AN OCEAN AWAY

By Lieutenant Sarah (Atwood) Shellock 05, USN

Fair Winds
Ten years, 10 months and three daysthe sum total of my naval career, from Induction Day in Annapolis to the last day of my terminal leave. In terms of years and months and days, it seems both staggeringmore than a third of my relatively young life has been spent in service of my countryand also quite small when compared to those who serve for so much longer. It certainly does not capture the highs and lows of the last decade: failing physics and serving restriction youngster year, singing at the Presidential Inauguration and then Super Bowl XXXIX as a firstie, struggling to get my SWO pin, wandering through the Iraqi desert beneath the stars on a cool, crisp winter night and, most importantly, meeting friends who would help celebrate the good times and sustain me through the bad. Looking back, there have been far more highs than lows, and the decision to resign my commission was extremely difficult. Until about a year ago, I could imagine continuing my career in the Navy and all that it entails: going back to sea as a department head, possibly another IA, increased responsibility and opportunities for leadership. Then my whole world changed when my beautiful daughter, Ruby, was born. In an instant I knew that my place was now with her, the same way my mother chose to end her naval service when I was born almost three decades ago. I also knew that my future would involve encouraging my husband in his naval career, and that his long absences from Ruby would at least be tempered by my constant presence. The Navy in general and the Surface Warfare community in particular is striving to retain active duty women. Women are encouraged to plan pregnancies to coincide with shore duty. When women on sea duty become pregnant, they are transferred by their 20th week, which causes additional strain on crews that are already optimally staffed. New mothers receive six weeks of leave after giving birth and a yearlong reprieve from ship deployments or assignments in war zones. The Navy is also implementing a career intermission program that is open to all officers and Sailors, regardless
LT Sarah Shellock and Ruby. Photo courtesy of LT Shellock

of gender, that essentially lets you hit pause and become a civilian for up to three years and then rejoin the Navy, reset into a new year group so that you compete with people of the same experience level. I do not believe that the Navy can, or should, do more. It is a simple matter of choice. I know women who choose to continue on in the Navy after having children, and I have tremendous respect for them. Other women choose to either delay or forego childbirth. My husband and I chose to have a baby and it is now my choice to leave the Navy. SWOs go to seait is what we do and what we love. The Navy cannot change that, nor can it change the fact that for some of us, the birth of a child makes the prospect of extended deployments unimaginable. For me, its not about the possibility of missing milestones, birthdays and first steps are wonderful experiences, but on the long road of childhood they are just mile markers ticking away the distance that your baby has traveled. I want to be a mother like my own mother was, and like my sister is to her four children; a steady hand to guide Ruby through infancy and childhood; to be there for the mundane and the difficult and the magnificent, walking beside and sometimes carrying her. So I am at peace as I embark on a new chapter of my life and the life of my family. I am also honored to have had the opportunity to serve my country and gratefulso very gratefulfor the experiences I have had and the friends I have made over the past 10 years, 10 months and three days. They have helped shape who I am and the mother that I am becoming. From everyone here at Shipmate, we would like to wish Lieutenant Shellock Fair Winds and Following Seas as she and her family embark on this new adventure. Congratulations!

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