The Woman Behind the Man in Uniform

It is another routine day in the life of the man as he dons his uniform, gets ready, gears up and belts down to offer succor and support to his fellow countrymen. At the first break of dawn, as he wakes up to the call of duty, she is awake too, along with him, alongside him. As he gets out of bed, so does she.

And yet, she dons no uniform, she wears no medals, no badge, no rank, no title, yet, she is the woman who is as much a part of the Services as he is. It is not her job, not her duty, nor her calling and yet she is as much a part of the Service as he is. The woman who steadfastly stands behind her man in the uniform. A woman, a lady, who knows that her love and commitment, her strength and tenacity will offer an anchoring to that man in uniform.

As you watch these men in the uniform, you wonder what is it that separates them from the others…what is it that gives them the courage to lay their lives routinely on line to help others, to save others, to rescue others. With what ease they routinely follow the lines that guide them on all their missions: The safety, honour & welfare of your country comes first, always & every time. The honour, welfare & comfort of the men you command, come next. Your own ease, comfort & safety come last, always & every time.

How confidently, day in and day out, they go on with their jobs, with not a single thought for their own safety, security or comfort. With what grit and determination they move with the first light of the dawn and come back tired and exhausted after having saved a few lives, made a real difference. And to think, it’s just another day in their lives. These men in uniform, you wonder what they are made of?!

While they still get acknowledged to some degree by those around them…their peers, their superiors, the people they have helped, the people they have saved, an award that is bestowed, a citation that is conferred, in the media which acknowledges their heroic deeds every once in a way…the woman however, remains unsung, unacknowledged mostly.

Who spares a thought for the families that these brave and heroic men leave behind everyday…the wives, the children…who in some sure way contribute to making the man in the uniform the hero he is. The families who stand and bravely wave their husbands and fathers good-bye as they go away whenever their duty calls.

The wife who valiantly and silently stands, knowing that her strength will give her man the courage, knowing that her independence would give him the freedom, knowing that her tenacity and determination will give him the confidence to never look back.

The wife, who knows that she wouldn’t be her husband’s first priority for now, knows that she would always live in the shadows of his first love, his uniform…the wife, who stoically stands behind the man in the uniform. Not ever rewarded or awarded or acknowledged by outsiders, these women of steel are behind their men at all times.

As he is busy on his crusades, the wife patiently and steadfastly manages the home-front….the quiet and soft demeanor belying her steely grit and strength. For her, the family which he leaves behind, is her mission, is her responsibility, is her crusade, is her world.

Putting on a brave face, her cheerful smiles hide the nibbling fears that gnaw at her. Instilling a sense of pride and not fear in her children she nurtures them, mostly single-handedly. Making sure, they know that their father makes a difference to others’ lives, as he is missing their birthdays, annual days in school or family holidays at grandparents’ places. Covering his absence in the lives of people who are his near and dear ones she is his perfect buddy too, in more ways than one. A woman of steel, behind the man of steel.

As she quietly walks behind him, you no longer wonder why the men in uniform move so bravely, so confidently and so strongly. The woman behind the man, they say can make or mar him…and you no longer wonder about the driving force behind these brave-hearts.

As she cheerfully walks past, you no longer wonder why the men in uniform stand up and salute her, as they acknowledge her self-less contribution. You no longer wonder what passions drive her, for she teaches us all how to love and let go!

As we acknowledge the stellar acts of the men in uniform, let us spare a thought for their families, their loved ones and that one woman who is a brave-heart in her own right too!