Today the Royal Bahamas Defence Force sends a resounding Happy Mother’s Day to all those mothers within our ranks and files, as well as to our followers. Women in the Force who are mothers have diverse experiences and backgrounds. There are basic nuclear and blended families as well as mothers managing a single parent home. Some of our mothers were blessed with multiple children, while others celebrate one child. Others have chosen to adopt or provide nourishing foster care. Some of our mothers have been appointed to care for children with special needs and mothers throughout the Force continue to protect their children throughout the various stages of life, whether newborn, in school or college or in the workforce. Bravo Zulu and Best Wishes always.
Leading Woman Marine Rankine is 12-year service member in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and currently works in the Registry Office of the Administration Department. She is a single mother of 1 son, Aiden.
“Being a military mom has its own unique set of challenges. There are shifts, leave stoppages and detachments that sometime pull you away from home.
It’s even harder having a son with disabilities, having to ensure that he gets to his physio, speech and occupational therapy appointments. But I’ve learned that managing my time well is key to finding the balance between being a woman marine and a mother. So I spend as much time as possible with him doing activities that I know he loves. This makes things a little easier for him when I do have to leave to carry out my duties.”
Leading Woman Marine Stevette McSweeney Rankine is pictured enjoying some time at the park with her son Aiden Anthony Alexander Rankine. (photos by Marine Seaman Michael Turner)
