Military mom - family comes first Published March 22, 2012 By Capt. Antonia Greene 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs Office JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- "I'm a mother and a wife, the Army is what I do," said Army Capt. Rikki Opperman, 174th Infantry Brigade chief of training. "My family is my passion." Although the active duty Army is comprised of just 15 percent females, according to Army.mil, these warriors shoulder heavy loads. Rikki said she never saw herself becoming a military officer, even though she hails from a long line of Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen. "I was motivated by the scholarship, by the opportunity to travel and the job experience," said Rikki. "I signed on the dotted line and soon after started dating my future husband." Rikki became a cadet with the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Central Oklahoma, where she met Ron Opperman. Ron is now an Army captain and the 174th Infantry Brigade adjutant officer. The pair began dating and after two months they were engaged, and by fall break they were married. Upon commissioning in 2004, the Oppermans' were stationed in Germany where they became pregnant almost immediately. "What I learned early on from other military couples, was not to let the Army dictate when and where we were going to start our family," said Rikki. "We were financially stable with two lieutenants' pay and ready." Six years later, the Oppermans take life a day and a year at a time. They said they consider themselves fortunate. They now have two children, Boomer, 6 and Dakoda, 4 and they agree they are motivated by their families. "The number one lesson I've learned is to always put family first," said Rikki. "Family is the most important and if we have to take turns with priorities and career progression assignments, that's what we do." The Oppermans deployed simultaneously in 2009. They credit a strong support system on both sides of the family as having helping them tremendously. Boomer was three and Dakoda was one. The children stayed with Rikki's parents during the deployment. Although they both deployed with 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division to Iraq, Rikki was at Camp Speicher, and Ron was in Balad. Rikki was a company commander, and Ron a staff officer. "It was tough. We were separated from each other and the kids," said Rikki. "Ron and I made an effort to talk on the phone every night and I Skyped with the kids every day." Being away from family especially during a deployment, made returning home that much more complicated. "Separation is hard on a family and just as hard on a marriage," said Rikki. "It helped that we had common experiences; we knew what the other was going through, but it was still a difficult transition going back into the house as parents." Being in a dual-military household presents additional challenges because of the limited family time. "Considering daycare has our child from the start of my day at PT until completion of the day's work around 1800, we only have our kids for about four hours before bed time and the process starts all over," explained Ron. Making the best of the time you do have is what matters, Rikki added. She said they take the children everywhere they can on their off time and generally avoid places they can't take their children. She credits healthy competition as part of balancing family, work and having fun. "When we wrestle around the house, play basketball, it's all about connecting as a family, prioritizing family above all else," said Rikki. "My family is what drives me; it takes constant coordination - who is picking up the kids, who is staying to work on a project - it's all about partnership." Ron said Rikki's outlook and endurance make her a strong wife, mother and Army officer. "Rikki is observant, open-minded and patient at work," said Ron. "As a mother, she is patient and loving, even when the kids or I are a pain in the foot, she is still loving." They both credit the Army for bringing them together and strengthening their partnership. "We speak a common language - some couples don't have that," said Rikki. "We can give advice and take advice and still balance work and family."