The Navy provides various opportunities for people from all walks of life. For some Sailors, the opportunities are to benefit themselves. On the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike), Quartermaster 3rd Class Angelle Dusang works to also provide more for her son.

Dusang, a native of New Orleans, has served in the Navy for four years. She and her husband, Michael, who is currently stationed in San Diego, welcomed their son, Mathias, on Feb. 25, 2015. While she enjoys the Navy and is grateful for the opportunities serving has afforded, she said balancing her career with the responsibilities of being a mother brings a unique set of challenges.

"It's challenging being a mom in the Navy. I miss my son all the time," Dusang said. "At the same time, it's rewarding because I know I'm helping take care of him. Financially, medically, whatever he needs, I know he'll be covered and I'm thankful for it all."

One of the challenges she faces being a mom in the Navy is that she does not always get to see her son and be there for him as much as she would like. However, even through those challenges, she enjoys the moments they have together and has gained an appreciating for maximizing that time.

"Obviously, you miss out on a lot being out to sea," Dusang said. "My son can't be here, but it makes the time that I do get to spend with him all the more special. For example, when we got back home from deployment, it had been all those months since I had seen him. The only interaction we had during that time was Skype or pictures. That was it. So when I went home after deployment, I had these expectations that it would be some kind of fairy tale moment. It wasn't, though, and that's the reality of not having been there. Nevertheless, the feelings of finally seeing him again were just magical."

Dusang's son currently lives with her mother, but that will soon change, bringing a whole new opportunity for both of them.

"When the ship goes back into the yards, my son will be living with me," she said. "It's going to be a challenge for both of us, but I know that I'm going to love it."

She looks forward to being able to be with her son more, and said that as they get to know each other again, it will make her relationship with him more special.

"When he lives with me again, we're basically going to be learning all about each other. So I'll be watching him, figuring him out, discovering what he likes, and that's a great opportunity that I'm looking forward to happening soon."

While she waits for that day to come, Dusang and her son have other ways to see each other.

"For the most part, I see my son through Skype and talk to him on the phone," Dusang said. "He's only 2 years old, so I think he's too young to really realize when we do, but it definitely helps me. "

When the day finally does come and Dusang is living with her son again, she said she just wants to show him that she loves him.

"I want him to know that I'm his mother and I love him," said Dusang. "He's already talking and walking, so I know he's growing up. In that time I just want to make sure to develop a relationship. Even though I'm gone, I'm out here doing my best for him. I know he won't realize that right now, but I hope one day down the road he knows it."

Ike and its carrier strike group are underway conducting a sustainment exercise in support of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP).

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