I think most of us, whether we’ve been a spouse for one year or 20, know how it feels to be powerless in our role of “dependent.” Sometimes it feels like we’re fighting an uphill battle in our day-to-day life as our spouse trains for and fights in real battles. Many of us know what it feels like to feel completely alone. Maybe you’ve wanted to change that. Maybe you’re tired of seeing spouses tear each other down when our circumstances often do that enough already. Instead, maybe you’re looking for ways to build each other up.

Here are some stepping stones that can lead to the empowerment of one another as military spouses: