Before moving to the DMV, dad and military spouse Nathan Driggers lived with his wife, Kathryn, in Japan while working as a civil engineer for the Department of Defense for three years. Their son, Tyler, was born during that time, and when Kathryn joined the Navy to go to medical school, the family of three found themselves in Bethesda.
Now a licensed real estate agent, Nathan specializes in helping military families buy and sell homes. Nathan and Kathryn Driggers, and their children, Tyler (11) and Ellie (8), are outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy bike riding, rock climbing and hiking.
What’s it like being a male military spouse?
It’s … a challenge because you’re not surrounded by other dudes. You’re surrounded by mostly women at most events and get-togethers. But also we have it easy sometimes because we get credit for doing less. Most of the military spouses I hang with are similar. Their spouses are working as doctors, as residents at med school, so we’re all in it together, which is extremely helpful.
How did you end up in real estate with a background in civil engineering?
[When] we came stateside in 2015, I decided that I was just going to be a stay-at-home dad until I figured things out. It didn’t go well. Tyler and I had a great time, but I found out I was a little too into the top row of the dishwasher — I was a little too worried about how my meals tasted and very upset when I didn’t get the [appreciation] for taking care of the house. I needed something else to distract me.
We were told that the Navy can either do things to you or for you. I took that as an opportunity to find my own career. So, I worked in construction as a construction manager and then joined with one of our clients in residential real estate. It’s just an amazing experience that would never have happened otherwise.
How does working in real estate help you with your work/family balance?
I think I’m very lucky to [have found] a career that matches my abilities. Some people say they join real estate for the flexibility, and there is some flexibility, but you pay for it when you’re up late doing things … I think I’m just lucky to [have found] a career where I can be at school to volunteer, I can go on field trips and I can take the kids on adventures.
Your wife is in her final year of training at Walter Reed and an active-duty member of the Navy. How do you manage to find a balance as a family?
[A few years ago], I really got into CrossFit. My wife was right in the middle of her residency, and she was working 80 hours a week. I was working 60 hours a week, but we started doing a family CrossFit event every Sunday. We got together and did a workout with a coach. And now we … actually invite other families … It became something we could talk about as a family and something we could do as a family.
Family Favorites
Local Restaurant: Frankly…Pizza! (Name of restaurant in Kensington, MD)
Favorite Meal: Burgers on the grill
Family Activity: Rock climbing
Vacation Spot: Montana
Favorite Games: Exploding Kittens, puzzles
