Military Spouse Network
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This is one of those moments that you hope is perfect; advice on making the most of homecoming.
One of the most anxiety-ridden times for a military family is right before homecoming. There is often a high level of uncertainty about how the service member responded to the difficulties of deployment.
We asked readers about the stress of homecoming and collected some great ideas for how to ease it and make sure things go off without a hitch for you and your family. See More
Many times a key part of coping with a deployment is keeping the mind busy. It sounds simple enough, but when military spouses are facing six months to a year without their spouse, trying to stay busy can get exhausting.
Making a deployment bucket list can ease the burden a bit and turn the months of deployment into a time for personal growth. It’s OK to spend some time considering what you can accomplish before your spouse returns, from travel and career building to fitness and social interaction.
Here are some popular ideas to consider:
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Facebook is a great tool for helping military families stay connected but requires sound judgment about what’s shared.
The hardest thing about being deployed is being separated from loved ones. In the last few years, social media has changed everything, allowing military families to stay in touch from halfway around the world. But with all that progress comes the need for restraint and responsibility.
Claire Shackleford’s recent post on OPSEC outlined the “Dos and Don’ts” for protecting critical information and helping to keep our troops safe at home and on the battlefield. But even information that might not be considered critical can still be harmful if not handled through the proper channels. Here’s a truly awful example. See More
Army Wives has been criticized for inaccurately representing the life of a military spouse.
Media representation of veterans and their families is a near-constant hot topic in military circles. TV producers, film directors and other media creators can easily exaggerate or mischaracterize military families and reinforce negative stereotypes.
The Lifetime network first introduced its show Army Wives in 2007. Many segments of the military community eagerly anticipated the series, which was primarily written by a military spouse. Army Wives has since become the highest-rated show in Lifetime’s history. See More
Joining the military is an experience like no other. Marrying into this lifestyle can be very intimidating, even if a couple has been dating longterm beforehand.
We asked readers at our Military Spouse Central Facebook page to share their advice new military spouses. They rose to the occasion, submitting dozens of excellent tips to help new military spouses start off on the right foot. Below are some of the most common military spouse tips shared:
Find a battle buddy and you’ll have a friend who always knows what you’re going through.
I decided to bust some of the more common military myths. While I think people are generally supportive of military families, the disconnect between civilian and military families is growing. For example, I was talking with a friend the other day about the chore of filing annual income taxes when she blurted out: ”Your husband doesn’t pay taxes, though!” I was taken aback by this person’s assumption that military service somehow gets veterans “off the hook” when it comes to paying their share.
This military-civilian disconnect can lead to some serious misunderstandings, so I want to set the record straight on the most common military myths I have heard regarding spouses and families.
Military spouses know how to hold down the fort while their spouse is deployed, but there are times when he or she just needs a momentary distraction from it all. Spouses may go to work and keep busy, but many can’t escape even fleeting feelings of loneliness or worry.
If that’s the case, here are some fun ways to distract the mind a little and cope with the hardship of deployment. See More
Military spouses endure a lot of challenges living the military lifestyle. Some obvious ones include deployments, PCSs and constantly changing circumstances. Beyond the day-to-day, some spouses have to deal with the additional challenge of assuring their spouse they are invested and willing to hang tough in the face of uncertainty and often trying times.
It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. Here are a few ways you can express solidarity and work to ensure your military spouse knows you’ll always be there for them: See More
Part of military life is travel. Service members accept the possibility of deployment abroad, and they even expect it to some degree. What may not come to mind is falling in love with somebody who isn’t a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Although it may not be expected, service members do establish romantic relationships with significant others overseas or with permanent residents who are already residing in the United States. Unfortunately marrying a service member does not simplify the application process for naturalization, it just makes the process a little different. However, that should not deter military members’ spouses from pursuing U.S. naturalization if they want.
Here’s a quick overview of a few things required of those who want to naturalize: See More
There may come a time in life when an adult is forced to take care of his or her own car without any experience. For me, it was last week when my oil light clicked on and I had no idea what to do. I called a friend:
“When was the last time your oil was changed?”
“I don’t know. The last time my dad did it?”
Right then I knew, it was time to learn the basics of an automobile. Whether you find yourself away from your typical “mechanic,” acquire the extra responsibility during a deployment, or just want to know your car better, here are six basic checks you should know:
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