Christina Gordley is a mother of five, works hard at her job as a senior policy analyst for The Council of State Governments and does it all while her husband, William Gordley, is deployed with the Army National Guard, where he serves as a sergeant first class working in communications and signal support systems. In other words, she’s a superhero.
William has served in the Army for 17 years. This is the family’s third deployment, and Christina says she’s learned how to ask for help when she needs it.
“You have to try and make your needs known, and that is not always easy,” she said. “I have to rely on my friends and family, and right now I have a supportive work environment that’s helpful to provide flexibility and support when needed. You have to realize you can’t juggle it all.”
Christina said she often moves into survival mode, which is not always the same as thriving.
“The kids understand that they have a different challenge than most of their classmates,” she said said, pointing to the difference between National Guard families and those families living on a military base.
“You kind of feel like an island sometimes,” she said. “It can be overwhelming at times.”
Christina wants people to understand that a deployed spouse is not simply a spouse traveling for work. For instance, she always answers when her husband calls because if she misses the call, it might not come again for days. She said that can sometimes be an interruption at work or at social activities. “When you want to talk to somebody, they are not always there,” she said.
For Christina’s family, Veterans Day takes on a special meaning.
“For our children, they are normally in school and the school recognizes them,” she said. “They have a sense of pride in their father and the role they play in service to the country.”
Christina says it’s a chance to smile and talk about her spouse, and she’s especially thankful for her role at CSG on Veterans Day.
“What is helpful is having a supportive work environment that CSG provides,” she said.