UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Tryzbiak family traveled nine hours from Fort Knox, Kentucky, to attend the 2023 Penn State Military Appreciation football game on Oct. 28. Spouses Craig and Brittany are Penn State graduates and returned to Happy Valley with their three children, Ella, Ian and Annora (Annie) to be recognized for their service as a military family.
Craig and Brittany graduated and commissioned from Penn State in 2009. Craig earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in political science, while Brittany earned a bachelor’s degree in crime, law and justice. They both had a desire to serve others, which led to their decision to join the military. Craig felt called after the events of Sept. 11 and Brittany made the decision after taking a humanitarian trip out of the country as a teenager.
“I realized the importance of supporting people who don’t have the same privileges that we have in the U.S. I wanted to be a part of that support,” Brittany said.
They both spent the first four years in the U.S. Army, including a combat deployment for each of them.
The couple said it was difficult at times while serving simultaneously. Craig noted that their time together was limited due to military schools, trainings and deployments. Brittany said the unknown was stressful, a feeling many military family members experience.
Brittany left the Army as a captain after four years and is now a licensed master social worker working as a care navigator and infertility specialist. Craig is in his 14th year of service, now a major. He works as an executive officer for a battalion, partnering with U.S. Army reserve units to maintain unit readiness and prepare for worldwide deployments.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with really great people,” Craig said. “This career has given me a sense of purpose. Experiencing other cultures has been enriching and fulfilling.”
Brittany too is grateful for the opportunities and relationships she’s forged because of living the military family lifestyle.
“The thing I have cherished the most are the people I’ve met,” she said. “There are so many amazing military spouses I’ve bonded with who have been there for the good and the bad. I am forever grateful I’ve met them.”
Raising children while serving in the military
In their Military Family Profile submission, Brittany shared the struggles and joys of moving together as a military family. Their children have lived in four different states and moved six times.
“Sure, it hasn’t been easy to leave the comforts of what we know, but the adventure is worth it. I am so proud of our kids for their resilience,” she said. “They pick their entire lives up and plant new roots wherever we go. They meet constant change with enthusiasm and a sense of hope.”
With each move comes a new opportunity to make friends and see new places, according to the Tryzbiak children.
Ian said he sometimes feels bad that his friends whose parents are civilians don’t have the same experiences his family does. Ella said she likes seeing all the different types of wildlife in each state where they live or travel. Youngest daughter, Annie, is only 4 years old, and her favorite part of being in a military family is “giving people hugs.”