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Motherhood in the military

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Simones
  • 178th Wing

Senior Airman Patrice Brown, a member with the 178th Force Support Squadron, throws her daughter, Zoe, in the air and catches her.

Zoe squeals and smiles as her mother continues with the game. Brown is not an ordinary mother. She not only serves her child, but her nation, too.

Brown enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard in 2012 and she became a mother in 2017.

“I wasn’t sure how I was going to balance motherhood with my Guard duties,” said Brown.

Over time, Brown learned to balance her role as a mother with her role as an Airman.

“I just set priorities and follow through with them to the best of my ability,” said Brown. “Zoe is a great daughter so she makes being a mom and a full time Airman so much better.”

Although balancing dual responsibilities was challenging, the Air National Guard provided Brown with opportunities to better her daughter’s future.

“I’m grateful to be a part of an organization that allows me to set myself and my daughter up for success,” said Brown.