While I was in law school, I wanted to join JAG, but in my last year, I found out I was pregnant—and all I wanted to do was to buy baby clothes. :) My GPA tanked after that. :)
Please tell your family member his or her service is appreciated, even by Americans living abroad. My two children were born in the States. My son was home sick on 9/11 this year; when they played the National Anthem on the t.v., I stood up, put my hand on my heart, and asked him, a 16-year old young man, to do the same. And he did. He will someday realize he was born in the best country in the world.
All the best,
Julie