By Maria McConville, MS,RDN,CPT*
CHAMP’s ongoing #GotMySix campaign spotlights how social support from friends and loved ones can help maintain total fitness, improve feelings of connectedness, and enhance mental well-being. Until I heard of this campaign, I didn’t realize I’ve been the lucky recipient of someone “having my six” all my life.
I grew up in a fairly big family. I’m one of 6 kids—all born within 8 years of each other. We laughed a lot, cried on each other’s shoulders, rotated bedrooms, camped in the summer with the 6 of us sharing a big, green tent (while our parents opted for the pop-up trailer), and even helped each other with chores. We got along well and stuck up for each other when one of us was in trouble for some sort of antic. One of my favorite examples of our teamwork was when my brother, the only boy with 5 sisters, sewed a skirt for one of my sisters (a project she had to complete for home economics class). She hated to sew, but he was pretty skilled with the sewing machine and made the skirt for her.
I can literally say, “We always had each other’s six.”
When I went to college, I joined a sorority, where I spent a significant amount of time. I had a “big sis” and a “little sis.” My big sis helped me navigate college and sorority life, and I did the same for my little sis. Pledging allegiance to a sorority required commitment to a sisterhood. I had about 200 sorority sisters who, I knew, always had my back, and I had theirs.
Military families DO make friends fast and help each other without reservation.
After college, I commissioned into the Army and several years later became an Army Spouse. Having been a military spouse for over three decades now, I see daily examples of not only Military Service Members having each other’s six, but family members as well.
Years ago, when I was a newer spouse with young children, we moved to a large post where I didn’t know anyone. I shared my angst with one of my sisters prior to our move. My sister called me two weeks after we arrived at our new duty station to check on me. I told her that I couldn’t talk long because some neighbors in our on-post community had invited me to go out. Being the first day of school, the moms celebrated by going to lunch and a matinee. My sister was quiet for a moment and then said, “I’ve lived in my neighborhood for 10 years, and no one has ever invited me to lunch or the movies. I’m envious of the closeness you have in the military communities. You’ve only been there a couple days and you already have friends.” And I had to agree: Military families DO make friends fast and help each other without reservation.
I’ve seen many examples of military families supporting one another in unique circumstances. For instance, being in the delivery room with a woman when her partner was deployed. Or taking in another military family’s high school senior to finish out the school year when the student’s family had to PCS mid-year. Or babysitting another’s kids for a week while the Military Service Member and spouse attended a military training or dealt with a family emergency. I could go on and on with selfless examples of the unwavering commitment that military families have to each other and their country. Each and every day, I feel very fortunate to be part of a community where I can help others and know if I need help in return, someone will surely have my six.
Visit HPRC’s #GotMySix page to learn more.
About the author
Disclosure: *The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of USU or DoD. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The author has no financial interests or relationships to disclose
