The saying “married to the military” holds some truth for military spouses. Service members don’t serve alone. They serve with their spouses, and with their family. It takes a particular kind of person to be a military spouse, one that is is supportive, proud, courageous, resourceful, patient, flexible, resilient and dedicated. It is not a commitment for the faint or weak. Military spouses grow to meet the challenges this everchanging life throws at them and bloom whenever they are planted.
1| Supportive
A military spouse is supportive of not only their service member and children but also of other military spouses and their families. They know firsthand what it’s like to move to a new community or to be left to keep the house running while their service member is on their first or third deployment. No matter what the circumstance is, it is comforting to know that you have fellow military spouses who are also in your shoes or can relate to you and will offer you help, support and encouragement. They are there to help and support other spouses who are also going through those same experiences.
2| Proud
Proud to be an American. Proud of their spouse. Proud to be a military spouse. Proud to serve our country. Military spouses have a lot to be proud of, and they show it.
3| Courageous
New things can be terrifying. Deployments can be terrifying. Not knowing can be terrifying. But military spouses are strong and courageous, they own the terrifying.
4| Resourceful
A military spouse makes the most with what they have. They know how to use what they’ve got and where to find new resources. Most importantly, they are always willing to share those valuable resources with their fellow military families. Check out our resources!
5| Patient
Patience is a virtue. Even though patience can be one of the hardest things to keep, a military spouse knows how to be (impatiently) patient, because they have to be. Without it, frustration, anxiety and fear can build up and can get you stuck in the world of what if. Patience isn’t something that comes naturally. Patience is a developed trait – why? Because we are always waiting…waiting on orders (with a gut feeling we will end up somewhere like 29 Palms)…waiting to book a family vacation because leave blocks will change five times…waiting for the notification that deployment is extended. Military life is a constant waiting game.
6| Flexible
Change is the only constant in the military. A military spouse is flexible and able to accommodate last minute changes, deployments and days in the field. They have to go with the flow and continue living their lives even when their service member is on duty or deployed.
7| Resilient
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It’s the military spouse’s ability to keep it together when their kids ask a million times, “where’s daddy?” It’s their ability to handle all the things that go wrong when Murphy’s Law strikes. It’s their ability to handle any unforeseen circumstance. It may not be handled with tact…but it gets handled. Change is inevitable when it comes to military life. It’s how a military spouse endures the change and hardship that makes them resilient.
8| Dedicated
A military spouse is dedicated to their service member and to serving their country by holding down the homefront. Dedication and love are what keeps them going, even when they’re exhausted. Tired of deployments, tired of moving, tired of the unknown – they keep pressing on. Their faith and perseverance are what hold together their family allowing their service member to focus solely on mission readiness.
If you’re a military spouse, we thank you, we honor you and we are here to support you. Read here for more information about out our organization and apply for services.
