An Army spouse blogger in Vermont has gotten the military blogging community in a hot tizzy after writing a post stating that, her in opinion, Army National Guardsmen are not “by any stretch of the imagination” really Soldiers, and Army National Guard wives are not really Army wives.
Her reasoning, in a nut shell, is this: Active Duty Soldiers deploy, come home, put back on their uniforms, return to an Active Duty life. But National Guardsmen come home, take off their uniforms, go back to civilian life. Yes, they drill on a regular schedule, but that doesn’t make them day in and out Soldiers. Yes, Guardsmen suffer from PTSD issues … but so do a lot of civilians from a lot of non-combat related issues.
And if Guardsmen aren’t really Soldiers, their spouses aren’t Army wives, she says.
Feb. 10 Update: The commander of her husband, who she refers to as “Hubs,” has issued a public apology for “Hub’s” comment in defense of his wife’s position. Go here for all the details.
Her husband, who she married in August (according to her blog), has deployed twice in the past and is currently a recruiter based out of Vermont. It is the Vermont National Guard spouses, in particular, that she is taking issue with. She indicates that she is in the dark as to why Guard spouses get so upset about this characterization. In her words: “When you try to explain this to a Guard spouse, they get defensive, and often times throw a huge fit. ”
From the post:
The Vermont National Guard is just that, they are State Militia. The Hubs is a federal soldier. The National Guard spouses around here like to refer to themselves as ‘Army Wives’. They aren’t. I respect their significant others for the things that they do, but they are not, by any stretch of the imagination, soldiers.
And:
I agree, your husband got deployed, just like mine, but when he came home, he knew he wouldn’t get deployed again for at least another four years, in which time he probably wouldn’t have re-upped his contract. When my husband got home, he knew he could turn around and get deployed again. Period.
She also accuses Army Guard spouses of a series of Army wife “rule” infractions, including disgracing their husbands’ uniforms by taking “sexy” photos in them, failing to respect higher ranking Guardsmen by not dressing up when they meet them or using “proper” greetings, and participating in public affection displays while their husband is in uniform.
Go read the entirety of AirborneWife814’s post over at her blog “Army Wife, Army Life” for yourself. Don’t bother to try commenting there — given the amount of drama her statements have caused, she was smart to close her comments.
Update: After making major edits to her statements Feb. 10, the author appears to have completely killed her blog site.
We don’t know much about this blogger’s background, but I see from her blog that she has only been married to her spouse since August. She does not live on or near an Active Duty base. She probably does not associate with Active Duty spouses very often. Unless it was as a girlfriend, she did not face deployment with her now spouse.
While I truly do respect her right to write whatever she wants on her own blog (FirstAmendment, all the way!), I, like most of the spouse community talking about this on Facebook, disagree with her statements. And here’s why – point by point:
She says: Guardsmen and their spouses are not really “Soldiers” and “Army wives” because they return to civilian life when they get home from deployment, and, when they return, won’t deploy for another four years.
I say: Wrong – or at least partially. While the stated DoD policy is that they only deploy once every four years, often specialty companies or those with high demand skill sets within a given Guard unit will deploy alone. And if a Guardsmen switches to another unit within the same state or elsewhere for promotion opportunities, for example, he will deploy with their new unit before that four year window is up.
In short, just like the “stated policy” for active duty units is currently a nine-month deployment to two years at home, there are always lots of exceptions.
She says: Guardsmen only go to drill one weekend a month, two weekends a year. Therefore they are not full time Soldiers and, therefore, their spouses are not really “Army wives.”
I say: Wrong again. This used to be the case for Guard units, back in the old days when no one was supporting missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since that time units have been mobilized for up to 24 months at a time, requiring a far greater time commitment to training than this “two weekends a year” business.
She says: So what if Guardsmen get PTSD? So do a lot of civilians for non-combat related issues.
I say: Huh? She’s right – PTSD is a problem associated with a lot of traumatic events. But she’s missing the point of the injury – it’s not the PTSD that’s deserving of respect, it’s how it was acquired. The spouses of wounded warriors whose “only” injury is severe mental or psychological trauma will tell you that their lives are altered thanks to service of their country in ways that may far exceed most physical injuries.
And I continue to feel: What is most distasteful about her points is that they demonstrate a complete lack of understanding or ignorance of the lifestyle and potential hardships the spouses of Guardsmen must face.
For example, as an Active Duty spouse myself, I am grateful for the level of predictability I have knowing that my husband will deploy, and likely in a fairly regular pattern. Guard spouses don’t have that benefit. Instead they get to balance between two worlds – civilian and Army – and wake-up one morning to learn that their husband has to leave his safe job at the bank, yet again, for time downrange. At least I know that my husband will definitely deploy again, and probably soon.
Guard (and Reserve) spouses face the same lack of support and benefits shared by those active duty spouses who decide to move home, far away from bases, during deployments – only theirs’ is achieved by staying where they started, not by going somewhere new. All the things that I rely on to get my through a deployment with a shred of sanity, like camaraderie with other deployed spouses, childcare support on base and those fantastic, sponsored nights out, are by and large not available to the Guard. And many Guard wives live not only far away from bases where those amenities would be available, but far away from other Guard spouses who can understand their pain.
I wouldn’t say Guard spouses have it better than Active duty ones – but I know that we at the very least are on equal footing in this thing.
As for her list of reasons Guard wives are less respectful than active duty spouses, let me leave it at this: clearly she has not spent a lot of time around active duty spouses, or she would realize that all of these are common “infractions” in every military community, active duty Army or otherwise.
Conclusion: Sometimes spouses do dumb things, and sometimes those things make them look disrespectful or clueless to both the weight of military service and the burden of the home front. I’d call the post that sparked this discussion “case in point.”
About Amy Bushatz
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She also completely ignores the fact that there are full-time Guardsmen (and women) that serve as Technicians or AGR who work just as many hours (sometimes more) in the military as AD.
Overall, it disgusts me that she feels the need to rank military members in their wives in some sort of effort to make herself seem superior to those "lesser" Guard wives/soldiers. Also, the fact that she uses "Army Wife" as some sort of special title that's earned only by those that fit her requirements is blatently ridiculous. You don't get to put yourself on a pedestal and act like you deserve to have your feet kissed just because you said "I do" to someone in a uniform. Respect is earned, not just given out based on who you chose to marry….which is an issue I have with many mlitary wives, not just her.
She's probably ignoring that fact because she DOESN'T KNOW…because she's only known her husband since late 2010, and has only been married to him for six months. :) She's in for a world of change when her husband's recruiting duty is up…
"Also, the fact that she uses "Army Wife" as some sort of special title that's earned only by those that fit her requirements is blatently ridiculous. You don't get to put yourself on a pedestal and act like you deserve to have your feet kissed just because you said "I do" to someone in a uniform."
This x1000. Women who think they're super speshul snowflakes because their husband wears a military uniform are immature and insufferable, to put it kindly.
I love what you wrote. My boyfriend is full time in the National Guard and this past week, he has wore the UNIFORM 7 days in a row because he has drill this weekend. I am a prior military wife and will someday be a military wife again. Im damn proud of my SOLDIER and for every man and woman out there that serves and for the spouses and girlfriends and the children. We all play a part when it comes to the life of military.
as a deployed soldier im gonna state my opinion i do agree with her about national guard spouse arnt really military spouses because my wife has been through 2 deployments in 3 years when i get back national guard only deploy for nine months end of story and they dont deploy for 4 years between deployments end of story straight to the point
WRONG! My husband returned from Stan in Nov 2010 by June of 2011 we'd gotten the word that he would be leaving again in 2012 and that his deployment would not be getting R&R on this deployment. Yes, they are not in country for the full 12 months but they are away from their families receiving training for those full 12 months. Is their service, their pain, their loss or their lives less meaningful than yours. You should be ashamed of yourself. My husband was active duty for 8 years before going guard and has talked repeatedly about going back to AD for many reasons. I hate to say it would be easier for fear of backlash but he personally based on his own list of pros and cons felt that the AD life had its benefits over the balancing act required of guard life.
What do you know about being a guard/reserve serivce member or the spouse/family member of one?
Does a guard/reserve spouse not worry as much as an AD spouse does for the bullet, IED, or otherwise that will maime, kill, alter forever their life? Maybe you can tell me about all that great support that is available to guard/reserve wives if any…..many times 100+ miles away? How about easy access to the base PX…many times 100+ miles away? How about the kids who go to school and none of their classmates can relate?
When a guard/reserve member comes in and saves your a- – and takes the bullet instead of you maybe you would like to drop by the spouse’s house and tell them yourself they were not a real “Army (fill in other branch) Spouse”. Better yet, drop by the services and tell all the loved ones he/she not as much of a soldier as you and thus the pain they are feeling does not equal that of those on AD.
You are from from the point!!! My husband has deployed with the Guard 3 times in the last 9 years. The first deployment in Iraq he was in country for 13 months, but away from home for 15 months, 13 months later, he got deployed to Afghanistan, there he was in country for 12 months,(AND NO 2 WEEK LEAVE) again, away from home longer totaling 14 months… THEN, 7 months later, Orders are issued, off to Afghanistan for deployment #3, he was in country for 12 months and with No Leave again….Also, he is a technician, so he works on base for the Guard all year long….He was active Army for 4 years and only deployed once to Kosovo? So you, just like the ignorant spouse may want to get your facts straight before you start posting your lack of knowledge and making yourself look like an idiot!
I call BS. I deployed to Iraq with 4500 members of the 34th infantry division, we did 16 months in country, I believe it’s still the single longest tour of the war. I personally was deployed for 46 months in a 53 month period. AD wives usually have a great support system on base and with the other wives of their unit. NG wives are usually spread out over 100′s of miles and support groups are few unless you are lucky enough to live next to a base. Get off your high horse all soldiers pass the same standards to join and stay in, and any spouse feels the trauma of a deployment.
I know I'm late as heck, but thank you for responding to this. My husband was ADSW for a long time and I would argue that ADSW is a special circle of H*ll "regular" wives will never have to deal with (insurance lapsing every time orders change, having your military ID redone every few months or weeks, frequent problems with pay and constantly stressing about your next orders, etc). He is now AGR and it's still difficult. His last deployment to Iraq he was gone over 15 months, and a deployment to Afghanistan is in the works. Living "in the civilian world" also presents its own problems as I am not surrounded by women who know what I'm going through- it's actually very lonely when he's gone, and I certainly don't have anyone nearby who is sympathetic enough to help with the kids either.
Long story short I think everyone who's willing to deal with the negatives of being married to ANYONE affiliated with the military, and who stands by their man, doesn't cheat, doesn't quit, and doesn't act like a sanctimonious brat is more than worthy of my respect and support.
Thanks again for reminding people that AGR spouses ARE in the same boat as regular-military AD.
Oh, wow. I do not have any sympathy for this young woman's ill-considered stance, but it makes me cringe to think how easily someone's foolish opinions can be immortalized on the Internet — opinions that time and experience might even temper to the point that the author regrets her youthful misapprehensions. All military spouses (Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve alike) face challenges in the service life; I suspect the Army wife in question has added to hers by insulting broad swaths of what could have been a supportive community for a military newlywed.
As for her list of reasons Guard wives are less respectful than active duty spouses, let me leave it at this: clearly she has not spent a lot of time around active duty spouses, or she would realize that all of these are common “infractions” in every military community, active duty Army or otherwise.
^^^I couldn't agree more! Having been at more than one major installation during my husband's career and having gone through a recruiting command, there are wives of ALL ranks and throughout guard, reserves AND active duty that are constantly violating the unwritten code of how to act. This chick needs a large dose of reality! If she wants to rank things, married less than a year and recruiting duty don't really qualify her to speak on very many matters. Grow up honey!
If it was up to me, I would punish her husband for the statements she made. Then she would understand how she may have the 1st Amendment but soldiers do not. Not without negative consequences. Take 1/2 months pay and I bet she shuts up. I have been Active and Guard Infantry and deployed more GUARD! She is a RECRUITERS WIFE, been married for less than a year, and does not live on an active duty base! WOW
And isn't she disrespecting her soldier, his company and all military by creating unnecessary attention to her husband? Having an unruly spouse is an infraction and she totally violates it by putting up this blog. As far as spouses displaying affection in uniform, she is making a generalization that can be applied to any spouse whether guard, active, or reserve. Not everyone does it. In fact, I recall a few months ago flying in to El Paso to stay with my husband on a pass after his deployment training, getting there 1 day before he was supposed to be released, to have him surprise me in the airport and him specifically telling me that we are not supposed to hug/kiss/hold hands etc while he's in uniform. Now, me not being active duty spouse and live no where near an army post, had no idea. However, my according to her "NOT REAL SOLDIER," was just as excited to see me, but in respect of his ARMY values (SHOCKING! Yes, they do have the same values even though they are not "real soldiers" and national guard) let me know this. So it does not always fall on the "ARMY WIFE"..it is the responsibility and honor of the soldier to not let that happen. You can't blame one side without blaming the other. He could have easily disregarded this rule, but because he values his uniform, country and because in fact, he is a REAL SOLDIER, he did not. She made herself and her husband look ridiculous. I hope he got the whip out and taught her a lesson, and no, not in the bedroom.
I understand the difference in view each person has especially from branch to branch. My Father and Grandfather were Air Force, my Cousin Navy, my uncles Army and my Husband is a former Marine now in the Guard. My Husband is also a Federal technician which means he doesn't come home and "change to his civilian job" he is military all day, everyday.
He is currently deployed and his tour will last 12months as do all Army Guard rotations in our state. It's not the 4-6months like the Marines it's a full 12 months. And I can tell you some of the "spouses" to the Guardsmen with my husband do the same stupid things that I saw when my Dad was active duty, the crap I have heard on every branch of the Arm Services on every base around the world.
As for the title of "Army Wife"- My Husband is a Marine through and through and that makes me a Marine's wife, a retired Air Force Brat, a Marine Aunt, Niece of a Squid and Niece of a Rangers. We are all part of a family that runs deep in the history of this great country! No matter what branch is being served WE are supporting, WE are still a very important part of that military members life. We are all Supports!
The guard is a lot older than the Declaration of Independence (1776) and U.S. Constitution (1787); predates the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps139 years; and is 311 years older than the Air Force?
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1. The National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States (December 13,1636)and one of the nation's longest-enduring institutions, celebrated its 376th birthday on December 13, 2011.Older than the Declaration of Independence 1776, US constitution 1787, and predates the Army Navy and Marine Corp by 139 years.
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2. Responsible for their own defense, the colonists drew on English military tradition and organized their able-bodied male citizens into militias.The colonial militias protected their fellow citizens from Indian attack, foreign invaders, and later helped to win the Revolutionary War. Following independence, the authors of the Constitution empowered Congress to "provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia." However, recognizing the militia's state role, the Founding Fathers reserved the appointment of officers and training of the militia to the states. Today's National Guard still remains a dual state-Federal force.
3. Throughout the 19th century the size of the Regular Army was small, and the militia provided the bulk of the troops Throughout the 19th century the size of the Regular Army was small, and the militia provided the bulk of the troops during the Mexican War, the early months of the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. In World War I, which the U.S. entered in 1917, the National Guard made up 40% of the U.S. combat divisions in France; in World War II, National Guard units were among the first to deploy overseas and the first to fight.
4. The Guard stood on the frontiers of freedom during the Cold War, sending soldiers and airmen to fight in Korea and to reinforce NATO during the Berlin crisis of 1961-1962. During the Vietnam war, almost 23,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called up for a year of active duty; some 8,700 were deployed to Vietnam. Over 75,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called upon to help bring a swift end to Desert Storm in 1991.
5. Since that time, the National Guard has seen the nature of its Federal mission change, with more frequent call ups in response to crises in Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, and the skies over Iraq. Most recently, following the attacks of September 11, 2001, more than 50,000 Guard members were called up by both their States and the Federal government to provide security at home and combat terrorism abroad. In the largest and swiftest response to a domestic disaster in history, the Guard deployed more than 50,000 troops in support of the Gulf States following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Today, tens of thousands of Guard members are serving in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan, as the National Guard continues its historic dual mission, providing to the states units trained and equipped to protect life and property, while providing to the nation units trained, equipped and ready to defend the United States and its interests, all over the globe.
