed pursuit of personal passions.
• Encountering a patient similar to his father emphasized the ongoing internal conflict and determination to stay true to personal values.