Fast fact: Our blog will publish it’s 3000th (yes, you read that right!) blog post in 2023. All of the content is brought to you by empowered experience volunteer bloggers and insightful expert bloggers. You name a topic that a military spouse or organization could write about, we’ve probably got it. Current topics include PCS, deployment, parenting, finances, solidarity, humor, milspouse experiences, expert advice, and more. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can always join us as a blogger to share your story!
Wondering what is in the news? Here’s a collection of news snippets for the week of Oct. 28.
TRICARE OPEN SEASON: Nov. 11 through Dec. 9, 2019
PROPOSALS SOUGHT FOR $2 BILLION MOVING CONTRACT
ARMY SENIOR LEADERS TO IMPROVE PRIVATIZED HOUSING
FIRST ENLISTED SOLDIER TO MAX NEW FITNESS TEST
JUST FOR FUN: HALLOWEEN HAUNTS
Exciting. Unpredictable. Challenging. Rewarding.
Ah, yes. The life of a milspouse. This lifestyle easily encompasses the above list of words…and then some.
Another word I would add to describe the military spouse life is “educational.” In my ten plus years of loving my infantryman, I have learned a lot, like how to always write important dates or “plans” in pencil. And to never forget to check his uniform pockets for those sneaky ink pens before starting a load of laundry. Oh, and I’ve learned the power of “ish” when it comes to sharing any kind of time hacks about, well, anything.
For those just entering military life, either as a spouse or significant other of a service member, it can be overwhelming. There are so many things we need to learn, sometimes quickly, and it’s shocking when the military tells us where we’re moving. We get comfortable in a location, but then we move on. We must find ways to adapt and overcome the obstacles.
But as I often say in my writing, remember that there is a “you” here, even when you have to quit your job and move to a new location to potentially start over. Again.
While it doesn’t get easier saying good bye and uprooting once every two or three years or fitting ourselves into military life, we can certainly get better at coping with it. One of the best ways is by empowering ourselves in this military life.
We hear the word “empowerment” a lot—almost as much as we hear “resilience”—and sometimes, the meaning gets lost in the repetitive use of these words. Although it has become a buzzword, because it’s important.
We’d just arrived at my husband’s new duty station, and my time was filled with getting kids settled into routines, figuring out housing, and completing all the miscellaneous, time-consuming tasks that go along with an overseas move. When our days in temporary lodging stretched into weeks, I decided to fill some of my empty hours with finishing an online editing course I’d put off. It ended up breathing new life into the remote work I’d started a couple years earlier, and I was happily surprised to have new jobs lined up before we even moved into our house.
It’s not always that seamless.
It was a dark and stormy night…
It had been a long day, and I was grateful the kids were finally in bed. Hubs was gone to the field and not due home for a couple more days. I sat on the couch in the dark, regretting my bad life decision to finish the last of my suspense novel when home alone. I mean, it wasn’t that scary, but between the unexpected ending, the lightning cracking outside in the fall thunderstorm just a few days before Halloween…I was a bit jumpy.
Suddenly, I heard a dull roaring sound. Did I lock all the doors? I know I did…but maybe I should double check.
Before I could check the locks, I heard footsteps. Oh man…I’m not making this up!
Transitioning into a post-military life is full of emotions for both service members and their families. Leaving behind a position surrounded by so much purpose and camaraderie can leave you feeling lost or out of place. It can be overwhelming and daunting to start afresh in a completely new environment. It can be discouraging as you face difficulties, especially if they are financial.
Luckily, regardless of the stress that comes with such a big life transition, there are many resources that can help make that change easier. One such resource is Hope For The Warriors’ new military-centered job search program: Warrior’s Compass.
Mission: Milspouse is a
501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
EIN Number: 88-1604492
hello@missionmilspouse.org
P.O. Box 641341
El Paso, TX 79904