If you looked at a battle field of the dead solders tell me who are Regular Navy, Army, Marines, National Guard or the enemy for that matter. Who cares if a dog can't meow. But we know who the solders are all who lay on that battle field are solders. We are all sorry you never learned to tell the difference.
The Militia now called the National Guard has fought in ever major war that the United States was involved in from 1775 till the present
Revolutionary War1775-178325,000Northwest Indian War1785-1795~1,056Quasi-War1798-1800514War of 18121812-1815~20,0001st Seminole War1817-181836Black Hawk War18323052nd Seminole War1835-18421,535Mexican-American War1846-184813,2833rd Seminole War1855-185826Civil War1861-1865~625,000Indian Wars1865-1898919Great Sioux War1875-1877314Spanish-America War18982,446Philippine-American War1898-19134,196Boxer Rebellion1900-1901131Mexican Revolution1914-1919~35Haiti Occupation1915-1934148World War 11917-1918116,516North Russia Campaign1918-1920424American Exp. Force Siberia1918-1920328Nicaragua Occupation1927-193348World War 21941-1945405,399Korean War1950-195336,516Vietnam War1955-197558,209El Salvador Civil War1980-199237Beirut1982-1984266Grenada198319Panama198940Gulf War1990-1991258Operation Provide Comfort1991-199619Somalia Intervention1992-199543Bosnia1995-200412NATO Air Campaign Yugoslavia199920Afghanistan (ongoing)2001-1,893(02/2012)Iraq2003-20114,484(02/2012)
I also am a former Marine and also served 32 & 1/2 years in the NJARNG 20 of them on AGR I was in the service from 1957 till 1995. I retired as a First Sgt The bold saying in the guard was you have a green card you but the ours in. There were some days we would work 30 days at a time. I was in aviation unit attack helocopters. You didn't get days of when your getting ready for IG inspections Parts of my unit served in the first Gulf war and after I retired they went again to the second Gulf war. My kids hardly ever saw me we put so meny hours in. It was the hardest job I ever had. A lot of us who went to the Gulf came bact to find out they didn't have a job when they come back. Not so in the regukar Army. They have to suport their familes to. If you had a high paying home town job and were called up with the rank of E4 or lower your family couldn't pay the bills. I know what it's like I bet her husband will sign up for the Guard just to make that extra money they always do. I'm 40% disabled & my wife a USAF Ret Cpt with 100% disablelity so we have our share. She needs to Check her facts befor she starts bragging.
Just a quick update..my husband has never had a 4-6 month deployment in the Marines..In fact his have been 8-9 months..and then this last time he was home for 10 months but away at training for another 2.5 months before he deployed again (making him really home for 7.5 months in between deployments)..and some are gone for 12-14 months as well.
OOOOO this makes me so mad. As I am writing this my husband is deployed!! I have lived on both sides, my husband was active duty and now is with the National Guard. He is serving his country and putting his life on the line just the same as an active duty solider!!!!
Having been an active duty spouse and now an national guard spouse, it definitely is harder being National Guard. No one in the civilian world really understands why I am sad or what my family is going thru. I miss being on a base where everyone knows where you are coming from.
I wish you and your husband the best through this deployment. When my husband was deployed why the NG there were only two people I felt I could talk too and they made a world of difference for me. Most of my friends and family either didn't get it or could be down right hurtful. I hope you get the support you need through all of this and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am the mother of an Active duty soldier….I sent care packages to him and his unit while they where deployed the first time in Iraq…I made a comment about our National Guards getting shipped out to Iraq and my son thought I was cutting them down….Son tore me a new asshole…Informed me that the National Guard guys/gals are so under equipped that they may as well have been sent out with bows and arrows…no sleeping quarters were set for them….no equipment that was functional and to top it off they get shit for pay AND they are no longer recieving a paycheck from their civilian jobs…..for a minimum of 1 year….He also stated that he would fight beside them any day of the week….Since my son was boots on the ground and seen the facts…I will back him 24/7. as for the poster…I hope she got ostricized by her military support group…sucks her husband will pay for her ignorant mouth!
This is the comment I was going to leave for her. Sorry it's long. I have to post it in two parts:
First, congratulations on your marriage and pregnancy. Second, thank your husband for his service and you for supporting him.
Now let's get down to business. You're a brand spanking new Army wife, and since you are out in BFE Vermont, you're not immersed in the community enough to learn the ropes. It's one thing, darlin, to speak your mind and incidentally offend people. That trait will actually help you in this life, because you must be strong enough to voice the things than many others don't. However, it's a completely different thing to shoot yourself in the foot by spouting off all the disagreeable things that come into your mind.
Perhaps while he is on recruiting duty, you don't need the community. You are obviously still living the life that you were when you met, but if you stay married long enough and he stays in the Army long enough, you will have to leave everything you know and love there in gorgeous Vermont. You will find yourself in a place where you have to build social and professional circles from scratch. You may even find yourself parenting alone (it's a bitch, trust me) and needing the help of people around you. The type of behavior you have exhibited here is going to be detrimental to your own well-being.
We can all draw lines in the sand. Between the different branches of services, between varying MOSes, between numbers of deployments, types of duty stations, injuries, etc. I could very, very easily rant for days about how everyone who is married to a soldier/airman/Marine/sailor/coastie who wasn't a combat infantryman with a host of decorations, who didn't have a leg blown off in theater, needs to show me more respect and not try to be in the same category as me. But quite frankly, there aren't that many people who are in the same category as me. And some are in much smaller ones–their husbands are quadriplegics or triple amputees. Some of them have crippling PTSD.
Speaking of PTSD, you clearly don't understand it. "His mind is solid as a rock" is ignorant and harmful. Experiencing PTSD has nothing to do with mental fortitude. It is a byproduct of trauma. Please educate yourself more on this so that you don't further harmful stereotypes. I know you added the "but PTSD is really awful, ya'll! really!" disclaimer, but it was too little, too late.
National guard soldiers and their families have sacrificed in record numbers for the conflicts over the past ten years. The activated soldiers have bled and died just as much as standard active duty soldiers. Their families do not have the resources that we active families enjoy. One Minnesota unit was deployed for 22 consecutive months–they were supposed to go for 12 and were extended TWICE while they were over there. The families weren't even told by command–they found out on the news. I know this firsthand because one of my very first supportive military wife sisters was a spouse of a soldier in that unit. When the troops came home, they did get to put back on their civvies and go back to work–but without the resources provided by military installations, without support for family members for reintegration, without adequate mental health providers who understand the ins and outs of combat deployments. Their families had no functioning family readiness groups and little if any local support from peers who truly understand.
Of course your husband is mistaken for Guard. Most of the soldiers (and yes, you call Guard members soldiers), they see ARE Guard. That's their norm. Forgive them for it. Politely explain that he is active duty and move the heck on, hon. You have a baby to worry about. This is small beans.
Part two:
Civilians often say stupid things to military members and their families. My favorite line OF ALL TIME was when a friend was asked whether she would be moving to Germany during a deployment so that her husband could come home on weekends. Really!? SERIOUSLY!? Do they have a clue? No. No, they do not. Ranting is not a way to educate them–it only serves to isolate our community further, to make us all look like ungrateful bitches and make them turn back to their reality tv shows.
See these moments as opportunities to give folks a glimpse of what our lives are like. Be honest, respectful and kind. Have an open mind and LISTEN when they speak. Guard families have their own challenges that deserve your utmost respect. There is no gain in comparing struggles. You don't deserve extra respect for being an active duty family. We're all in this fight together.
The reason I stopped by to comment is that my vast online support network of military spouses is all abuzz about this little post of yours. They are an incredible group of women who have helped me through 3 deployments, having a baby 8 weeks early 1000 miles from home while my husband was on a plane on his way to Afghanistan, through his serious injury this last deployment and a host of other struggles along the way. At first I was offended by your post, but when I realized that you are a brand new wife, I decided to extend an olive branch. Not saying something to you about this would be like letting you walk around all day with your skirt tucked into your underpants and your ass hanging out for everyone to see.
There is more to being an Army wife than putting on makeup for the First Sergeant. Actually, I've never done that. First Sergeant doesn't care about my makeup and generally only cares about me if I'm a major problem or a major asset to the unit. Until my husband's injury I was an active volunteer, leading the family groups and interacting with high levels of unit command. Since his injury, I have personally advocated for military families to the Sergeant Major of the Army, the Chief of Staff, Division Commanders and others.
I would suggest that you go on Army One Source and take some Army Family Team Building courses. They are a very helpful introduction to the Army, especially when you are far from the nearest Army post. There are a host of other military spouse blogs that you could read that would give you good insight into the various struggles of the different types of services/ranks/stations/duties/deployments/etc. Learn, understand, appreciate and respect the differences and how every one of us has a vital part to play.
Welcome to the Army sisterhood. Do good things with it, please.
Thank you!
im so sorry to hear about your husbands injury. you sound like a strong woman and i commend you for being an amazing army wife
Thank you, Megan!!! Very eloquently put!!
So many have already pointed out what I was going to – that Guardsmen and Reservists go through the same basic training and technical training as our active duty counterparts. I'm not sure about the other branches, but in the AF the Guard and Reserve are known to deploy more frequently than those on active duty.
The sad thing is, this woman is already burning bridges with a community that she's been a part of for six months. She's in bad need of a older, more experienced milspouse mentor to show her how it's done, and how to give (and get) respect to all.
do that go out for one month field exercises and ever other month gone for 2 weeks to a field exercise
As a Guard Wife, I was pretty put off by her post. I think your article politely disputes her post and hopefully she will learn her lesson and educate herself before she speaks. While I respect her right to voice her opinions, at least make sure your facts are correct and please do not put down my husband and his service. As for me, I don't care if she thinks I am not an Army wife, I've earned that title and while it does not define me it is one that I bear with pride. But as far as saying my husband is not a Soldier, I'm pretty sure he went through the same Basic Training that her's went through. He deployed for 10 months last year and has already been asked to deploy again later this year, so much for the 4-year argument… I think all branches of service have their difficulties and differences, but they are all serving the same purpose and no one is greater than the other. The biggest challenge for my husband upon coming home from his deployment has been fitting back into the civilian world and being apart from the military. He has already had more than the one weekend a month drills since he has been home and will be gone for most of the summer for training. This back and forth between both worlds makes it difficult for him and for our family. But that is the life we chose and we make the best of it without complaint. Active, Reserve, Guard…they are all SOLDIERS serving the same country. And as for me, it does not matter if I am meeting my husband's higher ups or those that he leads, I treat them all with the respect and kindness they deserve. There are those wives who are not respectful in all branches of the military, just like there are those outside the military.
Thanks for posting this!
Bravo on the SpouseBuzz tactful response, and I agree with you. I spent 7 years on active duty and retired from the Guard, and my husband is over 20 years active duty. I can tell you it is exceedingly difficult to blend your military and civilian worlds. As a mom, I'm lucky that my active duty hubby's job provides benefits we would otherwise struggle to find (medical care for my kids, for one). I am also SO relieved that I don't have to try to blend those 2 worlds anymore-it's a special person who can blend both worlds successfully and keep on trucking!
Really
All this bemoaning for what, being a soldier is a state of mind. Being a solders wife is a state of mind. Yes, technically those of us in the Guards are soldiers just like our Active Component brothers and the same for our wives. However being Active and having the mindset of a soldier 24×7 is different than that of the traditional role of the Guards where I drill one weekend and then take the uniform off for a month and my state of mind is this weekend I’m a soldier but Monday morning I’m Bob the plumber and most Guards wives feel more inconvienced when there spouse is drilling on a weekend. Then as a deployment comes up, we as guards get into full time soldier mode but in the end can not wait to get back home and be Bob the plumber that drills.
Don’t take this wrong I love the Guards, I loved being Active, but I know the difference. I know how the Guards think and I know how the Active side thinks and it is all a state of mind.
Please everyone a technician is not a full time soldier, yes your state may require that person to be in the guards and some states require them to where a uniform to work but they are not working as a soldier, they are civilian employees. None of that time counts in Guard time. Trust me on this techs have the worst state of mind when it comes to identifying themselves as a soldier.
AMEN, Miss ARMY Wife, AMEN. Your words were so well typed that I almost didn't post mine when I read what this person said. But, post it I did on face book. I have no idea why this person had to write what she did, but she/he did and look at the can of worms she has opened.
Well said. Obviously she doesn't understand long (375 year) history or the role/purpose of the National Guard…or the country for that matter. What a stupid thing to say. And, of course, the remarks were made anonymously. How embarrassing for her husband. She's a liability to his career…something that I am not. Which makes me not only a "real" military wife but a much better one than she is. Mary Corbett, Author of National Guard 101: A Handbook for Spouses.
Mary, thank you for your part in helping take care of our, other half, of the military (the Spouses).
As a former soldier I can tell you, & I am sorry to say, "It will not be the last time some spouse acts in this manner or a so called Military member".
Some people just do not know how to act, is the way I think of them, I am greatfull they are few.
She provided inspiration for an opinion piece I was asked to write for National Guard Magazine. I tweeted this hub bub out and NGAUS contacted me. Thanks for your kind words, Melvin. http://www.nationalguardmagazine.com/publication/…
Amen for words well put. My son is in the army natl guard and just recently came back from his first deployment, seeing things that I wouldnt wish upon my worst enemy. Amazing to me the ignorance of some people.To often you hear comments about men/woman in the army Natl Guard not being real soldiers. Well they are are really dying overseas for this country and all those ignorant people. Let one of their family members sacrifice their lives and see how they feel.
God bless you and your husband and thank him for his service.
shut up im a AD soldier and i think she is right like that part in da movie 300 when dude ask em we brought more soliders than you and lianitus asks em one by one what they do one says potter black smith ect. lienitus asks his spartans and they gave they call and said "no i brought more soldiers than you" PERFECT REF. so i agree with her 100% drill is a cake walk i wish i had it that good so deal with it panzee
You know for you to be a senior NCO, you're an idiot. And this is coming from a jr NCO that is a part of the Army National Guard. Way to lead by example. You are a prime example why I do not have respect for certain NCOs. You are what I call a "stripe wearer" not an "NCO". Cocky retard
If you are not living the military life in and out, then no, you aren't a military spouse. This is our life…And while they, THEY are the soldiers, they are also called RESERVE soldiers…If you aren't getting the benefits, then you aren't a military spouse.
I agree with you 100%. I am not an army wife, but I am a female Army National Guard Soldier that has deployed twice in the past three years by me being an MP (Military Police). I was not able to read the blogger's blog, but just the excerpts that I have read made me think of things that I know will not be polite to say. So with that being said, I do appreciate you spouses and quardsmen speaking up for us. Regardless of the quantity of being a soldier, its the QUALITY, DEDICATION and COMMITTMENT that we all put towards our country. She's clearly not that bright so we can continue to prove her an whoever else thinks that we are less than any other soldier wrong by doing what we do best: & that's fight for our country.
This is a bummer that any military spouse would pass judgement on another. I personally think it is hard no matter what. My husband is active duty National Guard, but for many years was part time, and heck yes National Guard wives are Army wives. Do you know what it is like to have your husband's unit be 2+ hours from your home, he gets deployed for 14 months, and here you are in your town with two small children — not an "Army" town or a military installation, and to have no support system? Your neighbor does not understand what you are going through, your friends (except those 2+ hours away) cannot relate, and here you are caring for two small children alone, managing the home, and trying to be strong. This is what makes someone a military spouse, overcoming the obstacles that occur when your spouse is deployed. It does not matter if they wear the uniform everyday, they wear the uniform, they get deployed, we all sacrifice. And as far a her comments on respect, come on, there are always bad apples in every barrel, I have seen my fair share of tasteless decisions across the board from multiple spouses, both active duty and reserve/guard– you cannot judge an entire group of individuals by the actions of a few. I personally feel this woman needs to spend less time casting out people from the group and more time involving everyone.
