Oh… Military Life! This is likely what brought you to Mission: Milspouse in the first place. It is what binds the military community together with its wildly unique lifestyle.
Whether you are here to learn how to better live in this military life, how to support a loved one who is living the military lifestyle, or to see if this lifestyle is something you may like to be a part of, you have come to the right place.
Here at Mission: Milispouse the military lifestyle is what inspires us, drives our home lives, our moves, and our service member’s career, and gives us a camaraderie like no other. So welcome friend, take a seat and read more about all things that make us who we are and make the military lifestyle a life like no other!
Almost every day on one of the several military-focused websites, forums, and social media groups I belong to, I see mentions of how civilian family and friends “just don’t understand” military life. I’m pretty sure that at least once (and probably more!) in the years I’ve been married to my service members I’ve said the same thing.
In October, 2010, my family went through a change—a big one! My mother and father moved in with us.
My parents lived in a small town in the North Carolina mountains where my father ran his own business. He also took care of my mom, who is disabled due to degenerative bone disease. After struggling for two years to keep his small business above water, the bottom finally fell out from under him, and my parents lost their business and their home.
On July 28, 2006, I got the call that my husband was severely injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He was six weeks from coming home after being stop-lossed for his second deployment to Iraq. We spent 20 months rehabilitating and medically boarding at Walter Reed.
So you’ve had the first two major discussions, and now we look at the art of staying connected with your loved ones while apart and helping your child(ren) cope. Let’s get started.
Some soldiers we know that are in basic training are getting mail from families and friends upwards of two weeks from origination. They don’t receive mail for over a week or more, and then they suddenly receive almost a dozen letters in one day. There is not a lag of process, but more like a buildup. Imagine what a soldier goes through wondering why their spouse hasn’t written—it can make a soldier crazy while trying to train. I hope that you can help.
I got scripted excuses, and I understand that because of the questions. However, I prefer a solution rather than something we are supposed to live with. It’s important that our new recruits focus on training and morale rather than the stress of wondering why a simple letter of support cannot get through. I hope you can pass this along or help to solve the problem!
Molly; Castle Rock, CO; Army family of more than 20 years
You haven’t even left yet, so it may seem strange to think about leave. Lots of emotions can come into play at the last minute, so having this discussion before you leave will let you all consider the practical aspects.
Mission: Milspouse is a
501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
EIN Number: 88-1604492
hello@missionmilspouse.org
P.O. Box 641341
El Paso, TX 79904