ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
When this young woman met her husband, he was a first sergeant at Tinker. Seven years after they married, Paula McKinley, wife of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Rodney J. McKinley, is amazed at the path life has laid before them.
"I had no idea what I was about to encounter," said Mrs. McKinley. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my husband and I would be sitting in this position today."
Born in Fort Worth, TX, Mrs. McKinley lived most of her life in Oklahoma. Her knowledge of the military lifestyle began when her father shared many of his own war stories with her.
"My father was a World War II fighter pilot," said Mrs. McKinley. "As a child I endured his war stories at the dinner table - as an adult, I would give anything to hear them again."
Prior to her induction into Air Force life as a military wife, Mrs. McKinley was a businesswoman. "I had a career in commercial and real estate lending for over twenty years," said Mrs. McKinley.
In the past seven years, Mrs. McKinley has had her share of initiations into Air Force life including, the rite of passage for all military families, the permanent change of station.
"We have been stationed at Ramstein, Langley, Elmendorf, Hickam, and are now stationed at the Pentagon and live at Andrews," said Mrs. McKinley. "We have moved seven times in the past seven years. It is nice to know that we'll be staying put here for awhile."
Mrs. McKinley sees her new role the same as any military spouse would see their own.
"Well, I don't see my role to be any different from any other Air Force wife," said Mrs. McKinley. "My number one objective is to support my husband. My number two objective is to support our Airmen and their families, as well as staying current with Air Force issues." As such, Mrs. McKinley is a volunteer at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center.
As an Air Force wife, Mrs. McKinley sees the challenges and opportunities that many military spouses face. "I think the biggest challenge to me as an Air Force wife was when we were assigned to Ramstein just two months after we were married," said Mrs. McKinley. "Not only had I left my hometown of 30 years, but I also left my children and my grandchildren - well, my entire family. Another challenge - like so many spouses have experienced - is dealing with loneliness while my husband has been deployed or on temporary duty." That said, Mrs. McKinley also enjoys the opportunities the military lifestyle have provided. "I consider myself somewhat adventurous, so I would say one of the best things about being an Air Force wife is having the opportunity to live in various places and experience different cultures," said Mrs. McKinley. "Another great thing is that I have the privilege of being a part of one of the most respected organizations in our country and being able to witness the pride, dedication and commitment of Airmen and their families - they are such an inspiration to us all."
As an Air Force wife and a person with such a unique background and experiences, Mrs. McKinley has tips to share with other spouses. "My tip to any Air Force wife is to visit their Airman and Family Readiness Center. This should be one of the very first things Air Force wives do upon arrival at any new duty station," said Mrs. McKinley. "The Airman and Family Readiness Center is the heart of any Air Force community. They are chock-full of information and resources and are dedicated to helping our Airmen and their families." Another tip Mrs. McKinley shared "is to make at least one friend at each assignment and you will find it to be a good assignment." Mrs. McKinley added, "I know that the military life isn't always easy, however the good experiences usually outweigh the bad. So it is important to stay positive and have an open mind ... no telling what new adventures await."
Between them, the McKinleys have five children and five grandchildren. "We also have one dog who thinks he is a child," said Mrs. McKinley. "He is a 6-year old Jack Russell Terrier named Jack." Mrs. McKinley is leaving a beautiful legacy for her children - a chronicle detailing her and Chief McKinley's adventures. "I have started a journal since my husband took on his new role," said Mrs. McKinley. "I think our children and their children will be interested in reading it one day."
Mrs. McKinley also enjoys playing golf, the outdoors, painting, reading and visiting museums in her spare time. Mrs. McKinley is even in the process of teaching herself how to sew.
Mrs. McKinley said that if she had to do it all over again, she most definitely would. "My life has truly been - and continues to be - blessed and enriched by this Air Force experience."