I quite agree. Add to the mix of deploying, children, being far from friends and support systems, a diagnosis of cancer or MS or some other major problem. There is no one for these spouses to get help from. I know several spouses that have had this happen to them. To say they aren't Army wives is short sighted. They carry on just like any other Army wife.
this is the way i look at it (as a guards girlfriend) for 1. who is she to pass judgement she wouldn't have the courage and integrity to even sign herself up as a guardsman so bashing is just out of the question for her. 2. the national guard is here to protect our states as for the coast guard to protect our boarders. so if it weren't for the national guard out 50 states would be more prone to fall under attack. 3. In a printed piece of paper it says they only deploy once every 4 years. Uh hello its the army reserves branch they can transfer them to where ever they want and that unit could deploy a week after they came back from deployment (not that they would do that but possible). They serve the same purpose as any other branch in the military to serve and protect our country. They go to basic, ait, deploy and leave loved ones behind during deployment. They still have the uniform with their last name printed on it. so saying there not soldiers is like saying cows don't produce milk. Granite she had every right to say what she said but she needs to know that our husbands, fiancés, and boyfriends FIGHT FOR THAT RIGHT JUST AS MUCH AS HERS DOES. sorry that post really got me on a tantrum.
my husbands is a commander of a unit 2 hours away from our home.. He works full time for another unit also 2 hours away. We see him Friday, Saturday and Sunday.. and he has deployed multiple times.. Like you said try having a husband be gone most of the week and putting on the uniform (active duty national guard) and then be deployed…. It is worse then having him just be active duty
My husband is in BCT right now, and his Battle Buddy is a National Guardsman. Right now, there's no real difference between the two of them. They're going through the SAME training, and we're BOTH going through the no communication of BCT. They can BOTH be deployed, and the frequency of deployment has more to do with MOS and unit assignment than with whether you're Guard or Active Duty. We ALL go through deployments and separations, no matter which status our soldiers have. And sometimes, it's harder for those Guard wives, who have to be without their husbands for long deployments and may not live near a military installation. Us Active Duty wives have a lot of resources and support systems available to us on base, and the Guard wives may not have that, so it can be more difficult for them to be away from their spouses.
There is ONE area where Active Duty wives have it harder than Guard wives: MOVING! We're planning and preparing to move when my husband's training is done; his Battle Buddy's wife is not. So being an Active Duty wife can be a little more difficult because of the moves.
But really, why are we fighting over who has it harder? We ALL have a challenge, whether our husbands deploy constantly or rarely. We ALL have a challenge, whether we get orders to move or our husband's company transfers him to a new city. Maybe if we weren't arguing over who has it worse, we could spend a little more time and energy taking care of one another, making new friends, and supporting our spouses.
Hey Holly! Where is your soldier attending BCT? Benning? Jackson? Sill? Leonardwood? We've been in a BCT unit before (as cadre, not recruits). I might be able to help answer any questions you might have. Just let me know! Hang in there and keep writing those letters!
well said Holly I was active duty, and thought once as she did but I must say.. the only difference I have now being a Guardsman is I NEVER move from my state.. other than that it is the exact same thing.. as I am a full timer (technician)
guardsman.
The really disappointing part of this whole saga…. is that now she has had so many hits on her blog that she will get offers for advertising and click-throughs that will make her money for her unthoughtful and hurtful words. It will also encourage her to write more of the same… Seems like some people like attention and look for anyway to find it…. Bad Attention still pays in the internet advertising world!!! What A Shame!
As Andi put it a few weeks ago on this blog… "Class does not spring from money or status"
no she won’t – the blog is gone. If you want to see the original post(s) (yes plural – hubs made a second post of his own, that’s why his boss is formally apologizing). you’ll need to ask around. I know people who have them.
It's one thing to be an inexperienced and naive army wife and another to spout your mouth about something you know nothing about and do it with venom. Her stance on PTSD alone is raised blood pressure worthy. She's almost telling people that NG soldiers with PTSD aren't as important as active military, because they're not real soldiers. I beg to differ because a friend of ours is NG and has been deployed the majority of the last 4 years. Hubby's been in 5 years and hasn't seen a deployment yet. Hmm…
Being on recruiting duty, how often has she had to meet the higher up powers that be? She's most likely never even been to an active duty base and when as someone else said it last night, the MTF gives her her first prescription of drink more water or take some vitamin m (Motrin), she going to flip.
She's callous and hypocritical in the extreme and I'm glad someone lit a fire under her rear end. Some NG wives have been through more deployments than the length of time she's been married, what gives her the right to tell anyone what title they can claim or not? I hope this lesson serves her well to show that she needs to be part of the spouse unit, not "special" like she thinks she is. Btw, her #1 thing she can't live without during her pregnancy is her husband. Lucky her, lots of military wives active, reserves, guard etc don't have he luxury of a husband who's stateside during their pregnancy.
I also hope nobody missed the part where the husband (who I've heard has applied for ocs) called people ignorant because they didn't know there was a "real" army and that NG wasn't it. I'm fairly certain that anyone with 2 brain cells to rub together knows that. After 10 years of war, the only people who might not know that from all the press and media coverage is the guy in the Appalachian Mountains with no radio or television and almost no contact with the outside world. Officer material right there, lumping a large group of people together and labeling them as ignorant. Promote him quick! Because that's what the Army needs, an officer corps who looks down their down at anyone who isn't as elite to be an ACTUAL or REAL Army member.
Looks down their nose*
I think her husband just lost any referal he was going to get to be accepted into OCS… if I remember correctly (do not quote me, been a while since I dealt with OCS and direct commission rules), he needs like 3 referal letters from various officers he has worked with, and I think a letter of recommendation from his current chain of command.
I want to be Megan's new best friend. Just saying!
Nah, I forget birthdays and never send thank you notes. It's true.
I haven't read her blog and do not care to. She obviously has not educated herself very well. I would be willing to educate her. I would love for her to come spend one week with me and walk in my shoes and then maybe, just maybe, she will understand that it does not matter what branch you are we are all Military Spouses.
I love how she has the idea that you if are a Guard Soldier that you have the "luxury" of only having a chance at being deployed every four years, I wish someone told the Military that. On average my husband has deployed every two years for the past 10 years. My youngest daughter is 6 and her dad has missed 3 years (1/2 her life) to deployments. In addition – My kids are the only kids in their schools that have gone through deployments and I had to fight like hell to get the schools and teachers to understand just a little bit of what my children were going through.
All of our spouses fight for this country, some die for this country and some suffer injuries for this country. A Roadside bomb, a sniper, an IED etc. does not show any prejudice on who they injure or kill and a military spouse or military member shouldn't either.
What I don't understand is why this girl gets so upset about the term Army wives, so much so that she had to write this post? What's it to her if Guard wives want to call themselves Army wives? And the fact she writes about it makes it look like she feels being an "Army wife" is above being a "Guard wife". I am married to an active duty Marine, and I would never ever dispute the difference between services. ALL THE MEN WHO SERVICE OUR COUNTRY DESERVE THE SAME RESPECT.
Now, I agree with being able to write whatever you want on your own personal blog. But here is my problem… if you are so proud to be an Army wife, and you claim to know about respect, then you should know that no matter the First Amendment there is line that should not be crossed as a military spouse. We are all to respect one another, and not downgrade any service member. That is HER duty as a spouse – to be supportive. She has clearly no understanding of that. And that is the problem with her post.
And if I ever darn write a post like this, you better believe my husband is catching flak for it… Hope her husband's superior doesn't catch wind of this…
All of this is bothersome, but do you really think her husband ought to be dragged on the carpet for stuff his wife did?
Absolutely. They're brought out on the carpet when caught speeding on base. They're called to the carpet when their child acts inappropriately on base. They're called out on the carpet if base housing is not kept clean and well maintained.
Part of being married to a member of the military is recognizing that your actions reflect on your husband. This is why the military member is called the "sponsor" of the "dependent", because they use their name on our documents to say "I am responsible for this persons actions" while on base etc etc etc.
If he doesn't want to be or think he should be responsible for her actions, she should not have the privileges that come with having that dependent ID. Anyone who has been around and knows the politics of the military knows one single action can ruin a military members career whether they like it or not.
I think he was dragged to the carpet for his own comments, which were pretty much the same as hers. I have a feeling that his career isn't going to be a long one. Hope he never wants to go Guard. lol.
he was not called out for her words. He was called out for his own; first as a response to her post and then (in expanded IMAX) as a separate post.
his command is holding the husband accountable for HIS OWN comments as a response on her blog. they didn't get involved before that.
Her husband was counseled. Here's the response from his recruiting station.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Army-Recruiting…
I wonder if she realized that by spouting off like she did, she would create THIS much of a firestorm. Now perhaps she'll take a moment to think of her actions before she posts a blog.
Just a quick word to Nicole Marie: You said "What's it to her if Guard wives want to call themselves Army wives? And the fact she writes about it makes it look like she feels being an "Army wife" is above being a "Guard wife". I am married to an active duty Marine, and I would never ever dispute the difference between services. ALL THE MEN WHO SERVICE OUR COUNTRY DESERVE THE SAME RESPECT. "
and here is the point – there is no difference. National Guard Soldiers ARE Army Soldiers. Their uniform says "US ARMY". Our paychecks say "US ARMY". When our National Guard soldiers are deployed they are EXACTLY the same as US ARMY Active Duty Soldiers. We ARE Army wives. Period. Hell, NG wasn't even represented on the Joint Chiefs of Staff until last month and even that is a bit weird because there is no need. We were already represented by the Army (or Air Force for AirGaurd) .
So it's not just that we want to call ourselves Army wives – We ARE Army wives. 100%.
My husband doesn't even need me to tell him anything, he just knows… if I ever write something like this, he ain't gonna catch flak for it, he is going to take a chance on that assault charge and knock the s*** out of me. I may be outside the military's reach as a spouse, and I may have a right to my opinion and all that jazz, but this post crosses the line and I bet most Soldiers would be filing for divorce if their wives had this attitude!
Basically I think it comes down to don't tell someone else how easy their life is when you've never been there yourself. I had almost no support when my husband was deployed and it was very difficult for me. I was a bit more understanding of the calloused remarks from people that had never been in the military but most of the army wives I met during that time were nothing but supportive.
She's gone back and edited her blog. She's deleted all comments, all links to her other posts and the link to the blog post her husband wrote in her defense. She's also deleted the part about PTSD.
If she felt her position was rock solid, there would be no need to go back on what she said. I do hope she learns from this lesson. Unfortunately this is going to follow her for a very very very long time and she had to learn the hard way that in the grand scheme of things, we as spouses, no matter WHAT BRANCH or division of that branch, are in it together and need to support each other.
What I am tired of is all the “army wives” crying for attention. I have seen too many of them happy to see their husband deploy for the extra tax free cash. And before anyone complains. Yes I served. I served in Iraq.
Some of the first things these “army wives” taught my spouse was how to get loans under my name with a dependant id. Yes there are a few wives I have great respect for. But I must say they would be truely exceptional women with or without the military.
uh oh – here we go again. I'm sorry you had a bad experience but PLEASE don't lump us all together. That'd be like us blaming you for Abu ghraib. Most of us are just trying to get through something we didn't sign up for.
The NG was a different thing altogether when my husband joined 20 years ago (before I met him) and it never crossed my mind as a possible issue when we married – I naively assumed that the NG was a domestic force and it would be like an extension of his volunteer fire service.
Amen brother.
john let me clear this whole confusion up for you ok………my boyfriend is in the national guard. Im in college and since i was in 8th grade wanted to be in the army so guess what i enlisted in the army. My boyfriend and i decided to get married you know why???? So we can stay together. We are both in the army so we both do not get marital compensation. We get to stay together and thats all that matters to us. You must have had a bad past with women and thats probably why you feel the need to bash the military wives. Not all of us marry for money. Not all women are gold digging whores. 99% of us do marry our husbands because we love them enough to wait for them even across seas. Just thought id throw that out there because i have a lot of women on here that would vowdge for me.
sorry you married a golddigger.. but although you had a bad experience with that.. not all of the army wives are lying cheating golddigging hussies. most of military SOs are faithful loving partners. so please dont lump everyone in with your money loving wife
I agree with John. I've made 4 tours, former Marine, current Army Guard. I just had a troop commit suicide and he is not the first. I will lump all military wives into one big pot because you may not have signed the contract for the military but once marrying you did none the less. I don't care about how tough you spouses think it is, proper planning would help, and it sure isn't you bleeding out on a hill. You are still going to McDonalds and sleeping in a house. Don't act like you live it because you are lonely and take care of the kids. Also, the Guard is by no means close to Active duty. AGR and Techs may put on a uniform, but they aren't going to the field, doing PT, or any daily activity like active duty. Stop letting your husbands lie to you about how awesome they are. Active duty IS the military, the Guard will always be support, they don't even fall under UCMJ unless activated. That girl that started all this is an idiot, but don't get your undies twisted because you think any of this is that bad. You all need to ruck up or shut up. Oderint Dum Metuant.
Wow! Really? I am recently married. A college graduate way before I even met my husband. We went through a lot during our relationship trying to figure out how our lives could fit together. I'm a teacher aspiring to be a principal and eventually a superintendent. Which means a lot more schooling for me and that I need a lot of experience in the teaching field to be successful. We got married and stationed at one of the worst states for finding teaching work. I am now paying my student loans and other debt with a day care hourly position that I HATE and my husband is deployed. I would gladly give up the extra money to have my husband here on the days when I feel like my dreams are going down the drain for the military. What my husband does is hard. I could never do it. But don't ever bash a military wife. We give up a lot for this life and not all of us are lonely stay at home moms. In fact I am far from lonely. I just miss the person that I gave a lot of my life up for. I don't have kids yet but when I do I know that this lifestyle will be even more mentally exhausting to deal with. And as for proper planning when has the military ever allowed for proper planning. If they did I would be in Alaska with a job…but no that got changed at the last minute and there went my job. Go ahead and lump all of us in one big pot. Then the rest of the world can lump you into one pot. Some of the words of advice I got when I started dating a man in the military…they are all angry, drunk, pigs that cheat on their wives. They only get married for one reason the BAH. Hmmmm not quite accurate for all of you right?
Dude don't air your dirty laundry here.
Are you insane? I retired from the U.S Army and have deployed multiple times. Army wives keep the home
fires burning. God Bless our Armed Forces and God Bless our Army wives. When I say army, I include
both the National Guard, and Reserves whom I have fought side by side with on deployments.
Shame on you!
I'd like to share a response that I wrote to her on my blog last night. I am a Guard wife and proudly stand behind what I wrote…..
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com/2012/02/in-res…
jennifer my friend posted your response along with "the boiling point" and i love love love it. although you poke fun at what she had to say i loved how you made your point across without stooping to her level. your response was alot more well written than mine would have been
Awesome.
I just really can't believe anyone could say such ignorant things about the Guard and their spouses. My husband is active duty, and I personally know Guard soldiers back home. As hard as deployment was for me, their wives/families have it MUCH HARDER for the sheer fact that they have zero support system!! We all know that civilians can't fully comprehend a deployment. They can recognize a need, but they don't know how to deal with it. Teachers not in a military area don't know how to handle kids whose moms/dads are deployed and they're having a hard time dealing with it. I can't imagine having my husband working as a teacher one day and going off to Afghanistan the next. Deployment is hard enough without that kind of adjustment!! They may not be "full time soldiers," but they make the same sacrifices that all the others do. As someone else said, PTSD has nothing to do with having a "rock solid mind." PTSD has affected even the strongest of men and she would be mistaken to think it couldn't happen to her husband. This woman really needs a good introduction to the military community. I don't know where she's getting her information, but clearly it's incorrect.
This is our first deployment and we went to Yellow Ribbon 2 last week in Dallas. I was heartbroken to hear these Guard wives talking about the PTSD their husbands had. And I know for sure that my daughter has struggled with dad being deployed more than she might if we were closer to other families who understood what it was like.
