Military life isn’t always fun, and it’s definitely not always easy. But it’s not without some redeeming qualities.
In fact, when we asked our Facebook readers to share their favorite things about military life, they were quick to come up with a long list of answers. We may not think about the positive side of military life while we’re in the middle of a deployment or playing the hurry up and wait game for orders, but there really are some awesome aspects of this crazy roller coaster of a life we live.
Need a reminder? Here are our top 5 reasons why we love being military spouses:
1. We’re suckers for a man in uniform. Who needs Richard Gere or Tom Cruise in a uniform when we have the real thing at home? But it goes beyond the sexiness factor. That uniform inspires a sense of pride. We’re proud of our servicemembers for their integrity, their selflessness, the goals they achieve and the sacrifices they make to protect our way of life. And that’s just as sexy as the uniform itself.
2. Military benefits really do benefit us. Tricare. Military discounts. Commissaries. There are so many military benefits available for servicemembers and their families, I don’t think we’re even aware of them all! We may not always have the kindest words to share when it comes to things like military healthcare facilities or resources for family support, but at the end of the day, we can take comfort in the knowledge that we do have healthcare for our families and resources available to us when we need support. The military truly does want to take care of its families.
3. Join the military, see the world! Yes, it’s true that sometimes we use the word “adventure” as an attempt to put a positive spin on a disastrous moving experience or a year in the worst duty station on the planet. But military life truly is an exciting adventure. The military allows us to travel all over the globe, to live in or visit places we probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to see otherwise. We expose ourselves and our children to various cultures. We’re not just military spouses. We’re world travelers.
4. Friends become family. Our community is so close that our friends turn into our military family. Our MilSpouse friends know what we’re going through without explanation. We keep in touch despite time and distance. We support each other. We take care of each other. Most of us never would have met these irreplaceable, lifelong friends without the military.
5. Homecomings! Need I say more?
Military life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, but I’d like to think the positives outweigh the negatives. What are your favorite parts of military life? Why do you love about being a military spouse?
About Heather Sweeney
Comments
Communication!! You learn how to better communicate with your spouse while they’re gone and make your marriage much more wonderful. And you get to appreciate them being home more than if they were around constantly.
Communication!! You learn how to better communicate with your spouse while they’re gone and make your marriage much more wonderful. And you get to appreciate them being home more than if they were around constantly, as well as getting to have your ‘firsts’ all over again. There is never a dull moment with being a proud mil spouse!
Tabitha, first off, thanks for having a response that actually pertains to the article. I COMPLETLY agree and I loved your answer! For me, I love how it changes your outlook and attitude; you can either choose to be pessimistic about PCSing, deployments, etc OR you can optimistically view these as opportunities for growth and change! Pretty much the epitome of “glass half full vs glass half empty”
what about male military spouses? What is there for us as a sub-sub culture to be ready for?
male military spouse don't get anything. there is nothing for us. not unless you want to scrapbook and extreme coupon while playing bunco and gossiping. being a male spouse shows where sexism still exists. divorce rates are much higher for civilian males married to female servicemembers. the military has no clue (or real desire) how to handle male spouse. sure, we are the minority, but it explains the high divorce rates, and speaks to female retention rates. the problem is spouse groups are still wife groups. say what you want, call it a spouse club. they are not inclusive of men. being a male spouse sucks.
There are plenty of female spouses who also feel tossed to the side because they do not enjoy these things either. And the military has no idea how to deal with them either. Maybe male spouses and no traditional female spouses should band together?
i dont scrapbook, extreme coupon, play bunco or gossip. I am at work 9-6 Monday through Friday and watching football on weekends. So if you want to meet for happy hour and NOT play bunco I would be more than happy, male or female.
The author asked what are your favorite parts of military life, not what you are ticked off about. If you don't like how things operate at your spouse's unit, then get involved and try to change things. I, for one, do not scrapbook, extreme coupon, play bunco, or gossip about other spouses and I don't assume that is what is most popular among military spouses. I take the time to get to know people and I spend time with those who have similar interests. Not everyone's needs can be met and its up to the individual to find ways to meet his/her needs. First thing is to get involved in the unit's Family Readiness program and make your voice heard. How is anyone supposed to know what you need unless you speak up. Bitching does not initiate change, action does.
I have a male friend whose spouse is in the Air Force. When they first got married, he high-fived me because we both have parents in the military and now our spouses are military. He’d agree with the list above, and maybe change #1 to my spouse is a ******. Cuz his wife is just plain awesome.
That should have said bad a**. Like in a “my spouse is just plain awesome” kind of way.
I’m really don’t care for #1 either, especially since marines don’t roll their sleeves in the desert camis anymore. :X
I agree that there isn't a "male support " group but I remember once giving a male spouse a call…the same I gave the female spouses, asking him to call if he needed anything. And he immediately accused me of coming on to him! I never called him again. Regardless if you are a male or female spouse, you need to make yourself available for the help and support that is there for everyone.
I am a new military wife and am trying to go to be with my husband in Germany. The last thing that I need are my vaccinations and I do not know where I can get information on the places I can go . The nearest place they gave me to go was almost 5 hours from me. There has to be another closer option. Can someone please help me?
If you’re near a base, have a copy of his orders with you and see if they will schedule an appointment for your vaccines. They should, but who knows since every base is a tad different in terms of compliance. You might could try your regular physician or a hospital. Have a copy of his orders regardless because you’ll need them for everything. Hope this helps!