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Military Life

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! 

Seeking Spouses for a Life Less Ordinary

Seeking Spouses for a Life Less Ordinary

by | Aug 9, 2020 | , ,

Author’s note: This post is dedicated to all the Army spouses who hesitate when someone asks the loaded, complicated question, “And what do you do?”

Those four little words can have a big impact on our psyche. It even prompted an Army wife in Great Britain to create an exhibit, “Not Just a Wife,” filled with creative art and testimonies from army spouses married to British service members.

“Not just a wife.”  Four more impactful words loaded with untapped emotion, frustration, and pride.

It triggered a thought wave for me about recruitment slogans and which ones (if any) would be effective in recruiting spouses to marry into the Army. Bear with me, I was alone in my car with nothing but my thoughts for about four days and I became obssessed rather quickly.

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Dear Mrs. Employment Gap: I’m Rejoining the Workforce

Dear Mrs. Employment Gap: I’m Rejoining the Workforce

by | Aug 7, 2020 | , , ,

Dear Mrs. Employment Gap:

Please accept this memo as notice of my resignation. I am no longer able to fulfill my duties as an uprooted professional.

During my time of service, I have gained much needed rest, downtime, and awareness. I’ve had the opportunity to further my skills of both patience and indifference. Thank you for your overall reprieve, which has led me to my greatest level of unaccountability in recent months.

While I appreciate this learning experience, I am happy to inform you that I must be moving on. At present, I have the wonderful opportunity of rejoining the workforce and am eager to accept my new daily habits, purpose, and routine.

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Be the Bright Side

Be the Bright Side

by | Jul 29, 2020 | , ,

Military life is hard enough, and plenty of us know that, but this season of life is particularly hard due to COVID restrictions.

It’s more difficult to make friends.

It’s more difficult for our children to find friends.

Many of us have already found out our kids will be doing virtual schooling in the fall, while others await a decision. 

And some of us are holding on to that last strand of sanity, preventing ourselves from falling apart simply because we have to keep on keepin’ on. 

This is how life goes, even though this might not feel like living. 

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You’re Invited: Military Protocol and Traditions Explained

You’re Invited: Military Protocol and Traditions Explained

by | Jul 23, 2020 | , , ,

“I cast my lot in with a Soldier, and where he was, was home to me.” — Martha Summerhayes, 1873, Army Spouse

Life with the Army, as you may know, is often exciting; yet it can be challenging and sometimes stressful. Even though Army spouses are busy with their families and careers, there will still be occasions when you will want to know the protocol and etiquette expected of everyone—for example: parades, changes of command, receptions, New Year’s receptions, balls, dining outs, coffees, and entertaining.

The Army Spouse Handbook, recently published, covers in depth all of those topics and more. It’s a 440-page paperback book that has been updated for the 21st century spouse.

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How Nomads Build Community

How Nomads Build Community

by | Jul 22, 2020 | , , ,

We are nomads. Not livestock-moving nomads (unless of course you count children and pets), but nomads nonetheless.

Dictionary.com defines a nomad as “a member of a people or tribe that has no permanent abode but moves about from place to place.” Sound familiar?  

We are certainly a tribe all our own. Regardless of service (Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard), we have common experiences with unique language and customs that seem strange at times to our civilian counterparts. With special customs only we understand, we’re like some unique culture in a world of normal.

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Milspouse Rebel: Mail Room Edition

Milspouse Rebel: Mail Room Edition

by | Jul 6, 2020 | , , , ,

Daring the skies to open up on me today was the most fun I have had checking the mail, possibly ever. I knew it was going to rain. Didn’t have to be a genius to figure that one out based on the sky and the fact that it’s the rainy season—ahem, rainy half of the year—here in Okinawa.

I stood in my closet and picked out appropriate clothing.

To check the mail?

Yes.

Is this girl really writing about checking the mail? Like there is something to say about that?

Yes. Yes, I am.

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