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KUWAIT (March 16, 2009) - Builder
Constructionman, Seaman Eric E. Kraninger, Naval Mobile
Construction Battalion 11 out of Gulfport, Miss., shrugs and smiles
through the constant teasing by his fellow Seabees.
They know his father is the highest ranking enlisted leader of
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, Seabee Combat Warfare
Specialist, Command Master Chief Mark E. Kraninger out of Port
Hueneme, Calif.
"With a name like Kraninger, people make the connection, and if
they don't, they ask," joked Mark.
Although the Kraningers are in different battalions stationed on
opposite sides of the U.S., for a few short days they briefly
crossed paths in the Kuwaiti desert. Granted, father and son only
had a few spare minutes here and there to see each other,
nonetheless they made the best of it.
"Mostly we just hung out and talked," said Eric.
Mark keeps a respectful distance while in uniform to let his son
learn to deal with challenges like any other Seabee.
"I try to keep a hands-off approach," said Mark. "I stay out of
his business, but I listen to him like any dad would in this
situation. We're professionals, so we do our jobs, but when we're
off duty we talk about things."
Construction is seemingly in the Kraninger's blood. Eric spent a
few summers working for his grandfather who is a general contractor
in Nora Springs, Iowa. Still, the idea of becoming a Seabee wasn't
originally part of his plans. In fact it was quite the
opposite.
"At first I said I'm never going to join the military, but about
half way through my senior year of high school I started to think
about it," said Eric.
True to form, Mark let his son make his own decision, but gave
him the tools to make the best decision for him.
"Eric knew a lot of what I went through with the deployments I
made and how tough it can be," said Mark. "I had a few other
Seabees sit down with him and give him their perspectives on each
rate in the Seabees so Eric would have other opinions of what he
might expect."
Ultimately, Eric joined the Navy as a builder and as a surprise
during "A" school graduation, Mark took off the "Navy" issued ball
cap and replaced it with his Navy cover. Eric then joined his new
Seabee shipmates in Gulf Port, Miss., and his father returned to
his unit in Port Hueneme, Calif.
While spending this past Christmas together, the Kraningers
discovered they were both being deployed. Until just a few days
ago, they had no idea they would be in the same camp at the same
time. Eric was not absolutely sure that his dad was actually
coming, so he was doing what many motivated Seabees do in their
spare time; Eric was in the gym working out when his father found
him to personally deliver the surprise.
Mark was touring the camp with the Battalion Commanding Officer,
when he saw his son. Not missing a beat, the tough Seabee Master
Chief demanded to know, "Where's your [Seabee Combat Warfare
Specialist] pin?" The Kraningers shook hands while the young Seabee
tried to give his dad the Master Chief a good explanation as to why
he had not earned the pin yet.
Mark came to the desert armed with a care package and all of the
questions his wife wanted answered. How is he? Does he look good?
What does he need? The "fatherly" side of Mark said "Eric was
fine," while the "military" side said "Their son would have to make
his own way."
His advice to his son from the beginning had been simple. "I
told him to do what's asked of you, keep yourself squared away, and
know your job," said Mark.
Mark will transfer to Afghanistan for six months while Eric
remains in Kuwait. He's not sure when he will see his dad again,
but knows he's lucky to see part of his family.
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