For Better Or Worse - how a dual-military-career couple manages their personal and professional life

All Hands, July, 2001 by Jim Watson

However, they finally got what they wanted in 1998 when they arrived at Great Lakes and began what they would soon find to be their biggest challenge yet.

"It was initially about promotion. Lee and I both wanted to make chief and knew this was the place to do it' said Katherine. "I made it before we even got here though, and Lee made it shortly after we arrived. still it has been very rewarding duty, especially seeing what we have achieved with turning a civilian into a Sailor."

Although, it wasn't easy for Lee, who had to deal with his mother's death just weeks before the chief's exam, he had to try and study for the classified rating of cryptology, which called for him to travel for hours to other bases that had the information, all the while balancing his duties as RDC, father and husband.

"It can be really hard at times, considering the hours we work and the children's needs' said Lee as he watches his company parade around the drill hall. "When we both have division's we are doing a tag-team thing where she's coming and I'm going."

Living like that can mean you may only see your spouse for moments rather than hours or even minutes a day, not to mention the time the children spend with a sitter or with only one parent around.

As the loudspeaker inside the barracks sounds "Tattoo, tattoo, lights out in five minutes," Lee prepares his troops for the end of yet another day, knowing his children, as well as his wife, have probably already gone over homework, sat down for dinner together, talked about the day and even gone on to bed. He will be returning to his home exactly how he left it -- dark with his family fast asleep. But most importantly -- he knows they will be there.

At precisely 10 p.m., the lights go out and Lee looks over any remaining problems, files away some paperwork with the barracks duty officer and retires for the night, thinking to himself that he will be right back here in less than six hours.

When he arrives home, he finds Katherine is almost asleep, drained from a day of the boys' baseball practice, various meetings and housework. They talk about their day, console each other and savor the silence that ultimately soothes them to sleep. As they hold each other tight, they think to themselves, this is the "for better" part.

Watson is a photojournalist assigned to All Hands.