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!