Married couples who are both active-duty military personnel know what it means to walk a mile in their partners’ shoes. Or perhaps a better word would be “boots.”

Kevin and Natalia Palumbo have been married 10 years and have two sons. Now they have one more thing in common: deployment. Currently in Kuwait, 1st Lieutenant Natalia Palumbo is an operations officer and public affairs officer for the 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

Sergeant 1st Class Kevin Palumbo is the assistant operations non-commissioned officer in charge in the U.S. Army Operational Test Command’s G-3. His last deployment was with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in 2009. Trading places with his wife to play Mr. Mom has proven to have its own unique challenges.

“I freely admit that one of the toughest assignments I’ve had is caring for Anthony (nine years) and Sebastian (17 months) by myself in the few short months Natalia has been deployed,” he said. “We stay connected through e-mails, letters and phone conversations, but it’s not the same for the boys as having mom here.

“And it’s not the same for me either,” he admitted.

The 553rd CSSB, also known as the Leopard Battalion, keeps Natalia busy.

“Our mission is to provide logistical support to the Iraqi theater of operations and ensure the responsible drawdown of Soldiers and equipment,” she said. “Our intent is to be the best stewards possible of taxpayers’ dollars, minimizing waste and capitalizing on sound management principles.”

This is the first opportunity Natalia’s had to serve as a PAO. “I’m finding it challenging, yet rewarding,” she said.

According to Natalia, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation provides music concerts, movies, video games, a pool room, internet café and a lounge where Soldiers can go to unwind.

“We also have two physical fitness centers with a swimming pool, tennis court, racquetball court and football field,” she said. “Additionally, we have an education center that offers distance learning programs so Soldiers can get college courses out of the way.

“It’s not like we don’t have enough to do, both with work and leisure time,” Natalia said. “It’s just that nothing truly fills the void of being away from your family.

“The e-mails, letters and phone calls help,” she said, “but I certainly am looking forward to my two weeks of R and R this summer.”

Meanwhile, back at the house, Kevin, Anthony and Sebastian are doing their best to keep mom’s morale high.

“The boys work hand in hand with me to write Natalia every week and send frequent care packages,” Kevin said. “We don’t intend to let long distance get in the way of the Palumbo family staying strong and committed to our future together.”