I guess the 10 years my wife severed as AGR and the two deployments she has done being gone for almost 48months out of the last 8 years don't count. I guess it's ok that I have no support structure, there is no base near me to go to for services, it's just me and the kids alone and on our own. I guess that my experiences is less supported by the military than the active military spouses are make me to soft.
According to her… you are even worse… you are not even a Guard Wife! OK that was ugly…. I am so proud of you. Not many DADs would even be willing to do what you do!! Good for you!!! I am really really proud of you!
WTF? Over. Is the Soldier, in the pisture shown in this article a National Guard Soldier? Because if he is, he is wearing a Third Infantry Division Combat Patch. Additionally, the Army wife in question (I assume Regular Army) needs a quck history lesson on the National Guard. I have been Regular Army, National Guard and Federal Reserve. I can assure you, that when the enemy is looking through his sights. The only thing he sees is an American Soldier, with U.S. ARMY on his uniform.
Sometimes Guard/Reserve are attached to Active Duty units on deployments and we would wear the unit patch we were deployed with regardless of what patch our home unit wore.
He could also have gotten a 3rd ID patch from being on Active Duty and deploying with them before transitioning into the National Guard
Chris – the photo used for this post was pulled from a NG site and identified as a photo of a national guard homecoming …
NO – that is not the couple in question. It must be a stock photo.
Best response yet. Hooah!
waaaaaaaaaaa….
Sounds like she has a real chip on her shoulder. How ironic that she puts emphasis on not holding hands in public and prettying herself up for the 1SG in order to positively reflect on her husband. Yet, she publishes such an ignorant blog and is now probably surprised that it has negatively impacted him. I'm sure 1SG has a strong impression of her now — it's just not due to her make-up or fancy dress.
Ha! So true.
Well I am not NG but was a Reserve Soldier. (Almost one in the same) Lets see, I deployed for over 7 years in a 10 year span since 9/11. I do not know very many active duty soldiers that deployed that much in the same time frame.
I just want to say to her as I am sure they are reading most of these blogs considering he backed her and got a letter of counseling over it. 1. I was not pregnant when I married my civilian husband who went in a year later, did I pass judgement on you? call you an I.D. card grabber? Not at all..to each their own, but the thing is some not so nice things could be said about you. 2. Those you dis today could be the very same women who are there for you in your darkest hour. You cannot and should not judge every spouse of someone serving by a few that chose to be less than respectful. If we all did that we would sure think enough bad thoughts about young wives like yourself, would we not? 3. My husband has served 23 years proudly, I stay out of his job, because to me that is what it is, not my place to pass judgement on any service member or spouse under his leadership, everyone needs a second chance. I think you had plenty you aptly named your blog stirring the pot…that is exactly what you did..you could have anytime over the last few days taken it down, instead you chose to risk his job, his career on being able to exercise your right to freedom of speech. I hope as you get older and (hopefully) stay married to a military guy you learn to keep your mouth shut, once you say or type those words, you cannot take them back. Hopefully for you it comes in time..if not its going to be a long long long road.
I am sure she wishes this were not a completely technological age where one share on Facebook can spread like wildfire. Even just a few years ago, a wife whose views (apparently prodded along by her husband's) were similar might have been overheard or read by one or two people in some capacity and she would have been pulled to the side and educated by someone face-to-face.
It was an amazingly broad, ill-informed brush she painted an entire group of people with and I admit to being less than impressed with the post–I would have commented some sort of response, but simply couldn't muster the mental stamina to deal with each and every misstatement. Although I would hope someone would have pulled them both aside, it makes me uncomfortable to think people dropped a dime on her husband to his command–his comment in support didn't help his case, I'm sure, and does mitigate some of that discomfort with the dime dropping.
I think outdated views of who does what and why are unfortunate and likely do linger, but if the past 10 years have taught us anything, it should be that things are not the same as they once were.
I am so mad, I can't even think where to begin. She has only been married to her husband since August (6 months)… so I will just leave it at that. There are Guard Soldiers and their wives who have spent more time…….heck I can't even finish that sentence, because everything applies here. Just fill in the blank…. There are Guard Soldiers and their wives who have spent more than 6 months doing…. EVERYTHING! Geez….There is a saying, "If you are dumb, you better be strong."
This story is ~blowing up~ on Facebook. Apparently the phones/email at the soldier's recruiting office have been going crazy since the blog post went viral and people have also sent the unedited blog post to the office that in charge of THAT office. The arrogant couple in question are learning the hard way about the consequences of free speech.
It's also been brought to the attention of the VT National Guard 'high' command. It's hard for them to not know about it, and it has little to do with tattling – Vermont is mighty small folks. There aren't 6 degrees of separation here – you'd be lucky if there are two. One stupid blog post, read by someone in hub's office (or their spouse) is all it would take. she only had a couple dozen followers (if that) when I first saw it which means someone she knew spread it around.
how hurtful, she just affirmed my reasons for staying far away from other military spouses, self entitled mean soul that she is.
For every one of her I have found at least ten women who have enough substance to be called my sisters. There will always be differences of opinion and squabbles, but they are absolutely worth the lifelong relationships that are formed from our common bonds. She, and others like her, do not represent the whole.
Well isn't she just Spesh-ul……………oy
Her entire blog has been removed. She's wrong, flat out. As a Guardsman, I'm a full-time soldier – I work full time, gain full time benefits, and engage with "active duty" personnel from all services on almost a daily basis. Additionally, our people who ARE traditional guardsmen STILL see many missions per year, well beyond 1 weekend per month, 2 weeks per year (on average). If ANYTHING it's more difficult for some of them because they are forced to balance their civilian job with the requirements of the mission.
Don't get so bent out of shape, people. She has no clue, nor any experience really at being an "Army wife", so don't let it get to ya.
She's obviously paying for it now (drawn attention of the "hub's" commander, blog has been removed, likely going to be kicked out of the "Wive's Club" lol) Anyway, she's entitled to her own opinion. She's wrong, but she's entitled.
HAHAH funny.. Im deployed right now!!! So im not a soldier because im national guard?? Well listen here female i like to see you go through basic, AIT and come out here where im at and look at these people everyday… Having to watch your back.. carring a weapon on you and even still gotta have a knife just in case… we survive out here cuz we are SOLDIERS.. WE ARE TRAINED TO FIGHT…now stop complaining and start supporting your husband.. keep your rude comments about us to yourself!!
People in the guard are not brain washed and able to live on own.
And what exactly is that supposed to mean or imply???
Who does the pres call on when the active duty needs rest from war? Me and my brothers and sisters of the usarmy national guard. My unit is wanting to delpoy a select few over seas next year so this lady is totally out of control by saying that about the national guard and the soldiers wives. chances are shes gonna be one of those dear john girls or shes gonna cheat while her soldier is gone and not say a word so he has to find out the hard way she has no respect for herself or the military when you marry into the military you you gotta have the same respect for it as the soldier does
we are also homeland security if war comes to the states we are ready to defend at any cost we will take a stand right next to our active duty counter parts and became one proactive great force
funny when National Guard come home they are off the payroll, when the Army comes home, and do what ???? and still on the payroll, right along with there 5 kids and wife. What does that cost us in tax dollars….. Pay the soldier and let him pay for his family…………. we are not here to take care of a PVT and is hole family and parents too…. take care of the soldier period.
This women is whats wrong, but I bet the army is trying to help her find o job, cause her husband is in the army. What a joke. The soldier today is starting to be a burden, seems they want and want every thing free, Guards men go do the same thing and get nothing, but the active soldier wants every thing handed to them. How many are in the army for the (serve my contry), right……….. there for the free easy money and benfits for there family. reduce the military………. big time, get them off the payroll, the Guard will do the job when need be and when not, they will not be being paid like the Army….
Well said. As a reservist myself, in a community in which the Navy has made the choice to fight the war primarily with reservists, I resent the suggestion that we're not "real" service
members. I actually have been away from home on military service MORE than some of my active duty counterparts. And many of us, as your post states, return after deployment to parts of the country that don't understand the military or how to support families affected by deployment.
I hope she has the opportunity to learn the error of her beliefs.
The sacrifice of a Regular soldier is not different to the sacrifice of a National Guardsman! They bleed the same blood, share the same heartbreak and fear the same horrors ! Its the same here in England as our Reservists get second class treatment at the hands of the full time Regulars. If this is the case then why should we even bother serving our country if were going to be descriminated against?
ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL, ONE ARMY !
Are you serious? What a MORON. Thats like saying her husband is no longer a soldier because he's a recruiter…..give me a break.
She's been a spouse since august and that gives her the right to talk trash….I think NOT!
My husband has been an Air Force guardsman for 10 years and has 18 years active duty marine corps under his belt, what class would she catagorize him? As for me, she can't say squat bescause I'm a marine vet too!
People don't just "halfway" become a service person, go through a "reservist bootcamp" or stay to the "saferside" in combat because they are in the reserves….it's ALL or nothing!
AS A SPOUSE, KEEP YOUR PIEHOLE SHUT AND STAY IN YOUR PAYGRADE……YOUR MAKING THE REST HAVE TO CLEAN UP YOUR MESS!!! WHEN THEY HAVE THE GOOD SENSE TO KEEP THEIR OPINIONS TO WHAT THEIR QUALIFIED AND RATE TO DEBATE!
A a wife to a VERMONT GUARD SOLDIER This is what i have to say about her comments:
This woman thinks just because her husband wears the uniform more days then a guard member that makes him more of s soldier.. A member of the National Guard is a unsung hero.. they dont wear the uniform everyday so until they are deployed a lot of people never even know they are in the ARMY… So many members might only do the weekend thing but so many members are on Active Duty Orders working to keep Camp Johnson and the surrounding armories operational and if they arnt on ADOS IDK how many are active members of the Fire department, EMT, police officers, correctional officers, teachers, coaches and more. I dont knock what Active duty members due since one of our best friends has been active duty since graduation and has been deployed 4 times. he busts his ass every single day being in the army.. but what irritates me the most besides her saying that guard wives are not army wives.. Her husband is a glorified sales man hes not busting his ass like my friend does working on a base. she isnt living the live of a (in her opinion) a "real army wife".. he goes into an office and goes around to schools to try and get kids to join the army.Hes not working his ass off on a base or in a full time job in the community. NOW i am not knocking Recruiters but dont pretend that your husband is doing the hard job because its one of the most safest jobs a soldier can have with the likely hood of being deployed slim to non as long as you are bringing in people. When tragedy happens around our state they hardly ever have to ask soldiers to come in because they are standing there ready to help anyone and everyone they can. Then she says people cannot tell the difference between active uniform or a guard uniform.. thats because there isnt a difference. army is army.. air force is air force. thats like saying they navy seals are not apart of the navy. there are multiple branches of each branch of the military. for the record… THE VERMONT ARMY NATIONAL GUARD WAS IN CHARGE OF EVERY ACTIVE DUTY ARMY MEMBER WHEN WE WERE DEPLOYED IN 2010. The GUARD was in charge of task force Long trail and every member of the army was under the command of our brigade commander and for the record i was informed when i met the brigade commander who since has been promoted to General that it is not a wifes job to refer to higher ups as sir or madam.. He along with the CSM asked me to call them by their first names after i called them sir. I am a proud Military Wife and this woman has no idea what she is talking about. Shes been Married since August and Due this month to have a baby.. She has NO Idea what is required to be a soldiers wife besides what she has read in books and seem on tv. I thank God everyday for the Soldiers around the world who protect my freedom to say what i want to say and for laying down their lives so that i can live in a free nation.. No matter the color of the uniform EVERY Soldier be is active, reserve, guard or whatever ALL SIGN THE SAME DOTTED LINE.. A BLANK CHECK WORTH THEIR OWN LIFE SO THAT WE CAN BE FREE.
Hmmm – THIS post looks familiar ‘lou’ ;)
I am an NG wife living (born and raised) in Vermont. I am STUNNED at how far this has gone. I’m almost at the point of feeling sorry for the poor girl; but we all learn from our mistakes and I’m sure she will too. I just want to add a couple of comments.
The deployment cycle for us is unpredictable. My husbands first deployment came with only about 8 weeks notice back in 2005, he was gone for 14 months. He came home and was here for 7 months and was then deployed to Louisiana in support of Katrina relief. He was gone again in 2010 – by this time the guard had completely revamped their deployment/re-deployment cycle and the lead up was an agonizing 12-18 months of town halls and briefings. Though we do NOT have a traditional military base style support system we DO have an amazing team of contract support staff who do everything from talking me through how to fix my oven to financial help when deployments mess with our income stream to sitting down with the staff at my kids schools when the kids hit a rough patch. I personally would be lost without them and i can’t imagine how I would have survived two overseas and two domestic deployments in the past 8 years.
The second thing I want to say is this: This little tempest has focused alot of energy on spouses and SO’s. Aside from the insults to my husbands service, I was most upset because this girl has no clue how deployments change a family. That was never brought up nor discussed but is far more important of an issue than the greeting I use when speaking to his commanders (many of whom have become familiar figures in our lives.) My daughter doesn’t see the LT as an officer; she knows her as her friends step-mom. There are things about being in a rural area that you just can’t change. When only a handful of kids in the school have a parent deployed, the lines between officers and enlisted become somewhat blurred OUTSIDE of the uniform. Our soldiers are professionals while in uniform and walk a tight line VERY skillfully when they are NOT in uniform.
My husband works a full-time job PLUS giving up a full weekend every month (meaning 14 days with NO day off). Additionally, his ‘two weeks in the summer’ is what most people refer to as ‘summer vacation’. he doesn’t get one and we have never been on ‘vacation’ BECAUSE of his dedication to service.
It’s very tempting to go point to point but I will leave it at that since this dead horse has been flogged enough and you don’t have the full text of the original post (which is readily available if you want it, just ask around). Thank you for your post.
I've been married to my active duty husband for 5 years, and I'm an Army brat. My dad retired from the Army in February 2007, and I joined the Army Reserves in December 2007 when I was 17. I've seen both sides of this coin, and she is clearly completely inexperienced and naive. I find it interesting that this has now extended to her husband's command. She has permanently affected her husband's career with her completely ignorant comments. Also, I don't know ANYONE who feels they need to pretty themselves up for their husband's 1SG or CO. I certainly never have, and when I worked as an FRSA, I didn't know anyone who ever did that. Army wives generally don't have much impact on their husband's career unless they are colossal pains in the butt or are extremely helpful with familiarizing other families with Army life. The vast majority of us lie somewhere in the middle. I am no longer in the military, and I don't feel the need to act like someone with rank or someone who wears her husband's rank. I hope this girl has learned her lesson because I'll bet her and her husband' s got some serious challenges coming up in the coming months as the fallout from this affects his career and their marriage.
Well….looks like she made her facebook private. I can only imagine the messages she got!
probably for the best – she's due to give birth any minute, and we have to remind ourselves that she's barely more than a kid herself. I think she's all too aware of how unhappy people are.
There was so very much wrong and just plain mean about her blog. The one thing I would like to point out is her comment about how when the Guard soldier comes home he "gets to go back to his normal job". Ha! My husband just got back from commanding a Reserve unit in Iraq. The number one concern and stress his Soldiers had when returning: their "normal" job was no longer there! Yes, the law can say that they cannot be fired, but it can't say that the company can't go out of business! It happened to more than 10 of his Soldiers. And the ones that do home home to a job, often come home to jobs that no longer want him/her and find ways down the road (when it's not so obvious as to their reasons) to let them go because, let's face it, it's hard to have an employee that is gone for a year at a time here and there and then can be called up for training. What the employers are doing is wrong, but it does happen VERY often and happened to my own husband long before these wars started up because he was an auditor and was being called up to run audits for weeks on end. So, my point is, there is a lot of stress as to whether the Guardsman will even have that "normal" job when they get home. But that being said, I have actually lived on an Army post while my husband has been mobilized for long periods of time and the AD wives have their own unique stresses. All that training in the field. And from my own experience with my husband and my AD Army wife friends, more deployments (my husband has only deployed to war 3 times). Also a lot more social demands with parties and meetings. And most live so far from family (which many Guard families do too) and that support…. Each has their own stress and worries and hardships. And each has their own joys and rewards! It just broke my heart that this "Army wife" felt the need to put other wives down and then it infuriated me when she said my husband was NOT a soldier. He VOLUNTEERED for the first two deployments. He was not actually called up in his own unit, but instead switched units so that he could serve and do his part. What is more SOLDIER than that!?!?!
