Tag: military child
#PeopleOfPrecise: Meet McKenna Pittman
Some stories are shaped by where you go. Others are shaped by those who show up—even when it’s hard.
For McKenna Pittman, it was both.
April is nationally recognized as the Month of the Military Child—a time to recognize the incredible strength, resilience, and everyday sacrifices of military children who stand beside those who serve. Today, we’re proud to spotlight one of our very own.
Growing up as the daughter of a U.S. Army service member, McKenna learned early what sacrifice looks like. With a father who served for 32 years, there were missed birthdays, school events, and everyday moments—but never a question of love or commitment.
Even as a young child, she felt the weight of that sacrifice. At just two years old, after her father deployed to Kuwait, she asked a simple question: “Did Dad go bye-bye?”
What followed were letters—small, heartfelt reminders that distance didn’t change connection.
At home, her mother became the constant.
Holding everything together, supporting McKenna and her sibling through every practice, performance, and milestone—her mother’s strength defined what resilience looked like day in and day out.
“People often overlook the sacrifices military spouses make,” McKenna shares. “My mom was my biggest cheerleader—and whenever he could be, my dad was right there beside her.”
That foundation shaped more than memories—it shaped mindset.
Through years of relocating across the country, McKenna grew up navigating change: new places, new people, new environments. And through it all, she learned how to adapt quickly and grow through it.
Today, that adaptability shows up in everything she does. Grounded in grit, determination, and respect, McKenna approaches her work with purpose—and a deep understanding of the mission behind it.
Because for her, supporting warfighters and their families isn’t just meaningful—it’s personal.
“Our nation’s warfighters make daily sacrifices to keep us safe,” she says. “Being part of something that supports them and their families means everything.”
Her story is a powerful reminder: service doesn’t just belong to those in uniform—it lives in the families who stand behind them.
And when asked what she would tell other military children, her answer is simple:
Write the letter.
Send the message.
Show your support.
Because even the smallest moments of connection can carry the greatest impact.
Thank you to McKenna and all of our nation’s military children for the service, strength, and support you bring to our warfighters. We see you and we salute you—today and every day!
#PeopleOfPrecise: Meet Lauryn Paradis
Meet Lauryn Paradis – Engagement Specialist, former military child, and Precise Systems’ employee spotlight for April 2025.
Lauryn has been part of our Precise Engagement team for just over two years, but before that, she has supported our corporate teams in different capacities since she was 16 years old. Prior to her joining our organization, she grew up as a military child. Her father had served active duty in the U.S. Navy from before she was born to just before she started high school.
Being a military child has been central to Lauryn’s life, as it has developed so much of who she is today. She says, “Being a military child means a lot of sacrifice and grit, and that you will face some unique difficulties growing up, especially if you have a parent who deploys often, but you will come out on the other side and see just how strong those experiences have made you. It is not easy, but it is always worth it.”
There are many important life and career skills to be gained as a military child, some of which include adaptability and resiliency. Precise is a place where Lauryn feels her unique skills are not only appreciated but are grown and given the chance to thrive in such a fast-paced environment. Lauryn explains, “Whether you are supporting a military family or supporting our Precise team, you remember that you’re not just here for you; you’re here to support the mission, however that calls you.”
Although military life did bring its challenges, there are many fond memories she has from her time as a military child. One of her best memories is when her dad surprised her and her little brother, Connor, by unexpectedly visiting home during one of his overseas deployments. Lauryn and Connor had spent the night with their grandparents, but when their mom came to pick them up in the morning, their dad was hiding in the back of the car waiting to see them and wrap them in a big hug!
Many young children are currently experiencing at least one or more parent’s deployment, or a difficult move away from their friends and hometown. When asked what advice she would give these children, she says that finding ways to cherish time with family is incredibly important. Lauryn and her family had small traditions that would get them through deployments and moves, such as nightly Skype calls with her dad or learning about their new towns together as a family. Although these are little things, those will remind you that your family were the ones that were by your side the whole way through.
Today, Lauryn still holds a deep and innate respect for our nation, and for those who commit their lives to defending our freedoms. But now, she gets to celebrate that passion in a different way – “Blue and gold runs deep in my veins and getting the chance to attend the historic Army/Navy football game in-person is such a once-in-a-lifetime experience – especially when Navy sings second! Go Navy, Beat Army!”
Thank you to Lauryn and all military children who support our warfighters in often unseen ways. We are grateful for your service to our country and our organization at large. We are proud to have you, Lauryn!
#PeopleOfPrecise: Meet Billy White
Meet Billy White – Senior Program Analyst, Air Force veteran, and Precise Systems’ Employee Spotlight for April 2024.
Through his role as a Senior Program Analyst for the Tomahawk Weapons System, Billy supports our nation’s warfighters by daily helping develop new capabilities to meet the needs of the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps combatant commanders.
Being part of our nation’s military has been a constant in Billy’s life, as he comes from a familial history of service. Both of his grandfathers served in World War II, and his own father served in the United States Air Force. Growing up as a military child and having to move every few years taught Billy how to adapt to ever-changing environments – a skill he has taken with him all throughout his life.
Despite the challenges he faced as a military child, there were many happy moments that came with this unique lifestyle. One of Billy’s fondest memories is when his dad would go on temporary duty (TDY), he would always bring home a matchbox car for him. These meaningful gifts would make his father’s absence easier and provided a way to keep him close, even if he was far away.
Several years later, Billy was in his post-college career, and he just knew that this was not the path for him. He made the courageous decision to reset and follow in his father’s footsteps by joining the Air Force. His own military career spanned more than 20 years, and we are grateful he has brought his technical expertise and passion to serve to our Team. When he was ready to begin his civilian career, we were ready to provide an opportunity to transition his skills and create a pathway for him to succeed.
Billy loves to seek adventure outside of the office! When asked what the top three items are on his bucket list, he says, “Tour across Europe, watch the Boston Celtics compete in a playoff game at TD Garden, and fly an airplane.” We cannot wait to see all of these dreams come to fruition!
We want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to Billy for the contributions he makes daily to making our organization better, but also for his service as a military child and veteran. It takes a special kind of person to live such a courageous life, and Billy inspires us every day. We are incredibly grateful to have him as part of our Precise Team!