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!
Having a mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, can be accompanied by a host of stigmas that have slowly been accepted by society as more and more individuals are diagnosed. While I’m not saying that having a mental illness is easy, I’m saying having depression and anxiety is slowly becoming accepted in society as part of life.
Army spouses are a special breed. We have endured since the beginning of our Army and served our nation, the military, and families well. Today, many units and Army balls celebrate with the tradition of a grog ceremony as they herald their history. We thought it appropriate to create a “punch bowl/grog ceremony” to celebrate the course of our spouse history.
Sometimes, I enjoy the simplicity of staying in a tiny place, whether it’s a guest room in a family home while on R&R, a calling a hotel home while traveling, or a temporary lodging facility (TLF) on an installation during the transition of a PCS. Maybe it’s even a cramped apartment while stationed overseas. Sure, it can be a challenge as family members trip over each other while getting ready in the morning, or figuring out sleeping arrangements, or having six family members share one bathroom.
But, I also appreciate how small spaces can actually tend to alleviate a little stress.
The holidays can be a magical time as the world around us seems to feel wrapped in joy and wonder. For many, though, there will be an undeniable void in their homes and hearts this holiday season as military loved ones are fulfilling deployment orders around the world.
At any given time, there are more than 150,000 troops deployed in territories outside of the U.S. Family members left behind struggle to manage the home, finances, and children. Many military families live away from their hometowns or where family may reside, making travel the only option to spend time with family and friends during the holiday season.
This month, Military Family Appreciation Month, as we honor those who served (both past and present) as well as military families, I’ve also been thinking a lot about the caregivers.
Caregivers are there in times of celebration, tribulation, and all of the beautiful moments in between. Today, there are 5.5 million people in the United States caring for aging, injured, or wounded veterans. And 1.1 million people provide care for post-9/11 veterans. Nearly a third of these caregivers are under the age of 30.
This year will be the 16th Thanksgiving my husband and I have been married and the eighth one we’ve had to celebrate separately because of geographic separation. While our sons and I look forward to spending Thanksgiving in Dallas with dear friends while my husband is deployed, it reminds me of how our military lifestyle has shaped and molded us into what spending the holidays together looks like for military families. You make the most of whatever situation you’re in at the moment!
Mission: Milspouse is a
501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
EIN Number: 88-1604492
hello@missionmilspouse.org
P.O. Box 641341
El Paso, TX 79904