When I Think of a Military Spouse
by Jenn Smitherman
When my soon to be husband still in tech school uttered the words “assignment to Guam” my first reaction was where in the world is that. I had only heard of the place in my history books. The next reaction was “I’m going too!” I didn’t even think of what the outcome was going to be or what it would be like to be a military spouse. My high school sweetheart flew me down for the weekend to Sheppard AFB to get engaged. Two months later we got married and four months later at 19 years old, I was on a plane for the second time in my life going half way around the world. I will not go into what my mother was thinking.
Before this I didn’t know anything about the Air Force let alone military life as a whole. My father was in the Air Force as an airplane mechanic but it was well before my time. I didn’t know it but what my Father learned in the USAF he taught me for which I am thankful. It helped me transform into the military spouse I am today. I learned so much from him and in our first assignment. I still use that knowledge today.
When I think of the military spouse I think of so many good things that go with those words. People think of family, loneliness, moving all the time, deployments and small pay. I see those things but also I see strong understanding, helping my country, honor, and good work ethic. I fill myself with pride when I think of what I do on a day-to-day basis. When people say I could never do what you do. I think to myself “Not many can.” We are just as strong as our spouses in a lot of ways. I believe that I have the best job in the world and I do it to my best of my ability so my husband can do his job without having to worry what is going on in the home. I think it is an honor to be a military spouse and not just a wife. I wonder about my husband’s troops when they are on deployments or if they have a place for Thanksgiving. I try not to take for granted the time I have with my husband because who knows when he will be gone again. I make sure that my child knows that he is loved and what daddy does for a living is an important job. You cannot be complacent if you want to be a good military spouse. Your work ethic has to match your spouse. They work hard for their country so you need to work hard as well. They need you just has you need them.
It goes unsaid that it takes a strong person to make a marriage work but it takes an even stronger person to do that and be a military spouse. I don’t know if the saying is true that our job is the toughest but it ranks up there. I love to see other spouses getting together and learning from each other. Our spouses have their way to relive stress so should we. We need a break now and then or just a shoulder to cry on.
We have a lot of sub-titles like, bus driver, home decorator, chef, boo-boo kisser, welcome wagon and cheerleader but it all falls under the title of military spouse. If it weren’t for us where would the military be today? My mother once in the Navy told me a saying “If the military wanted you to have a spouse we would have issued you one.” Over the years that saying has been changing and we are getting recognized for what we do but we are still the silent ranks and that is ok because we know who we are and what we do. We are the proud, the strong, the military spouse.
Military OneSource
No question too small. No issue too big. Military OneSource
In June of 2004 the Defense Department established a “one stop” service where military members and their families can find assistance with any kind of problem, from common everyday difficulties to life’s most complicated situations. It is called Military OneSource and it is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at no cost.
Military OneSource is a compliment to the services provided by the Airman and Family Readiness Center. In utilizing the internet and toll free phone numbers military members and their families can begin to get help no matter where or when a crisis occurs or information is needed. Military OneSource allows families to make a phone call or access the website and bring important services to their home.
The phone calls are answered by professionals with Masters Degrees in Social Work or Counseling. They are able to provide assistance in more than 100 languages and are trained to deal with military issues. The counselors do not make judgments. They listen, evaluate and provide answers.
All families have issues. Military families are special and sometimes face unique difficulties. It is comforting to know that the support is available, anytime, anywhere.
www.militaryonesource.com
Toll free phone numbers for Military OneSource are:
From the US 1-800-342-9647
From outside the US (where available, use applicable access code) 1-800-3429-6477
Collect from outside the US 1-484-530-5980