F e a t u r e s
J
eanette Wilson is just like any other working mum, constantly juggling her busy home life with a full-time career. However, this balancing act was made all the more
difficult by the fact she served 1000’s of miles away in Basrah. Jeanette is a Flight Lieutenant, who has just come back from a 4 month detachment with 903 Expeditionary Air Wing. Her husband, Paul, was left holding the fort back in the UK. Here Jeanette gives a taste of what it was like and how she coped.
I joined the RAF 13 years ago as a RAF Police Officer. My initial officer training seems a million miles away now! My posting out to an operational theatre on OP TELIC 11 was one I’ve been waiting and hoping for such a long time. When I was told I was going to Basrah I was very excited.
My role was that of a Force Protection (FP) Battle Captain, which means I co-ordinated all FP assets on the Contingency Operating Base (COB) at Basrah Air Station, Iraq. I was called forward early as my predecessor was injured during celebratory fire and was unlucky enough to be struck by a falling bullet. He was fine, but telling my husband, Paul, the reason for me being called forward was tricky! I have been married for 5 years and have 3 children. My youngest, Poppy, is just one and they are the light of my life.
Many people often ask what it is like to be a mother on the front line, and my answer is that it is no different from being a father on the front line. The answer is not meant to be flippant or anywhere feminist, for the fact remains that there were many, many people with family out there and we all felt the same. ‘But surely it must be different’ they say. Well how can I tell? I know that the fellas missed their families just as much as I missed mine. There were many of us away from home and we all missed birthdays and anniversaries and the occasional Christmas.
I missed my little boy Ioan’s 3rd birthday and our wedding anniversary. Both days made me think about home, and the birthday party I was missing; missing the excitement of Ioan’s face as he opened his presents. Yes, it was difficult, especially when he wouldn’t come to the phone. It was so busy that grabbing precious seconds on the phone were a real lifeline, and the fact that he was ‘too busy’ was tough to take, but on reflection it was a good indication that my absence hadn’t upset him. It is true that I had a real hunger for home, but it didn’t detract from the fact that I worked hard and had a very interesting and challenging job.
‘Was it frightening?’ Yes, sometimes. I’ve had a rocket land 20 yards from me and I felt the blast wave, and I had shrapnel fall on me 3 times. The rockets as they land are very loud, and anyone in their right mind would be frightened; but I was there to do a job, and I am well and truly indoctrinated by the military sense of humour! I also knew that I was surrounded
by people who would always do their best to keep each other safe. I was not an independent unit. That is one of the joys of my job, the team ethos and the ‘can do’ attitude that are always present, especially on Ops and under fire. I have never regretted joining the military, I am enormously proud of the job I do and I know my kids think it’s great, and sometimes quite funny, that their Mummy is a ‘soldier’.
The down sides are the pressures on Paul when I’m away; he has no down time and he has to support the kids who often ask when I’m coming home. Also I missed them all, who wouldn’t? I had some R & R so I got a few days at home. R & R in itself is a double-edged sword, because leaving them again was hell, and there is no doubt that the theatre is dangerous. The kids also wondered where I’d gone off to again and gave their Dad a hard time. All the same, I wouldn’t have changed a thing, my family are proud of me, and although it’s dangerous, as they say ‘if you can’t take a laugh you shouldn’t have joined’; well this Mum is damn proud she did.
Jeanette’s husband Paul said, “Yes, it’s tough and hard work when Jeanette is away; we love and miss her very much, but she is doing something she loves. We want very much to support her, and my family have been great giving me a hand with the little ones. I have always understood what she’ll be required to do, and the fact that she really wants to do it. It is lovely when she gets back home though…..if only so I can get an uninterrupted soak in the bath!”
6
Autumn 2008
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
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