Penn State Military Family Stories

Jerry and I met in 29 Palms California where we were both stationed as active duty Marines. Together we have two amazing children: Christian (19) and Alicia (13). Jerry served 20 years in the Marine Corps before retiring on 4 September 2020. I served 5 years in the Marine Corps. Due to a severe spinal injury that led to a complex spinal fusion and 2 years of rehabilitative therapy to walk again after my surgery, I was medically retired on 31 August 2007. I am currently a 1st year doctoral student at Penn State pursuing a Ph.D. in Special Education. My focus is on supporting families and children that are navigating various speech and communication challenges.

Family was key to 30 years of service to the Nation in the US Army. Without their love and support, I could not have continued on a military career that was a calling for me. Like all military families, serving meant many, many moves throughout the United States and overseas or that I was away for long stretches of time. They supported each move and then some.

If I were to capture the essence of our family in a painting, it would be that of a resilient palm tree. Just as a palm tree endures the fiercest storms, it adapts and grows more resilient with each challenge, bending but never breaking. Our journey began in the U.S. Navy and later transitioned to the U.S. Army. As a family, we faced countless challenges and extreme stress at times, but looking back only made us stronger and pulled us closer together.

My name is Kayla Probert and this is my family's story. My biggest inspiration to become a Naval Nurse Officer as a young child was first with my grandfather, William Probert, who served in the Navy as an electrician's mate on the USS Thomas Jefferson during the Vietnam conflict. He told me stories of life in the Navy and dedication to duty. He had a great love for his country.

My husband, Steve, is a Penn State graduate, class of 1990 (graduated in Jan 1991) with a BS in Aerospace Engineering. We have been married for 23 years and have been blessed with two daughters Katelyn (22) and Caroline (20) who are also Penn Staters. Katelyn recently graduated in May 2023 with her BS in Forensic Science, and Caroline is currently a junior in the Nursing program at University Park.

We have been living this military life for over 14 years. Craig and I (Brittany) received our commissions from Penn State in 2009. After a few years and one combat deployment for each of us, I left the Army, and he continued to serve. Our children have lived in 4 different states, and we have moved 6 times. Every time we are about to move, I am terrified. I am scared that we won't find friends, that our home or neighborhood won't be a good fit, that we won't find good schools, and that my kids will resent this transient life. Every time I have been amazed that none of these things have happened.