As a mil-spouse blogger who has been married to the military for over 10 years….the first thing that jumped out at me was that she got married in August and her "Hubs" is a recruiter. I want to shout this out to all spouses, guard and active: what she said was wrong. We do not feel that way. She is "young" and doesn't know what she is talking about. Thank God above she isn't writing anymore.
bravo! My husband did recruiting duty for a few years as a task recruiter, and it was a different life for him than living and existing on an installation. His was essentially an office job with perks (like taking recruits out to lunch, etc), where as my life in the guard at that time (before we were married) was considerably more challenging because trying to blend two worlds isn't easy. I spent 7 years on active duty and retired from the Guard, and I can tell you that, I'd do active duty again before I'd ever attempt to blend the two worlds of Guard and civilian life again. It's a special person who can do that successfully, and a special family that supports that person.
Um – please don't go there ok dude? I've lived here my whole life. The vast majority of people in Vermont are good, decent people (although far too many are on the fringe politically but let's not open THAT wound). You're making the same error she did – lumping everyone together, there are nearly 3/4 of a million people in this state. Don't do it… Just don't do it. You don't know us.
you just can't fix stupid…period.
This woman needs a big ol slap on the face! National guardsmen or not anyone who marries someone in the military is considered a military spouse! I'd like to see her ass sign up and go fight for our country just like I have. And yes I agree she does need to do her f'n research because last I checked not only am I an MDay soldier but I also work for my unit full time, so does that still make me an MDay soldier?! This article really upset me, and I'm not going to post it on here for the simple fact I wouldn't be nice with my words. This wife needs a clue, if I were her husband I'd divorce her ass!
Yes national guard is not like active duty and cant do what we do day to day. yes national guard cant deployed within 18hrs if needed and jump from planes. active duty is one job and one job only because this is what we want to do and make a career out of it. national guard has two jobs in the world and that is being a civilian then being a soldier when they are called to duty. they did what most americans wont do and that is raise their hand and pay the price to keep this country free. i talk a lot of crap about the different branches and especially the NG, but when we overseas, we are all brothers fighting to protect each other and bring each other home. yes the NG death rater is higher because they only get once a month to trained, and yes NG is suppose to only stay in the States and protect the home land but when you fighting a war, especially two wars, they do what they can to help and bring their brothers home. i got buddies who went from active to NG because they wanted to have a second job and take a break from active duty life but still be a soldier. im always going to be active, im always going to talk trash about other branches, but i do it because its tradition. but like hell if someone is going to say your not a real soldier because your not active. in a warzone, it doesnt matter, your fighting for the same thing
The vast majority of actuve duty doesn't do 18 hour turn and burns either. Trash talking amonst ourselves is a sacred tradition, but like you said; when it comes down to it we're all on the same team. That's an entirely different animal from some self-entitled dimwit who's been in the community for 6 months and decides she's qualified to comment on things she very obviously knows nothing about. The funny part is she's married to a freakin' recruiter and in an ironic twist her stupidity has likekly damaged his career.
She sounds like an ignorant, arrogant, immature girl. Women like her give the rest of us a bad name.
Tricia I wish I could like your post more than once!
This is Horrible!! This woman wants to sit and Comment that Men in the Guard aren't really soliders… Well Honey ou've got another thing Coming to ya!!! My Cousin's Husband is in the National Guard!, along with My Nephew, and A friend of Mine.. 2 of these men have been to Afghanistan. They miss alot out of there family lives that we take forgranted… Kids days at school… Father Daughter Dances. A Daughters " First school Dance", A son's driver's liscense, Football Games, Cheerleading. You think this is easy for them. Knowing they are Missing Special Moments of thier Kids Lives. They are over there Defending Our Country… NOT "PLAYING CROQUET" !!! Lady get a CRIP!!!! Think before you open your mouth about a senative matter like this!!!
Wow…. this entire conversation is ridiculous. Everyone has a unique situation and reasons why they had a tougher time than anyone else. my husband was gone longer, I was further away, I have more kids, I did it alone etc…… whine whine, complain, complain. Deployments are tough, regardless of the situation. Make the best of it and stop trying to play the poor me card. Life on a military post is not as grand and supportive as guard wives think. Being at home with your natural family support structure is also not as grand as active duty spouses may think. Both Active Duty and Guard have their share of great Soldiers and their fair share of oxygen thieves. Stop arguing about whose farts stink more and focus on getting through a tough time in your life and making the most of tough circumstances.
What a shame for this woman to express so much ignorance and arrogance and not even be a part of the military community. My lovely and beautiful and wonderful wife of 45 years and 25 of those in the USAF never ever talked krap about the men or women of wives of other branches of the military. Almost ALL of our familiy members have has either a guardsmen or a reservist or active duty member who deployed to almost every nation on the planet. There has always been support from the civilians and ALL of the military personnel in the neighborhoods and in onbase housing when we lived there. The woman should spend some of her 'spare time on base' while hubby is deployed and get to know her future friends and helpers who offer love , consolation and help when needed and ask nor nothing in return.
i read this article after a fellow army wife posted it on facebook heated. after reading it myself, i understood why. i do understand that she does have the right to freedom of speech but, to sit there and mock any part of the military isnt very smart. what really got me mad was how she talked about people with PTSD.. everyone can suffer from it.. AD, NG or reserves. For her to say her "hubs" doesnt have it because his mind is rock solid was dumb. PTSD doesnt discriminate.
i do agree with her sentiments on wearing the uniform to take sexy pics. (maybe if they were for his eyes only, then yes.) i find it ironic how she was saying that, yet her main picture was of her in her "hubs" uniform with her belly sticking out. and her "hubs" said she looked sexy.
i love this article and how you defend the NG wives. im engaged to a reservist and i agree with your comments. it is hard for me to find people who understand what i go thru because i dont live on base. all my army wife/ gf friends are on facebook and are hundreds if not thousands of miles away. my fiance finds its super hard to juggle both civilian and army life. he actually got booted from his mission because normal job was so understaffed he had no choice but to work, only to get laid off a few months later. oh and can someone tell me when the word NATIONAL meant state?
. I think this spouse's ignorant comments came from a very close source—her AD soldier husband and it is a crying shame that after all the demand we have put on our Guard and Reserve in the past 22 years, he still holds this ignorant opinion.
My husband was National Guard 1986-1990 before transferring to Active Duty (22 years now, retiring in a few months). He transferred just a couple of months before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. I was still in our hometown for the year of Desert Shield/Storm and saw what our neighbors and family that were NG families went through. I was in a local community support group and we were families of all branches, AD, NG, and Res, parents of service members as well as spouses. Nobody had it any either than the other and we emotionally supported each other. I have a friend whose hubby transferred from AD to NG just before 9/11. They were in Washington state and he got deployed and she was FRG leader. There were no FRG meetings, only email loops because the families were spread over 4 states. Each side has its plusses, minuses, ups and downs. Neither is harder or easier than the other, they each have their different challenges and nether should be spitting on the other, we should be supporting each other as much as we can
If this is what she thinks about National Guard & Reserve wives…God only knows what she thinks about fiancee's and girlfriends of any military active duty or guards/reserves! We all serve, with or without a marriage license! Active Duty or Guard/Reserves! It is no ones right to judge who has it worse, who has it better. We all have or own shoes to walk in and unless she has the "divine" ability to walk in anyone's shoes other than her own, I would say she doesn't have the right to judge anyone else's life. God bless our military….and EVERYONE who supports them, loves them, believes in them!
Active Duty families don't know how good they have it supporting each other in a relatively centralized location. Most Guardsmen and women in any guard unit is usually not local to that any particular unit. Most commute from far distances and even from other states to drill and deploy.
Vermont for instance has its members from NH, MA, ME, CT, RI, NY,NJ, PA, CA (yes I meant to say California) and even Canada (yes from another country) to deploy as a combat team overseas while their respective families are left behind in those states. The spouse's and families left behind have no such centralized support let alone a PX or Commissary to shop at tax free.
I can find the UNEDITED Version, but, cannot seem for the life of me to find the EDITED Version! Grr! Help a Girly out please!
and here come the trolls…Stupidity makes an appearance once again.
I Agree with this Article!! I say ARMY Active-Duty, Full time, A Real Soldier!! Part time..No!! just saying
Let me further show you exactly how wrong you are – soldiers in both the active duty army and the national guard share the exact same Soldier's Creed: http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,1389…
Army and Army National Guard
The Soldier's Creed
I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values.
I will always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.
I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.
I am an expert and I am a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.
I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life.
I am an American Soldier.
You have a very fragile ego. You need to believe that. OK, you're hubby is the only real Soldier. My NCO was saved by a National Guardsmen. In Combat. Who cares what happens when we return. Combat is all that matters. Get over yourself. This isn't about pride in your husband it's about bandaging your fragile ego. Grow up.
Thats cool. So I will just let my not real soldier know that if he ever finds himself in a situation where your real soldier is being fired upon not to fire back because clearly he is inadequate. Just so you know it could be coming very soon as my not real soldier is being deployed for a year in Jan 2013. Good luck to your real soldier and thank him for his service.
This lady sucks plain and simple…she needs to grow up……..
As someone who spent over 13 years as an AD family member and 15+ on AD (I am still in) I find your statement that it is so much harder to be an AR/NG family member. As one poster pointed out earlier each side has unique challenges. Yes on AD you are have access to more services and friends that are in the same boat you are but your other family members are 3000 miles away. In the AR/NG you don't have all the same support programs but typically your family is nearby and you know your neighbors because they have been there for a while. On my block there are 16 residences and we have four neighbors that have been there less than a year.
Oh so her husband can deploy @ any time…well as a reservist, I deployed more than her husband did…I first deployed in OCT 2004 and left my wife with a 3 and a half y/o, an 11 month old and a 6 week old…I was in Northern Iraq for 5 months before being medevacced and went thru multiple surgeries to finally being demobbed the end of FEB 2006 only to be remobbed JUL 4th 2006 for another tour in Iraq…so I was finally demobbed the middle of JAN 2008…so her logic is F'ed up…and since her husband is a recruiter, she has never been an "Army Spouse" to a deployable soldier yet…so really she isn't an "Army Spouse" either…as far as her gripes go, as the wife of an AD Soldier, she has all the family support crap that the AD has that the reserves/national guard don't truly have…as far as the deployments go, if it wasn't for the Guard and Reserves her husband would deploy a whole lot more than he did before he became a recruiter…I would tell her to shut her cake hole…just my opinion…
WOW this Woman should be ashamed of herself. She is the kind of wife that does not REALLY get it! If someone has joined the Military and willing to fight for their country no matter as a FT AD Military or a weekend warrior they still ALL play an important part in the Military. Her blog shows the lack of respect she actually has as a Military Wife! We are ALL here to Support each other. However I bet she is the type of Military Wife that if stopped by the MP's on base says…Do you know who my husband is?! I am a PROUD Military Wife and my husband did 6 years Army AD, and then took a 15 year break and then at 38 decided he wanted to be able to give more to his country and signed with the Air Force National Guard and has been there 3.5 years! In those 3.5 years he has won Awards, been coined many times, was Distinguished Gard in School while others around him were out partying, he has received not one but TWO Florida Commendation Awards AND when he was picked to go to ALS (Airman Leadership School) at 40 the oldest in his class and ONLY Weekend Warrior he was Awarded the Levitow Award. So she can spew her meanness, hate, and pure ignorance fer the Military and that we ALL matter regardless of the Title, but those of US that are True Military Members, Wife and Familes know her words MEAN NOTHING! I almost did not WASTE time to reply here. But I have a duty to my husband and the Women that I support and help with their lives, weight loss and jobs as Military Loved ones to reply.
not to mention she'd be in what is – without a doubt – the vastest minority I've seen in a while. I think I've seen 3 people who were ignorant enough to agree with the blog (though "armywife' above says she agrees with THIS article which means she agrees that the blogger was a fool. LOL. I've gotta' stop following the comments on this article – how the heck do I get outta' this…. nevermind – I found it.
I can only think of one thing to say…ok two things:
1. An avalanche as begun and it is to late fo rthe pebbles to vote
2. This young lady whom wrote this antagonistic blog has no clue as to what she is saying.
ok..three…Sad!!
How dispicable an attitude! For those National Guardsmen who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan and came back injured or dead…did it matter whether or not they were "active duty" to their wives and family? Was the pain any LESS for their wives or familes while they were away as it was for the "active duty" wives? You owe every National Guardsmen, their wives, and their families an apology for your insensitivity.
This woman makes me sick. I am a wife of an Army national guard solider. My husband is currently deployed to Afghan. My husband is to be deployed for a year. Every solider in the active, reserves, and guard know what they are signing up for. Some leave more than others. While this woman has the nerve to post such stupid comments, my husband is over there protecting her stupid butt so she can make such dumb remarks. You need to walk in someone elses shoes before opening your big mouth..
i was a radio oper. in the marines.spent 26 mounths in viet nam.the reserves might not be considerd real in the states, but in a combat zone everyone is a real soldier.i was reguler usmc in for 4 yrs.67-71.i feel very sorry for all reserves cuz they did not expect to end up in this crap for real.it must be much harder on ther familys.my people knew i was going.it must be a horrific shock to find out your going to war.best wishes to all.go to the V.A. for help when you need it.go now dont go in 30 years like i did.joe semper fi
I am a National Guard soldier. From 04 to 08 I was deployed 3 times. Still looking for that 4 yr break between deployments. This young lady has no clue to the military life if she is not living with her hubs and supporting him by being next to him. In my unit there are a lot of us that came from AD to NG. After 19 yrs in the Army I do believe that on our left side of our uniform it say U.S. Army just like AD. She needs to get to Hubs and see how other spouses act with there Hubs around. When I was deployed in 04 My wife had help from our friends that was still AD and she wasnt treated any different.
While there are plenty of Guardsmen who have had to deploy in the last 10 years now, prior to that, how much did they REALLY deploy? Also, out of ALL the Guards units, what percentage of them ever go beyond weekend drills and deploy even today? There is a reason that they have been called weekend warriors for so long and that view isn't going to change just because for a while now they had to fulfill their military obligations.
So what, exactly, is your point? You want to compare what guardsman may, or may not have done, over a decade ago to justify the ignorant rants of a 6-month army wife?
Our Guard unit served in WWI, WWII and Korea. Yes, there were years when the Guard was used mainly for humanitarian missions and natural disasters; but, I can tell you those they helped greatly appreciated the fact that they were there. We were not a nation at war then so your tax dollars were saved by having 'weekend warriors' instead of active duty Soldiers.
Most of the Soldiers in the Guard now joined after 9/11 fully knowing they could and would be deployed to a war zone. If you really wanted to know the percentages, you would check them yourself. Even now, a quick Google search can you show which which Brigades are currently deployed and which one are getting read to go. Just because it's not on CNN doesn't mean they aren't going. Even though the war is 'almost over', Guard Soldiers are still deploying just like active duty Soldiers. Our Brigade has had seven major deployments since 2003 and that's not counting additional smaller ones to other countries in the region to serve as support for those in Iraq or Afghanistan. Over thirteen thousand Soldiers from my state alone have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Many them are on their third or fourth deployment. They are not weekend warriors. You'll find the Guard doesn't use that as a recruitment tool anymore.
