FORT MEADE, Md. – April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, recognizing the resilience, courage, and sacrifice of military-connected youth. For Dr. James Cronkhite, 7th Signal Command (Theater)'s acting deputy to the commander and a retired U.S. Marine, this month carries personal significance as he reflects on the service of his daughter, U.S. Navy Sailor Aisha Merritt.

“When Aisha decided to serve, my wife Sylvia and I felt an overwhelming sense of pride,” said Cronkhite. “In a country where less than one percent of Americans choose to serve, her commitment to something greater than herself speaks volumes about her character and sense of duty.”

Aisha’s decision to join the Navy continues a long-standing tradition of naval service in the Cronkhite family. For Dr. Cronkhite, her enlistment honors and strengthens that legacy. “As a retired Marine, it means a lot to see our daughter carrying on naval traditions. It extends a generational chain of service devoted to God and country.”

As a combat veteran with multiple deployments, Cronkhite understands the emotional weight military parents carry when their children enter service.

“When she left for basic training, our first concern was for her safety,” he said. “Whether in a training environment or deployed setting, the risks are real, and that’s something we’ve experienced firsthand.”

Seeing Aisha in uniform shifted his perspective. “There’s a different kind of pride when you see your own child living the values you tried to instill,” he said. “Sylvia always said military service is something few truly understand until they watch their children become the people they were meant to be.”

Cronkhite credits his experience in both enlisted and officer roles with helping him support Aisha’s journey, but acknowledges the military has evolved since his service.

“Recruit training today is more modernized and team-focused,” he said. “It’s different from what I experienced in the early ’80s, and it’s helped shape Aisha into a leader in her own right. My background has given me a framework to coach and mentor her, especially during her deployments to Southwest Asia.”

Faith is central to how the Cronkhite family navigates the uncertainties of military life. “We rely on prayer and trust in our Heavenly Father,” Cronkhite said. “It gives us peace, even in difficult times.”

Sylvia shares in the emotional toll of her daughter’s service. “Every time Aisha talks about conflict or war, there’s an unspoken fear,” said Cronkhite. “Not knowing where her path may take her is a constant challenge.”

Despite the uncertainties, the family has found strength in the military community. From senior noncommissioned officers and mentors to family readiness programs and counseling services, Cronkhite praises the systems in place to support service members and their loved ones.

“Support programs have improved tremendously,” he said. “From post-deployment reintegration to career and financial counseling, the services have stepped up in meaningful ways.”

Growing up in a military household shaped Aisha’s approach to life and leadership. “We always emphasized that shortcuts don’t lead to real success,” Cronkhite said. “We taught our children to consider the second- and third-order effects of their decisions—and Aisha embodies that now in her service.”

That example of leadership extends beyond the Navy. “She lives by the belief that ‘it’s not about you,’” said Cronkhite. “She constantly looks for ways to serve others, whether that’s offering a hand, a kind word, or just being present for someone in need.”

The pride in Aisha’s service is shared across the family. “Her aunt tells everyone she meets that her niece is in the Navy,” he said. “It’s a badge of honor for all of us.”

When asked what advice he would offer to fellow military parents, Cronkhite answered without hesitation.

“Be flexible—our children may choose paths we wouldn’t, but they need our unwavering support," he said. That’s how we show them love.”

Cronkhite also emphasized what he believes the world needs to better understand about military children.

“The choice to serve is about more than wearing a uniform,” he said. “It’s rooted in servant leadership, selflessness, and a deep sense of community. Military service is about honor, duty, and commitment—not to self, but to others.”

As the Army celebrates the Month of the Military Child, stories like Aisha Merritt’s and families like the Cronkhites remind us that service is a family affair—one built on faith, legacy, and love.