Photo By Tech. Sgt. Dana Cable | Airman 1st Class Kalei Kleive (left), and her father, Tech. Sgt. Scott Kleive, pose...... read more read more
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For most people, going on a deployment means leaving your family behind, however that is not the case for everyone.
Tech Sgt. Scott Kleive, 179th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron crew chief, and his daughter, Airman 1st Class Kalei Kleive, 179th EFS plans and scheduling manager, get the unique experience of sharing their first deployment together.
Kleive and his daughter are both deployed from the Air National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, Minnesota.
Scott enlisted into the ANG in 1992 but left the service in 1998 when Kalei was born. In 2012, after a 14-year break in service, Scott decided to reenlist and rejoin the 148th FW.
“I wanted to go back in and have the adventure I had in the 90’s and to experience some new challenges,” Scott said. “I also thought maybe if my kids saw dad join, they would explore the military as an option.”
A little over two years ago, Kalei enlisted into the ANG and into the same squadron as her father.
“I always thought it was cool that my dad did the whole military thing,” Kalei said. “He’s definitely a role model for me.”
Kalei said she took full advantage of being able to pick her father’s brain and receive real insight about enlisting into the Air Force.
“I gave her some open education and information on what it’s like to be a part of the 148th FW and the military in general,” Scott said.
Scott said he is proud of Kalei and it has been really special to watch her grow as an Airmen, especially in this deployed environment.
Being deployed sometimes means missing holidays with family, but Kalei was able to do something special for her father’s birthday while here.
“His birthday was on June 2nd, so I got him a present and a card and I made sure everyone knew it was his birthday,” said Kalei. “For Father’s Day, I will come up with something and get him a present and tell him how much I love him and that it’s good to be here with him.”
Scott and Kalei both stated they are glad to have each other here while deployed.
“If I wasn’t able to be here with her I would be much more stressed than being here together,” Scott said. “We get to share this experience together while also comforting family and friends at home that we are okay.”
According to Scott, sometimes deployments are more difficult for the loved one at home.
“I don’t think that there is any question that it is more stressful for family and friends back home, because we are here to accomplish a mission and take it day by day and work through the challenges that we have here together, whether its maintenance or the weather we can lean on each other,” Scott said.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2018 02:35 |
| Story ID: | 281268 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Hometown: | DULUTH, MN, US |
| Web Views: | 1,238 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Like father, like daughter, by TSgt Dana Cable, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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