She really did cause a huge sh*tstorm. When I initially blogged this, the post was still up, and Blackfive actually has a cached version of her husband's comments. They're both arrogant and clueless. And the etiquette lesson to women who have been supporting their husbands for 10-20 years in some cases, as they deploy and come home wounded from someone who has been married to a Soldier for a total of 7 months is appalling, to say the least.
http://thelibertyzone.wordpress.com/2012/02/09/wa…
So much for "an Army of one" mentality, those who serve, serve regardless of what branch, rank, or status!
What's amazing is how many reasonable, non-offensive posts have been removed without being marked as "removed" by the folks running this board.
This debate has served to illustrate a very real point–military wives and their soldiers have different types of experiences.
Though the way this spouse address her perspective may have belittled the experiences of our National Guardsmen and their spouses, it brings to light that we, as spouses, have very different perspectives and opinions on the military lifestyle. Even though our experiences are different, it's okay! If we though, as a military community, cannot unite and embrace the unique experiences we all have, how is the civilian population supposed to be expected to understand us? If we want employers to acknowledge our positive qualities, we must demonstrate them instead of tearing each other down for the differences between us.
That is wrong. The Guard are Soldiers abd their Wives are Army Wives.
Knew Army Wives when I was in the Army and to us Term Army Wife would of been better to us the B Word with wife. For the most part the wives I met were nice ladies, but there were a few that were not.
I'm an army vet who left active duty in early '65 after 30 mos. in W. Germany, over five yrs in starting at 18 in 1960. I never was in combat, and I was not married then. Yes, Pres. LBJ refused to activate most (by far) NG and Army Reservists as he feared the fathers who were ardent Democrats, would desert him. Many units were activated and sent overseas in WWII and Korea, but very few in the late 60s to Vietnam. Instead the draft calls escalated. As for the Air NG, many of the pilots outperformed active duty USAF fighter pilots. Remember, draft dodgers during Vietnam knew that NG/ARs would never be sent to 'Nam.
This is actually pretty sad. I just came from a Yellow Ribbon event last weekend and I heard loud and clear that when they actually get to Afghanistan, they are considered Army and not Guardsmen.
I am a reserve wife, and I’m utterly disgusted with this ill conceived notion that because my husband isn’t “active” he’s less of a soldier. Or I’m less of a wife. I had a friend (a friend no longer mind you) whose husband had the nerve to tell me that “weekend warriors only amount to be half the soldier when deployed.” And she went on to tell me all the reasons I wasn’t a “real” army wife. The nearest base to me is 50+ miles away, and my husbands unit doesn’t even have a FRG. To top it off, he’s deploying with a unit out of a completely different state. Active wives definitely get more benefits than reserve/guard wives, but it isn’t any easier because my parents live in the same town as me. They don’t understand, they don’t get it.
You don't have to call me an Army wife. I'm perfectly happy being called a National Guard wife. I'm proud of my husband and the Soldiers he serves with. It does bother me to think anyone can consider Guard Soldiers second rate to the other branches. My husband is a 20+ year Soldier. First with the Army and now with the National Guard where he is currently serving a second tour in Afghanistan. He's also been deployed to Iraq. We often joke about spending so much time on endless beaches with no water in sight.
Those who assume they don't deploy often have no knowledge of the Guard. He'd only been home from Iraq five months before getting alert orders for Afghanistan. Yes, we had over a year together before he deployed a third time. But, the Unit spent almost all of that year training. We may have seen each a total of two months combined last year before he actually left. They are well trained and highly skilled at what they do, which is why the military calls them up so often. They are Soldiers.
When these Guardsmen and women are not in active duty status, they get called up on a moment's notice, leaving their civilian jobs and their families to work wherever needed. Our Guard Soldiers have missed Christmas at home to deliver generators and water all over the state when we were hit with major ice storms, spent a month in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina, worked the OKC bombing, numerous tornadoes, wildfires and floods. They can respond to emergencies quickly. Often reporting in without waiting for orders as they know when they are needed because they live and work in the cities and towns affected. We're lucky because our state recognizes the value of these Citizen Soldiers and how important they are to the communities where they reside.
I call myself a National Guard wife and wear the name with pride. I've seen what these Soldiers can do and the difference they can make when help is needed most. I'm proud of every Soldier in the 45th Infantry Brigade serving in Afghanistan right now. I can't wait until they're all back home, along with every other Soldier serving with them, no matter what branch of service they are in. They support each other over there, we need to support each other here.
Wow! Has it really come down to this?! I’m both an army wife and military member for the past 17 years..I’ve been active duty, reserves, and now guard.. My husband is currently on a year tour but when he gets home, he’s fulltime army guard… Does it matter?! We are all on the same team fighting for the same country why must we get petty? Our country is what matters! Our freedom! The example we set for our country as free Americans! Not who’s the best or worst “Army Wife” this isn’t a beauty contest! These are your loved ones leaving our country to complete a mission! They ALL go into harms way… A risk we ALL take leaving our country! They ALL run the risk of dying guard or not! My God… Take off those blinders… Look at the big picture.. I pray for ALL our military families no matter what their status… They ALL make sacrifices… It saddens me that we get this petty… So sad…
As a spouse of a soldier, who by the way has handled both AD and Guard, she has no stinking clue. I'm not going to get overly snotty about the fact that she has apparently only been married to her soldier for about 6 months (being an army gf or fiancee has its own crazy challenges however), but chica needs to get some time under her belt before she goes off on this sort of rant…
There are unique challenges to both sides of the Army coin (active vs guard/reserve) and she clearly doesn't have the knowledge or experience to critique either.
Alright, I sat here letting my thoughts wander into a less polite stream, so I'll wrap this up. She just pissed a bunch of people off, that she has never met, and clearly has her tail between her legs. I'm going to write her off as unaware, and un-initiated. Yes?
My husband and I will celebrate our 6th Anniversary next month. He's been on two deployments, both before we became a couple, and for the exception of a good number of months after his return from Afghanistan, he has been on Active Duty. He is a Guardsman. He has, somehow managed to be of more use at home, which has saved us from, if I remember correctly, 3 potential deployments in less than 6 years. This last one, we received 2 months warning, and his fate wasn't set until after mobilization. I can also tell you that, the 4 year mark for deployment turn around, is incorrect, or at least for the most part. In VA, a soldier cannot be re-deployed within a year, after that, fair game. Whether or not one can, would, or should expect or We have a friend, who was re-deployed, however, within months of his return from a previous deployment (if I understand correctly, though, he deployed with another unit, when he returned and deployed again, it was with his unit).
What seems to escape many minds in this argument (which, IMO, shouldn't even exist as, seriously? Quibbling over who is and isn't?) is the fact that Guardsman, and their families have to deal with separation, and often times, lulls in communication, during times of severe weather. Case in point, a number of years ago, hubby didn't think we needed to get snow shovels. He gets sent away, for a school or work, or on call for the potential of sever weather; can't really remember why, but I digress; and one night, I find myself digging out with a plastic dust pan, and a rather small one at that. We now have 3 snow shovels, or at least we did. :) Last couple of years, the neighbors have gotten days off, and in so doing, have been able to keep up with the snow, making it easier, as it was fresh snow. We, on the other hand, weren't able to dig out for 2, 3, sometimes even 4 or more days. Trying to dig clear away snow, that is thigh high and has the chance to re-freeze, many times over, is rather frustrating. My daughter and I have even come very close to being stuck without heat because of this service. Thankfully nothing came up that required access to our cars, much less the ability to get out of the driveway!
Regardless, Military service is military service. My daughter still cries, as she did today, for her Daddy to be home. He may not be deployed, and is the exception to the general hum that seems to go on between those few who seem to think Federal Active Duty and Reserve components are not of equal standing or validity (considering the hum doesn't really ever seem to take into consideration the Guard soldiers who are active); however, being that he is active duty Guard, he is gone, it seems, more often than not. Even so, whether they are Federal, State, or Imaginary, time spent away from family is still time spent away from family. It's still the same sacrifices, worries, phone calls, tears, and heart ache. I have to give my daughter the same hug, kiss, and assurances as any other military spouse. I can tell you, I have tried so many avenues to find help or support when he's gone. I keep coming up empty. I don't know if spouses of Federally Active soldiers receive any information when they enter into this life, but I know I haven't.
Obviously she doesn't understand long (375 year) history or the role/purpose of the National Guard…or the country for that matter. What a stupid thing to say. And, of course, the remarks were made anonymously. How embarrassing for her husband. She's a liability to his career…something that I am not. Which makes me not only a "real" military wife but a much better one than she is. I'll be sure to pass the string along to my husband in Afghanistan, as well as everybody I know within the miltiary community. I'm going to use this in a training module I'm doing for Guard Spouses in FL next month. I'll be sure to tell them their husbands/wives aren't "real" Soldiers. Mary Corbett, Author of National Guard 101: A Handbook for Spouses.
I don't get it. She's only been an Army wife for like 6 months so WHO CARES WHAT SHE THINKS?!
Couldn't we have just read her blog, shaken our heads and just tossed it up to immaturity and ignorance? I mean really, her opinion does NOT matter. It's not ALL of our job to "educate" her in the ways of the army. I mean if I new her then ok…game on. lol But I don't, nor am I even in the same state and not ALL of you know her either. Oh how I wish things like this could just be handled "in house" BUT I guess that's what happens when you stand on the corner with a bull horn bad mouthing thousands of people. They're gonna yell back.
Was what she posted jacked up? Sure, but so are a LOT of other things on the internet. That's the beauty of it. But, I guess she learned a lesson…. Yes we have Freedom of Speech BUT exercising your right of freedom of speech doesn't come without consequences.
I agree with her…there is a world of difference between the two!! period!! no comparison!! thats why we collect retirement after 20 yrs. and they have to wait until they are 591/2 yrs. old… end of discussion!
PART – 1
Let me ask these questions:
1.What is the price of coffee at the commissary?
2.Are your children Brats?
3.How often do you visit your parents?
4.What was the name of your child's best friend in first grade and where does he/she live now?
5.What MWR activities do you participate in?
6.Where was your first child born?
7.What color are/were your children's bed blankets?
8.What was the name of your child's best friend in second grade and where does he/she live now?
9.Where are you from?
10.How many Euro did you use to get for $10.00?
11.How did you like Kimchi?
12.What flag is flown over your base headquarters?
13.What was the name of your child's best friend in third grade and where does he/she live now?
14.Where will you be in four years?
15.How many states have you lived in?
PART – 2
Let me ask these questions:
16.What is your husband's serial number?
17.What was the name of your child's best friend in forth grade and where does he/she live now?
18.What does PCS stand for?
19.How often do you go out to the enlisted/officer's club?
20.Where was your second children born?
21.What is the name of your base commander's wife?
22.What was the name of your child's best friend in fifth grade and where does he/she live now?
23.How much dose a carton of cigarettes cost at the BX?
24.What color are your children's footlockers?
25.What is the name of your chaplain?
26.How many schools did your children go to before they were 12 years old?
27.What languages do you and your friends speak?
28.How do you like Balut?
29.What was the name of your child's best friend in sixth grade and where does he/she live now?
30.What is playing at the base theater?
Yes there is a difference.
A real Military Wife would understand these questions and be able to answer them the way real Military Wives do.
As a former soldier-I've been regular Army(RA), National Guard(NG), and Army reservist-(AR)I have to say at least I've never witnessed a NG/AR wife let her HUSBAND'S RANK GOTO HER HEAD! Unfortunately, I can't say that for RA wives. Ladies your husband outranked me-NOT YOU!!
Thank you so much for writing this. I cried as I read it, so clearly aware of both sides. I grew up in the Air Force and am married to a man currently in the Army Reserve. I was near Wright-Patterson AFB while my husband was stationed in Germany and sent to Desert Storm. I heard nothing from the family support group in Germany during their entire deployment. I was totally on my own.
We now live in northern MN. We have only a few Reserve and Guard units in MN so the culture here is not nearly as aware of military lifestyle as in areas with large posts. Even through the unit, support is very limited. The only thing I've personally asked for in my husband's four deployments was help plowing our 1/4 mile drive this last time. It was not available and the family support woman actually reprimanded me.
My husband was activated Jan – May 2003 (the group was deactivated before being sent to Iraq), 2004-05 and 2009-10. Once his unit went, twice he was transferred to another unit to bring it up to strength. One of his unit's soldiers was supposed to deploy with the home unit a week after returning from an involuntary transfer deployment with another unit. There was no four year home-time for him.
One of our sons also struggled terribly when his dad was gone during his 8th grade year. It was almost impossible to find mental health care and when I did we couldn't get in for 3 months. And they hadn't clarified that delay was not just for new patients, so after the intake session we had to wait another three months by which time my husband was home. There was nothing for children of deployed parents and I believe that time has left some permanent damage on our son.
Thank you again for speaking up for ALL Army wives. If our spouses serve in the military, their lives are on the line at the beck and call of the govt whether active or reserve. And their families are all put aside when Uncle Sam calls.
Activated is just that – Active Duty! The patch on their uniforms says U.S. ARMY – U.S NAVY – U.S MARINES – U.S. AIRFORCE, U.S COASTGUARD, NOT N.G. ARMY…………. Every single individual went through the exact same Basic Training/AIT as every other solider, sailor,marine,airman, or coastie who has ever served this nation. Regular Army – National Guard – Reserve, it doesn't matter what some snobby spouse 'believes' , each one puts their life on the line of frontline combat duty.
"Ignorance is bliss" and she is blissfully unaware. When she discovers that the same loyalty oaths are given and these same individuals, that put their uniforms on to perform their duty are vulnerable to life changing events as are their active duty brothers/sisters in arms she may inch forward to being a true adult. She has a lot to learn and that will come from the spouses organization. She is probably not aware of the "Total Force" concept, but given time, provided she stands by her man, she may succumb to the pride we all have for every one that signs on the dotted line to defend. God bless her and help her grow out of ignorance.
As a retired soldier with over 31 years of service both as a an active duty soldier and a guardsman I think this shows the ignorance of some active dependents of the reality of the real Army in todays world.
I can only speculate at this point since the blog is no longer in existence… I would guess the author is very inexperienced with the military, and very insecure in her marriage and her role as a wife. Sounds like she crossed paths with the spouse of a Guardsmen and got jealous of whatever she saw.
Here is a famous quote from Abraham Lincoln:
It is better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all dought.
We all have a steep learning curve in our journey through life and I hope this young lady will learn something from her experience in this matter. As a Guard member for 41 years, 31 years as a Federal Technician, there were many times in my career that I wished I didn't have to serve, but did so because I had made the decision to. We all take the same oath when we enlist or re-enlist and the call can come at anytime day or night. 9/11 was a perfect example of how the Guard responds to the needs of our nation.
I love your reference to Abe Lincoln's quote… it's straight out of the Book of Proverbs. ;-)
If I'm not mistaken, it was the CITIZEN SOLDIER that fired the first shots at Lexington and not an active duty regular. Any soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman Guardsman has taken the same oath as his/her AD counterpart and are subject to many if not all of the same regulations when on AD. And, in my opinion asa a retired Air Force senior NCO, they have EARNED the right to be called my brother.
Obviously this young misguided "Army Wife" is ignorant of the facts and probably influanced by her "Hubs" narrow point of view. As both a former Active Duty and long time National Guard soldier I have seen this pervasive bias for many years from all ranks of Active Component.. The fact is that the National Guard is mandated by the Constitution of the United States of America – unfourtunatly the Active Duty force only exist if funded every two years and can be eliminated if congress felt it was not necisary. To me that FACT makes it clear that our founding fathers put there faith in the "Real Soldiers" by mandating the existance of the Militia. Intrestingly the National Guard has a higher percent of its force that has deployed in suport of GWOT. More so called "Real Soldiers" in the active force have NEVER deployed. Our formations in the National Guard are funded at 10% of similar units in the Active Duty it is clear to me who the real soldiers are we are the most cost effective fighting force in the world and the reality is Money Talks as bull shit walks Double the National Guard and cut the Active Force it is what our founding fathers wanted.
