Faith in Family: The Carcamos

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Sparks
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  A career in the military offers many unique challenges and opportunities. Military members have an instant connection due to those shared experiences. Senior Master Sgt. Claudia Carcamo, 319th Air Base Wing executive superintendent, and her husband Chief Master Sgt. Marlon Carcamo, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron chief enlisted manager, have been married for the last 12 years and their shared Air Force experiences have made adapting to the challenges of being a military family easier.

The Carcamos have more than 44 years of Air Force experience between them, 19 years for Sgt. Carcamo and 25 years for Chief Carcamo. Twelve years ago they married while stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida. During those 12 years, they have been stationed at five different bases and been through six deployments.

Sgt. Carcamo said their experience in the Air Force has made handling the challenges of a military family with their two children, Alessia and Javier, much simpler.

"We've been doing it for so long that we are able to switch roles easily," said Sgt. Carcamo.

She recalled the hardest challenge they've faced as a family; when their son, Javier, was only 10 days old Chief Carcamo deployed for six months. Shortly after Chief Carcamo returned, Sgt. Carcamo deployed for six months. She said it was difficult as a family to miss so many crucial moments in their son's first year.

For the Carcamos, their Air Force family played a big role during that hard time. They were stationed in Germany, so her Air Force family was the only family she had around. They made sure she got to her doctor's appointments and even helped Chief Carcamo plan their son's first birthday party.

"If it wasn't for our extended Air Force family I don't know what I would have done," said Sgt. Carcamo. "Their support was so important to me."

These tough times were something the Carcamos knew they would encounter, but they said they were dedicated to the Air Force.

"From the beginning, we both knew the Air Force was important to us and that we both wanted to retire from the Air Force," said Sgt. Carcamo.

The Carcamos have experienced many personal and professional benefits during their time in the Air Force, but they have also noticed the benefits for their children.

"I believe that our children are a lot more resilient and confident," said Sgt. Carcamo. "They are much better adjusting to change because it is all they know."

Moving from base to base, spending more than 1,400 days apart in 12 years and learning how to be a single parent during deployments has made life a constant changing challenge for the Carcamos. Sgt. Carcamo believes her Air Force family and leadership's support has made those challenges easier. Chief Carcamo is currently deployed, but after all the challenges and time apart the Carcamos remain grateful.

"We wouldn't change the life the Air Force has given us for anything," said Sgt. Carcamo. "We've had a great life because of the Air Force."

Editor's note: This feature is the second of a three-part series on military families. The features are honoring Military Family Month, which is celebrated November 2015.