For you desert shield vets: If you had a 25yo daughter from your time in the military that you didnt know about, would you want to know?

I met my dad when I was 18, product of a one night stand. I never asked for him to be like a dad, and he never asked for me to fill any roles he had preconceived. Overall we email a couple times a month and he sends cards during the holidays/birthdays. I did gain relatives from his side of the family that I am very close to and call all the time to talk. He is an alcoholic and a recluse. I definitely appreciate that he wasn't in my life as a child so I didn't have to deal with issues surrounding his mental health while growing up.

I would recommend doing it if you are willing to accept it could go south. And open to whatever feelings or emotions could arise from him, his family and your current family.

/r/army Thread