I would suggest this lady come to Indiana. I am sure our National Guard Commanders would introduce her to some our National Guard widows. Yes! Indiana Guardsmen have died for their country in Afghanastan and iraq. Their widows weep just as "real army wives" weep.
I am in the Cal Guard leaving for deployment next week to Afghanistan, and when i get back my home unit is supposed to deploy in 2013. I plan on going with them, and when i return to civilian life i'll be bounty hunting. I wouldnt want to argue with this girl but i dont think i live the civilian life she is assuming we all live. Some of the men i'm going with are fire fighters and police officers. Not everyone has a safe behind a desk job like she is assuming and even then all that matters is a man or a woman working to take care of their family.
Exactly. I know of an entire COANG unit with members who continue to serve at the State level as firefighters when they are home from their deployments.
I would be outraged if I were 10 years younger than I am now, but the age of 37 and 18 years of being married to a soldier (both full time and National Guard) I no longer feel the need to care what anyone thinks of me. She's young, I'm sure she has been schooled on the art of keeping ones mouth shut.
Thank you ALL full time and guard. :)
Ask yourself… What was the death ratio going into Iraq this second time for Army Guard ???? It was around 38%…. Now what is considered combat ready for a unit ???? Answer is…. 70%…. That means commanders were reporting a ready rate of 100% and they should have been reporting closer to 62%…. But, that would have made the Guard members non-combat ready…. What was the death ratio for regular Army ????? Clue…. They were combat ready…. Now ask youself…. Why does the regular Army consider the Guard to be toy soldiers ????
Excellent point. The solution is to pull the guard from all theatres and allow the real Army to fight for themselves.
Exactly, use the guard for the function they were intended…. local state security and/or disastor relief… They have problems keeping these guy active for extended periods anyway…. maintain a proper size regular Army for the mission that is required. They're trying to save a buck on the backs of our soldiers… and our troops are dying because of their money saving attempts. Politics as usual…
This vet was Guard and my son's brother in law was Guard and was deployed to A-stan and his best friend was ripped in half from an rpg and he was Guard Me and my sons friend was Guard and He was killed by a suicide bomber in A-stan Now you go and tell there Wife's and girlfriends friends family that the National Guard are not real soldier and don't forget the Air Guard flying there A-10's and F-16 saving the boys on the ground tell them there not real soldiers Tard
Completing Army Basic Training and then joining a National Guard unit does not make one a soldier nor are their spouses "Army Wives". Soldiers are active duty every day of their service. They do not have full-time day jobs for higher pay nor do they go "home" after a deployment and hang up their uniform. All of the remarks posted here just reaffirm my experience that National Guard members want the glory of being a soldier but without making the committment. Stop whining and go Active Duty Army if you want to be called a soldier.
I don't think it's so much 'wanting to be called a soldier' as seeing a need and filling it. My son just wanted more education than he and his family could afford. So he signed up and within a year was in Iraq and within another eighteen months was headed for Afghanistan. Heck of a way to get an education, don't you think. Does anyone join Active Duty Army for the same reason? He had a decent enough job before Iraq, and demoted himself and trained someone to replace him. He came back to a lower paying position. An employer sometimes can't leave a position open for more than a year. It simply doesn't make sence, does it? I think most people have a need to think the thing they do in this life is important and special and ………….unique. And I think airing beliefs in this way is pretty healthy for teaching us about our prejudices and why we may hang on to them. What cha think? :)
I spent four years active Navy 1969-1973. One tour Viet Nam. I joined the National Guard 1988. By that time I was married and had three children. I knew there would always be a chance my unit would be mobilized. As some of the other commenters have said my wife did not have a support group like the ones on an installation. She had to take up the slack I left. It was not easy but she did it. As for Nationa Guardsmen not being real soldiers, maybe we should disband the Guard and Reserves and see how often the regular Army has to deploy. In case anyone is wondering you can field ten Guardsmen or Reserves for what it costs for one active duty personnel
WOW is the first thing I thought of. I wonder if she is young. My goodness the hate. My husband is active duty Army. He has deployed 4 times and 1 of those times for 15 months. We have been married for 7 years. It is hard as an active duty wife, but I can't even imagine being in the shoes of a family where they leave a good paying job that pays there bills, to a job that may pay the bills, but may not… they have to redo their family budget just for them to go. My friend's husband lost his job when returned, as they did away with the position. Companies get around the law of keeping the solider's job available, plus many jobs don't want to hire a weekend warrior. I think this lady or young girl needs to grow up. We all take different paths Thank GOD there are men and women that will be weekend warriors to cover what is needed at home, so my husband can deploy or to go and keep our country safe. Most of all, I think she needs to realize the wives and husbands are not soliders. We are not special because of what our husbands and wives do, but we are strong and supportive of our spouses and family, not better than anyone else.
Members of the National Guard have their governor as their Commander in Chief. When a natural or manmade disaster occurs in the state, it is the Guard that responds when called upon by their Commander.
The Active and Reserve forces only respond to the President of the US as their commander. Unless the President issues a federal disaster declaration, these forces stay home when the Guard continues to support the affected area.
Without the Guard to support or replace the other components, there would be severe problems in the combat areas. A National Guard general now sits with the Joint Chief of Staffs for his input as well. As a retired member of the National Guard, I thank all members of the military for their military service as well as veterans of previous wars.
Who said "Divide and conquer"?Retired military former Army soldier married 20 years both spouse and self "still (suffering)serving"Can we still say that?Give credit where credit is due on both sides of this arguement.
Try telling the members of or the family of, for instance New Yorks fabled "fighting 69 Infantry" or 108th Infantry that they are not soldiers or their families aren't real military families. Make sure you have a running start.
By law I guess she has a right to say how she feels, they only thing about her comments is the fact she is ignorant and stupid. It take a bigger person to work at a normal job and then make the sacrifice to drill on weekends, what she forgets is that you may have to attend schools and so on. Also your MOS may have additional requirements that you have to give up more time. She can think what she wants but to those of us who served, most already had active duty time. She is a professional whiner who desperatly need attention and medications.
She's right, National Guard Soldiers are not Active Duty Soldiers, ask any Soldier who seved on State Active Duty in New York. No retirement points, no vacation time, overtime on every holiday, longer shifts, forget about spending time with your family. Since 911 NYS figured they could provide National Guard Soldiers for security, and save on costs by putting the Soldiers on State Active Duty status.
After spending 7 years on active duty and then 21 years in the Guard and Reserve, I could tell this young lady is still 'Civilian' and that she gets these absurd ideas from her recruiter husband, who is home most every night since their marriage. He recruits AD and is competing with Guard/Reserve recruiters. He might not be meeting goals or is struggling to hit them. So he says something off-hand and she takes it as gospel. it is just rash pillow talk and she takes it to heart. Let her get a couple of years under belt and see how she fairs then. Guard and Reserve are indeed soldiers with a lot more obstacles to serving their commitment than Ad ever did. Thank God for the Guard and Reserves to keep our end strength up.
Thank you.
When I served (many years ago), I was Regular Army for my entire career and like most RAs, didn't hold the Guard in very high esteem. Our opinions were formed by stories about Guard drills consisting of watching porn flicks and eating pizza and summer camp was a time to get away from the wife and kids for two weeks.
That started to change in the late 80s. The Guard became more "professional" and serious about its mission. Iraq and Afghanistan were the tests that confirmed that Guard Soldiers are as good as the Regulars. In many respects the sacrifices the Citizen Soldiers have had to bear are greater than those of the Active Army. Like the young wife who wrote the blog, I live in Vermont. I have seen first hand, what the Guard men and women of the Vermont Guard and their families have to endure when they deploy (and afterwards). It's not fun. Yet they do it. Why? IMHO it's because they're patriots in the same spirit as the Minutemen of the past and this old soldier salutes them and thanks them and their families for their service and sacrifices.
Must be a natural blond…oh, by the way, have you seen the latest episode of "Desperate Housewives"?(you should be ashamed of yourself, Blondie!)
I just thought I would make a comment, noting that this irresponsible spouse does have the right under the first ammendment, but she spoke out of turn, and she is extremely clueless. Myself being a Viet Nam era Veteran from the 1960s, being a Draftee and completing my six year obligation in the Army Reserves. I then joined the New Jersey National Guard where I remained until I retired, so how would this clueless spouse catagorize someone serving on active duty, Reserves, and National Guard. This woman has to realize that most of your Reserves, and National Guard were full time prior service in the Military. You have to think before you open your mouth!
lol, drama..get over it..words are words and people are people…its a free country, let her say what she wants..it doesnt mean that you have to believe it or that she has to think like you…wahhh wahhh wahhh
My son is a Guardsman…Spent 14 month's in Iraq… He was subject to the same risks as the "real " soldiers… Cut me a freaking break!
Wow. I can't believe the calloused attitude of this woman. As a retired sailor I stand beside my brothers and sisters in arms regardless of the uniform. Know that the purpose of the National Guard is to act as state militia, but in recent years many National Guard troops have been sent to the sandbox to fill gaps left by continued DoD downsizing…and many have been shipped home in boxes. I'd say they have earned the right to call themselves soldiers. And their wives have earned the right to call themselves soldiers spouses. If anything, one could argue that she hasn't earned that right until her husband is off of recruiting duty and she has the opportunity to experience a deployment as a spouse herself.
But that's just this vet's opinion.
She's married to a recruiter and she thinks that those in the National Guard aren't "Soldiers"? I have news for her: Recruiter are not "Soldiers", they're salesmen.
I'm just thunderstruck. I was an active duty GF, then fiancee, then wife for 9 years and have been a Guard wife for another 4 since DH left active duty. The Guard life has been more demanding in some ways than AD life because you're always balancing two sets of commitments! Wow, just wow…..
This child is ignorant and ill-informed, and sounds like the phoney soldiers who claim to have been in combat, but never left the company area. She doesn't have the class to be a real soldier wife, she's too busy ragging on others. Listen, you ignorant fool….we are all in this together, so shut your ignorant mouth.
All this bemoaning for what, being a soldier is a state of mind. Being a solders wife is a state of mind. Yes, technically those of us in the Guards are soldiers just like our Active Component brothers and the same for our wives. However being Active and having the mindset of a soldier 24×7 is different than that of the traditional role of the Guards where I drill one weekend and then take the uniform off for a month and my state of mind is this weekend I’m a soldier but Monday morning I’m Bob the plumber and most Guards wives feel more inconvienced when there spouse is drilling on a weekend. Then as a deployment comes up, we as guards get into full time soldier mode but in the end can not wait to get back home and be Bob the plumber that drills.
Don’t take this wrong I love the Guards, I loved being Active, but I know the difference. I know how the Guards think and I know how the Active side thinks and it is all a state of mind.
Please everyone a technician is not a full time soldier, yes your state may require that person to be in the guards and some states require them to where a uniform to work but they are not working as a soldier, they are civilian employees. None of that time counts in Guard time. Trust me on this techs have the worst state of mind when it comes to identifying themselves as a soldier.
*****!!!!!!!!!! You all make preschoolers look smarter then you, my two year old daughter was watching the cartoon “little bill” I got a piece of advice from it for you all, – if someone is saying something about you that’s not true, then Just say “SO”… In case all of you forgot most of us are on team USA, grow up and so what if someone has a difference of opinion.. Her statement was made to a few of her “friends” and one of them put it allll the way out there for her… Haha, do lets practice. SO!!
Clearly this woman has had a bad experience some place or no experience at all. I am of the mindset that ANYONE who pouts on a uniform in defense of this country, my freedom and her freedom to be a ******, deserves every respect, period. I don’t care if it’s part-time, fulltime, up time, down time or what ever time…a soldier is a soldier when that uniform goes on and when it’s off s/he is still one and the spouse is still a spouse.
Clearly this woman has had a bad experience some place or no experience at all. I am of the mindset that ANYONE who pouts on a uniform in defense of this country, my freedom and her freedom to be a ******, deserves every respect, period. I don’t care if it’s part-time, fulltime, up time, down time or what ever time…a soldier is a soldier when that uniform goes on and when it’s off s/he is still one and the spouse is still a spouse.
Please! Don't give me that bull. My husband served 30 years in the Army Reserve and he loved every minute of serving his country. He was gone quite a bit and i had to keep the home fires burning so to speak. The Reserve and Guard deserve to get as much recognition as active duty soldiers!!!
Whether your loved one is active or a guardsmen they are all American Soldier's fighting for our country!
I am sorry-but if they serve they are real soldiers and their families are real military families. Please people, do not downgrade anyone that puts their life on the line for your freedoms.
Shes right Army wives are fat good for nothing sluts that live off their husbands paycheck and cheat. NG wives are in shape, self dependant, make money and are able to hold down the fort and marriage while the soldier is away
I don't care who you are if your Reserve or Active Duty Military your still serving your country and so are the wives.They sacrifice just as much as the Active Duty Military Wives do. I should know being married to a soldier that is active duty and plans on going to the reserves here within a yr. It is just rediculous that she seems to think that Army Wives is just for those who are Active Duty Military.
Another reason why I don't claim the "Army Wife" label…it is stupid and it is women like her who make me despise the the label. Never call me an Army Wife…I am an engineer, mother, and wife whose husband just happens to be in the Army.
Obviously she is NOT a soldier who had the GREAT opportunity that we did/do to raise HER right hand to CHOOSE to defend this country. ANY branch. We forgive you lady!! :(
Hi. I'm a National Guard mom. My son just came home from Iraq in DEC. How dare anyone say that he or this family didn't serve our country. When you have a loved one in the service, you are in the service too. I am a single mom and I had to support my son and gird him up so he wouldn't know how scared I was that he was going over. I have a strong faith in God and that's what got me through. God and the FRG. I thank God every day for the FRG and those wonderful women and men who support each other in those times. It doesn't matter in what capacity you serve your country but the fact that you are willing to do it. There are many American's who aren't willing to do it. She needs to be knocked down off of that army wife pedistal she's made for herself and get grounded. I'm proud of every one of the men and women who worked to protect this country. i'll pray for her!!
How can an military spouse even say some of these terrible hateful things. Maybe she should spend some time in Maryland at Bethesda hospital in the MATSE . The enemy does not differentiate between yours ,mine and ours! These men choose to train and proctect her as well as our country because they are proud Americans. When they go through months of training to become soldiers, Rangers or Special Forces personel,YES they too can train to be any of these. They are giving of their time with their famalies and loved ones to be ordered to deploy or choose to go because it is the right thing for them to do.YOU be on the other end of the phone when your loved has opened the door to find that car in front of the house and they inform her that her husband is on his way to Germany and so far he is alive.
IF THEY AREN'T REALLY SOILDERS THEN WHY THE HELL DO THEY DIE FOR THEIR COUNTRY. THEY ARE REAL IF ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME SO YOU ACTIVE DUTY CRY BABIES NEED TO LOOK AT THEM AS THE BACK UP FORCE WHO IS ALWAY THERE WHEN YOU guys get short of men in combat. ARE AWAY ON YOUR OUT OF COUNYTRY DUTIES THESES ARE THE GUYS THAT WILL BE PROT3ECTING YOUR DUMB ASS WIVES WHO STAY SAFE AT HOME CRYING ABOUT SHIT THEY SHOULD BOT BE CRYING A BOUTR AND THEY ARE NOT A MILITI FORCE . HAVENT YOU SORRY INDIVIDULAS NOW FEDERAL LAQW CCHANGED RHAT OVER TEN YEARS AGO. THEY GO TO WAR ALONG SIDE YPU FOOLS AND DIE JUST As ypu do aND GET HURTY JUST As you do. trhey have been in evry war that has ever hit our country fronm afar. so grow up and give them open arms. I am a Navy vet and appreciate their help. without them our ships would never go anywhere. when the short end of the stick comes up short who is gonna saqve your ass in a tighjt spot your cry baby wife. i doubt that.
Her extreme outcast about labeling someone that offends the system. Seems to me she might be a Tea Party Person also. Want to tear down the system.
