Military Life Tips
Just a little background about the military stations we’ve been to along with military wife tips, links and more. Many find this information helpful. Hopefully you’ll find something knowledgeable here. Please do no distribute this information without providing my link and giving credit. I wrote all this information years ago for a support group and since I’ve had it on the web I’ve saw some forums using it without giving credit. Yeah, that’s uncool.
Where we’ve been…
The husband attended bootcamp at RTC/Recruit Training Command, San Diego, California (1993). He was with Company 117. After boot, he was stationed on beautiful Coronado Island at NAB Coronado. He was with ACB-1 Bravo Company and served a sea duty tour. During this time, he flew to Pohang, Korea doing unrep training. After this enlistment, he was classified as Inactive Naval Reserve and served three years inactive.
We later discussed military life and made a decision together, he reenlisted and he attended “A” School at Ft Jackson, SC. Orders were issued and we went to NAVSTA San Diego. We really loved it there, at 32nd Street. He was a a PC(SW) attached to the Curts. While onboard, they completed a 6 month deployment starting in February. The ship made transit through the channels of the Panama Canal. Some places visited were: Acapulco, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Panama, St Thomas Virgin Islands, Guatemala, San Andrea Island, Coumbia, The Florida Keys, and Mayport, FL. They also completed a 5 month CARAT Cruise that began a year or so later, in August. While in CA, he graduated BIT (instructor school). Then, we PCS’ed to Fort Jackson, SC.
Ft Jax wasn’t so great. He was an instructor there. Pretty easy, laidback job. Being Navy on an Army post was an adjustment… and the city itself wasn’t somewhere we really wanted to be. After a few years there, we decided this was the end of the military life for us. He didn’t want to go back to sea duty and we didn’t want to ship out to Japan so we decided to became civilians, again (2002). Now, we are where we are today.
It isn’t easy and being a Military Spouse. We must be prepared for anything! Often known as the “Silent Ranks”. We aren’t the one who goes out to sea, but we are the ones left behind. We have to be strong & willing to belong.
Wife Tips & Ideas for Children:
I just wanted to share a few tips and/or ideas that I am aware of and have came across throughout my years as a military wife. Below are a few things I’ve listed (in no specific order) to do and/or remember:
Have Patience,
Have and Show Courage,
Have Tolerance,
Learn to be Independent,
Prepare Yourself,
Communicate,
Keep Busy,
Get a Routine Started,
Make New friends,
Contact Old Friends,
Be Involved,
Have Encouragement,
Have and Show Pride,
Take Part in Services & Programs the Military Offers,
Gather ALL Documents & Important Papers,
Keep Copies of Certificates, SS Cards, Etc.,
Keep An Updated Power of Attorney(including Medical),
Keep LES on hand (Most Recent),
Have Living Wills Written,
Don’t Count down days!
These are just a FEW, yet important, things to do and/or remember! Odds are, if you’re a military spouse, you’re loved one will be spending time away from home- whether it is 2 days or 6 months, (or longer in some cases) you will be in charge of bills,cooking, cleaning, etc. Never give up hope– it may seem hard– which it can be– But you CAN survive! With the right attitude, support and knowledge you’ll be able to make it and then have something to be VERY proud of! During long deployments (or short ones) be prepared for things to go wrong. It happens to some. Have someone’s number with you at all times incase of such problems! Know the locations and phone #’s of your FSC and NMCRS. Avoid depression, and keep a positive and happy attitude! One day you’ll look back on what you’ve survived and be proud!
For Children:
Don’t forget you’re children need to stay busy and involved too! They have a hard time dealing with separation as well as adults! Keep the memory alive of Mom or Dad when they’re out to sea! Record video tapes before a deployment! (This really worked great, my son) He LOVED this idea and watched the tape almost daily by his own choice! We still cherish those tapes. This gives the child reassurance that dad/mom is still in the picture. My son would tell me he wanted to watch daddy on TV. This was the most “life saver” w/ surviving a six month deployment with a toddler. Do finger paintings, coloring book pages and drawings to send to their dad/mom.
They’ll love the idea of writing them! Let them send email, even if you can’t read it…. it sure means a lot to the other parent far away! Depending on age– let your children help in baking cookies and making things for a CARE package. Remember– Always let your children speak to their dad/mom when they call… they want to talk as much as you do! Always tell your children that daddy/mommy loves them and misses them! Let the deploying parent buy the child a shirt or pillow or something of that nature to snuggle with– keep pictures around. Have the deployed parent send your children T-shirts or postcards from each port! (My husband did this and our son was thrilled that he received all these things from dad!) Remind them to send postcards addressed to the child! Every little thing makes a difference! Take the child to the pier when their Dad/Mom gets home! There was nothing more rewarding than the look on our sons face when Daddy came pulling in! =) Until that day arrives– make a paper chain, and break a link for each day passed (don’t count them though!) or fill a jar with jelly beans or your favorite candy (in the amount of days deployed) and eat one per day! Hope I’ve helped some! If you have any questions or need some tips on something– I’ll do my best to help, just let me know.
August 4th, 2005 at 3:34 pm
I’m ex-Navy and was stationed, for a time, at NTSTN over on Pt. Loma, but I left active duty in 1983! Yikes, I’m old!
________________________________________
Reply from TNChick: I use to go over to Point Loma… some of our friend were over there but it was in the early/mid 90’s.
January 8th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Geez, Nat, I end up following you all over the place!
I surfed in from “Just Playin’, and I link to Nat and JP.
________________________________________
Reply from TNChick: No problem, thanks for droppin’ in
May 19th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Hi! I surfed from someone’s site that had a creds link to you! These tips are great! I am a 14 year active duty Army vet, now an Army wife, also having been stationed at Fort Jackson! ::hugs::
August 21st, 2006 at 11:40 am
I’m a ex military spouse, my husband retired from the Army 3.5yrs ago. We lived in MO, HI, TN, MO, Ok and HI.
We have 2 kids, Alex, my 8th grader and Grace my 2nd grader.
We have a lot in common.
September 1st, 2006 at 12:50 am
TNChick; Tell your hubby, one of my older brothers trained at Fort Jackson, SC for Vietnam. He served and came home. I was a tot. But it was an emotional roller coaster, you’re right. Great tips!
September 15th, 2006 at 11:36 pm
Great tips! Your 100 things, your About Me page..I read both and we have TONS in common. I bumped into your site through the Photo Hunt you have. I ADORE photography and photo editing/manips in PSP/PI…and I would LOVE to do the hunt but don’t have the time. It’s a fabulous idea though!
Anyway, nice to “meet” you, wanted to let you know I love your site. Ooo…and I see my friend Kiki has visited you too! lol!
Brandy, 15+ year Navy Wife-married to a career sailor, former Ombudsman (2x), Navy Brat from birth
March 20th, 2007 at 1:01 am
Very nice blog…informational, interesting and very classy.
Hey, would you mind linking to our Desert Vets site? We’re a veterans organization dedicated to veterans of the desert wars. I think many of your readers may be intertested in us.
We appreciate it and I’ll keep reading.
–Stacy
Sergeant S.W. Foster
US Army
http://www.DesertVets.org
http://www.IraqfromtheWindow.com
http://www.SgtScorpion.com
April 24th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
I’m soo glad that you have this on here. I have an old flame (which still burns bright in my heart) that broke up with me right before basic, cause he was scared that I wouldn’t be there when he got back. We’re going to give it one more shot when he gets back from Iraq, because we both feel SO much for each other. I felt like I was going to go crazy (yeah I’ve been counting the days and watching the news) and this really helped me to calm down and breathe. Thank you soo much!