Photo By Sgt. Julia scott | Quintin and Cooper Howard pose with their father, Master Sgt. Scott Howard, an Equal...... read more read more
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“The first deployment, I don’t remember him leaving, but I remember the excitement of my dad coming back,” explained the tall, quiet 18 year-old. “I felt like I was missing something.”
Quintin Howard, the oldest son of Master Sgt. Scott Howard, an Equal Opportunity Advisor for 1st Cavalry Division, III Corps, at Fort Hood, Texas, cannot remember a time when his dad was not in the Army. Quintin was born while Howard was in basic training in 2002, and his dad did not see him for the first time until Quintin was a month old.
According to the Department of Defense, the United States military has over 1.2 million children of active duty service members globally, and almost 900,000 of those are children of Soldiers. While it can be a very challenging lifestyle for dependents, it also provides incredible opportunities.
For Howard’s sons Quintin and Cooper, being military children is just their everyday way of life.
“I don’t know how to compare it to ‘normal,’” Quintin said, “but it’s definitely been a cool opportunity.”
During the course of his career, Howard has deployed four times for a total time of three years; and while deployments are hard for service members, they are also very challenging for children.
“With each deployment, it’s still just as hard,” said Cooper, an energetic 13-year old. “It doesn’t get easier every time he has to leave.”
Military families move an average of once every two to three years, and moves are usually across states and sometimes countries. The Howard children have spent their childhood in Germany, Oklahoma, Washington, and Texas. Their parents have made a lot of sacrifices to allow them to stay in Texas for the past six years.
Quintin explained that his dad spent about two years away from the family in school and as a geographical bachelor at Fort Benning, Georgia, so he could provide some stability for his children before returning to his family at Fort Hood.
Sgt. Maj. Paul Cerabone, the non-commissioned officer in-charge of the 4th Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office on Fort Carson, Colorado, believes Howard is a great husband and father who balances his responsibilities to the Army and his family well.
Cerabone was the command sergeant major of the 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning when Howard was the first sergeant there.
“He was humble about his achievements in the Army,” Cerabone recalled, “but he was more than happy to talk about his family.”
As difficult as the separation was, Howard’s sons appreciate the opportunities they have as military children and work hard to focus on the positive.
They love the fresh start of moving and making new friends. Quintin and Cooper have maintained friendships across the world. Quintin kept in touch with a few close friends from each place he has lived, and he and Cooper both enjoy the relationships they have built.
Chandra Howard, Quintin and Cooper’s mom, also works full-time as the manager for a local storage company so as they have gotten older, the boys have spent a lot of time on their own and developed a strong sense of independence and self-sufficiency.
As Quintin approaches graduation from high school, he is grateful for lessons he has learned as a military child and for his dad’s example through both the challenging and good times.
Quintin is preparing to enlist in the Army after graduation just like his dad. While he is not sure yet what job he is interested in pursuing, he wants to experience for himself the life lessons and benefits he has seen throughout his dad’s Army career.
When asked how he felt about their dad’s service, Quintin responded without hesitation.
“I’m very proud of our dad.”
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| Date Taken: | 04.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2021 13:27 |
| Story ID: | 394601 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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