I have been an army spouse for almost 24 years. I have been a regular army active duty spouse during a deployment, as well as a guard wife through three. I think I can speak for both types of spouses- they are both Army Wives. I would also like to say that the Guard spouse has it harder in many aspects. They do not have a centralized support system in place. Many times a civilian community does not have resources to help a family of a deployed soldier, and the family must find ways to get along without . Regular army spouses have the FRG right on post, medical support is right there, too. It is a big relief. And one more point I would like to make to this blogger. The Oklahoma National Guard has been there every step of the way during this war and in the past. Why don't you Google it!. These soldiers are just as prepared to fight as their full-time counterparts. My husband is a proud member of this organization. By the way, his blood, as well as the blood of all of the other proud citizen soldiers of this nation, runs just as red as any full-time soldier. Before you blog about something, you need to research it thoroughly. You have insulted some of the finest people who have sacrificed so much for this nation. Shame.
This post outraged me. This girl is obviously very nieve to the fact that Guardsmen and Guardswomen are deployed quite often now with the wars going on. I am not married to my Guardsman but we have a very strong relationship and we plan to get married, AFTER his deployment. As many have stated on behalf of their spouses, this will be his 2nd deploment in less than 4 years. As for this womans statement about how they come home after that 1 weekend a month and change our of their uniform and go back to the civilian world, my soldier doesn't get to do that. He works full time for the National Guard. So just like her Soldier, mine gets up every morning and puts that uniform on with pride. I don't care what branch of the military a supporting spouse or girlfriend comes from, whether it be Active, National Guard or Reserves, we all make the same sacrafies by choosing to be with a man/woman in uniform.
It hurts my soul to hear someone that I should be able to stand next to with pride for being the supporter of a soldier, say such awful things. So for all of you men and women out there in a relationship with a solider, thank you for making that sacrafice. I know its a hard one, but know that not all people are like this hardhead, misinformed "army wife". You will always have some sort of suport from your "Military Family"!!
Hooah!
There is only one important thing that makes a Soldier. Is your husband/wife willing to die for your country? If yes then they are a Soldier. It doesn't matter what they do, how long they are deployed, whether they are active duty or guard/reserve. Did they sign up for the military and signed willing to die for their country? Yes so they deserve the respect to be called a soldier. Its more then a lot of people can do.
Does it really matter what branch you are in, how long you have been in, how many tours you've done? Really soldiers, you are on a high horse right now. ALL soldiers of ALL branches deserve the SAME amount of respect. If you were ever educated and attended any FRG meetings, you would know that families back home do have it difficult, no not as difficult as you do but they fight their own battles.
National Guard was to originally fight on the National "HOME FRONT" well since 9/11 most Nat'l guard have been deployed, ohhh and wait, you might actually be surprised… they actually voulanteer to deploy… whoa! Isn't that something!
As for the facts of Guardsmen that are being brought up, My soldier, guardsman of 20 years, 3 deployments of OIF and OEF, one was less that 10 months of the last. Maybe they have to attend to civilian life after deployment, there are many guardsmen/women who are full time. As for spouses and this extra tax free money??? where the hell is the flipping money? Ya all don't make squat. If I was in my marriage for money and deployment then I'm a fool. There is no price tag on sacrifice and love. You hear me soldiers????? YOU SHOULD ALL BE PAID YOUR WEIGHT IN GOLD! You of course don't get paid what you are worth or deserve!!!! so what if you got burned Mr. John, NOT ALL SPOUSES are GOLD DIGGERS! We work harder when you are gone, we pick up more jobs, work over time, or hell those with children must quit their jobs because they can't afford daycare and working at the same time. I'm not sure where this extra money you think is getting sent home is… Hell, most soldiers … Ok, guards, get deployed, have to quit working their good money making job to only get paid combat pay… wow… really, so you tell me where in the hell the extra money is coming from… OH and the full time benefits they once had, we now get TriCare which most establishments don't accept.
I know plenty of soldiers who retire and then sign up as civilian contractors and make a TON of money, six figures, tax free no benefits, and yet they aren't on the front line but they make more than soldiers do. So stop with your pointing fingers at spouses being all about the money…
Spouses are the support group at home. We keep the home fires burning, while you put your life on the line, we keep the lines at home running. When the soldier and war haters here at home (yes there are lots of them) we fight the battle, take the blow and abuse from the public. We get asked if we are looking for sympathy, and attention. WE defend YOU while YOU are gone. You understand that soldier?
As for this sorry sap of a so called military wife… suck it sister… you burned your bridge… ALL SOLDIERS, ALL BRANCHES UNITE AS ONE… There is a respect amongst all soldiers, and their spouses. My Guard, was selected out of an elite group to do a mission that most other Army soldiers were not qualified to even think about. he also volunteered on another deployment that was 18 months… I'm not bragging, I'm proving a point… they are equal, they all stop their lives to save our country. Whats the flipping difference? As for the families? we all live in fear at home, we pay the bills, we take care of the families, we have to balance the budget, fix the things our heroes once did when they were home. WE are just as much soldiers as the soldiers themselves. ANYONE who has been thru ONE deployment should know, and shame on you who are degrading different branches and their spouses, Do you NOT listen in all the pre/post deployment meetings and reintergration? I'm disgusted in all that are against spouses and segregate each branch. All branches are important.
Hell ya I'm defensive… I'm defensive for ALL branches and their spouses… I suppose those who segregate branches also segregate people in the general public…. pretty crappy. We are all equal, don't let a few rotten apples ruin the whole bunch. And DONT be a rotten apple.
we military wifes of ALL branches sacrifice our lives too, don't ever underestimate the power of a military spouse…We don't ever underestimate you!
I know this is a few weeks old but here's my 2 cents:
1. She has been watching too many episodes of Army Wives.
2. Judging by the length of her marriage, she has no idea what regular military life is like.
3. If her husband is a 79R, she will probably never experience regular military life.
4. You can't fix stupid.
My husband is AGR but was prior AF and RA. I've experienced it from all sides and on his last deployment, the Pa NG he was attached to, are now life long friends.
I have been on both sides of this fence my husband was Army Active Duty when I met and married him he did his 6 years never deploying once and getting out in Jan 2005. We moved back "home" and about a year later he joined the Army National Guard. 4 years into his Guards duty he got deployed to Iraq. Being with the guard I didn't have anyone around who knew what I was going through and my FRG group was impossible to get in contact with so I was pretty much isolated. If he had been active duty I would have been near a base and had more access to family Support for my 2 kids and myself. So I think whether your and Army Guard wife or and Active Duty wife U have given just as much and both deserve the title of Army Wife.
I haven't read all the responses, but guess what. I was a Navy spouse for over 8 years. My husband left at the drop of a hat in back in the 80's and early 90's. He would leave with 36 hours notice with me being told he could be gone for 10 months and we had 3 children. I got tired of it and he got out of the Navy. After 9/11 he wanted to get back in and be a part of taking care of our nation. Despite my feelings we had already done our part, he joined the National Guard and was deployed to Iraq. Don't tell me I'm not a real Army Wife. At least when he was in the Navy, our family was taken care of. As a National Guard/Army wife, I was on my own. We didn't even get help getting our ID cards. The shit National Guard families have to put up with is beyond comprehention what the military should be allowing to happen. Regular military familes are taken care of, National Guard families are left to their own defenses to deal with the deployments and even getting to partake of the healthcare. They have to fight for everything when regular military families get it all handed to them. I have been on both sides of the fence. How dare you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. missy. If it makes you feel any better, I have a ranking of a Gold Star Mother. Regular Army!!!!
My guess is that this young woman is ignorant and full of herself. I also bet she has learned a few lessons from opening this can of worms. Hopefully she will cease judgement in the future. Every wife and mother face challenges, military wive even more so, no matter the branch or rank. Let's all be thankful for all of our soldiers and the families that make sacrifices to to support them, wives and children!
soooo stupid!!!! My husband is in the National Guard and he is a soldier as I am an army wife. He defends our country and puts his life at risk when he is called just as your husband does. My children go 18 months at a time without seeing there father just as your husband does also. So please realize that you are very very wrong sweetheart!! byeeee, proud army wife!!!!
Sounds like the early 70's all over again. During the Vietnam conflict, my husband was in the guards and getting grief from the regular army guys all during basic training at Ft Campbell KY, and 7 months at Fort Eustis, VA, during special training {aircraft electrician and instrument repairman. The RA's got to him so much that he was seriously considering going full time. I was able to talk him out of it by flying to VA at thanksgiving.
I gave birth to our oldest daughter 3 days after he left for basic training and he wasn't able to see her for the first time at his basic training graduation. Our baby and I moved to VA to be with him after baby and I spent a week in the hospital in IA, following a car accident.
I had always considered myself as an army wife for 20 years, Going thru major life changes by myself more than qualifies me an army wife.
So it's the SAME THING NOW, JUST A DIFFERENT WAR!
I am writing this in recognition and praise of all military spouses regardless of what service or component their spouses belong to. First of all thank you. Without your support your military spouse could not do their job. Recognizing your contributions is just as important as honoring the service of our men and women in uniform. When service members are away from their homes it is their spouses that assume the additional responsibilities and burdens associated with being a military spouse. They are the ones that have to juggle schedules, deal with problems on their own and explain to their children why daddy or mommy missed a birthday.
It is important to remember that we are all part of a larger military community. Our military spouses face the same challenges, demands and concerns associated with being married to a service member. Instead of finding reasons to discount or marginalize them I recommend we just say thank you to them.
MAJ Alan Gilman, Student, CGSC, Fort Gordon, Georgia. The views expressed in this response are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government
As the wife of a VERMONT ARNG soilder, hearing about this was a slap in the face! Amy B., you have done an amazing job of defending us disrespectful Vermont Army "wives", so thank you. Of course there is a difference between the full time military and the guards, but while overseas, there is absolutely no difference. My husband was on the front line at a COP just like others who were full time. They were in TICs several times a week. All war wounds are just that, war wounds. It dosn;t matter who you are, if you experience them, you feel it, on every level. Being in Vermont, my employer refused to acknowledge the new qualifications for the FMLA Bush signed into law years ago, and I had to deal with that, whereas I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have happened if I were living near a big base somewhere. The point is, we all suffer from the war, we all lose loved ones, and we all struggle while they are gone, and even when they return sometimes. Instead of scoffing at others, basically saying you aren't entitled to feel as proud of your husband as I am, shouldn't we all be there for each other? It's hard enough without trying to make it any harder.
I am tired of hearing about the Active Army and how tough it is on them. I was Army Reserve living in the Community in New York without the support of an Army Base. I left a wife who worked fulltime as well as a six year old and a three year old girl. My wife did not have the support of an active duty base nearby or the resources which are associated with that base. None of the programs that are available now for soldiers were in place when I was activated for the invasion of Iraq. I have no problem with serving as a reserve officer but the support that my family needed was not in place. Many active component soldiers have that support when they are on an active duty army base not National Guard and Reserve Soldiers who live in the communities the serve in.
Ok so this is my opinon.. I'm a real ARMY wife my (estrange now due to domestic violence) NATIONAL GUARDS husbands has been overseas twice. He never came home and took off that uniform he was active duty!! He was gone all the time I couldn't keep with what state he was in, doing this mission or that mission, or this school or that. Please tell me how it is any different oh and he's training to leave again next year if I can't get him arrested in time to stop it, since the the good oh army has been no help with my restraining order or domestic violence (which has left me disabled) or made him pay me my 1/2 of his BAH! But that's my lame ass SOB the GUARD are soilders the only thing my husband ever was and ever will be I was a proud wife do not take the hard hours we spend alone, or important dates are husbands have to miss serving this country away!!!
My family has a long line of military. Both of my grandfathers and my step grandfather were either Army or Navy, I have a smathering of cousins in the National Guard (along with my husband who is active) and I have several friends who are Marines. It doesn't matter what branch of the military you are in, you are entitled to the same things the rest of the soldiers are entitled too. Yeah National Guard is stateside (we are Alabama National Guard and my husband helped after the tornados that hit Bham two springs ago).
Okay, are a national guard wife I will agree that some wives are horrible (higher ranking normally) and the smaller the town the worse the FRG gets. I went to one FRG meeting and they were all decked out in their fancy gear and Coach sunglasses while I was still in clothes I went to work in! But honestly, we as wives should be able to count on one and other in times of need, such as a deployment or their long ass camps instead of being so hostile.
I believe in a strong support system, not a half assed half, baked one.
You offer a great review of her comments. Personally, I've served on Active Duty and the ARNG as an Officer and both have their own unique set of challenges. Personally, I think serving in the ARNG is much more difficult than serving on Active Duty, because you don't get to do Soldier stuff 24/7. We must remain proficient as a "part-time" Soldier and keep our civilian day jobs. In addition, the Active Duty has better support channels for their family members than the ARNG does.
If I was going to compare the two, I would simply say they are very different. But that doesn't make the Active Duty any more a Soldier than a Guardsmen or Reservist. And the ARNG spouses aren't less of an Army spouse than an Active Duty spouse. At least Active Duty spouses are expecting their spouse to be gone and deploy, whereas the ARNG and USAR aren't.
Just my thoughts. Great blog you got here.
<Army Brat/Air Force wife> Oh! Thank you for the laugh I needed tonight!
I have been a Guard Wife for over 8 years now and I take this to heart. My husband has been deployed 2x already and is gearing up for his 3rd this winter. To me what is most amazing is the fact that some people think that as a Guard family we have it easier than the rest. My husband missed both of his daughters first year due to deployments. We have been married for 6 years and only spent 3 of our anniversaries together. Because we are in the Guard my husband had to go on special orders to help gear up for his deployment and we now don't get to see him much for the next 5 months because his post is 2 1/2 hours away. He will come home for 2 months and than leave for just under a year for his deployment. I have to go through all the hardship that a "Army Wife" has to and I have well earned my right to be a military spouse. My husband is just as much a soldier as anyone else. A soldier to me is a person that fights for this country no matter what the consequences. A person that loves there family and friends so much that they will lay there life down to protect the freedoms that we have.
An Army Spouse to me is someone that has to live parts of there life without their spouse, take care of the kids and the day to day things alone. We have to be brave and carry great strength, we have to hold on tight to the memories that we have. We have to hold down the fort while they are gone. Hide our tears and show our support. A soldier is a soldier and a spouse is a spouse! No matter the rank or the unit a soldier is a soldier and a military spouse is a military spouse. We have to go through the same things. I live in a small community away from any military affiliation, away from the majority of my husbands unit. Instead of break down and feel alone I take pride in what my husband is doing and will stay strong for him and our children. I am proud to be a Military Spouse. Everyone's story is different but we all are gathered around men and woman who serve this country! We all love the same, we all shed the same tears…there should be no difference in what we are called because of what our spouse does. I will forever use the words Military Spouse. Because in the end, that is what we are!
Actually, you're dead wrong. No one is demanding she has the same viewpoint. People are trying to correct her misconceptions about the military. She can continue to believe whatever she wants. However facts are facts. National Guard Soldiers ARE real Army soldiers. National Guard wives ARE real Army wives. Whatever she believes doesn't change those facts. So no one is demanding that she "supports the same viewpoint" . She's wrong. Plain and simple. There is no "viewpoint". There is only fact.
While it's obvious you're a troll, your argument has no consistancy. So only she has first amendment rights? She's allowed to attack an entire group of people with factual inaccuracies in a public blog and they have no right to say anything about it? You're correct… she can write whatever comes into mind… and so can everyone else. It's not the job of mil-bloggers to go after her? Then how is it her job to go after them? (people she's never been around) Try again….
Hi, hon. I'm sorry you feel lost and alone up there. My friend who was a part of the unit has gone active duty and they are now in a different area. I'm sure she would be glad to talk with you, though. There are also a number of online resources that I've discovered as I've been coping with my husband's injury and subsequent PTS and other things. Feel free to shoot me an email at sissyben at gmail dot com. I will link you up with as much stuff as I've found, and offer an ear for those days you feel like you just can't go on anymore. The PTSD cripples them, but it also cripples us in a way as we try to keep it all together. You're not alone, even though it really feels like it.