[Allheart]

Hi - I was just thinking (mistake # 1 I know) If there are any military spouses out there.
Was wondering if you wouldn't mind giving the rest of us some insight. Maybe answer some questions.

1) How do you do it? When your other half is away. How hard is it actually. From the emotional sadness to the difficulty in running the home all on your own?

2) What is it actually like to hear that once again your other half is being moved or being deployed?

I hope I am not stirring up emotions or difficulties and making things worse. I ask these questions, because I myself am so amazed at what all of you do.

I am hoping maybe some insight to the rest of us can maybe give some perspective of the amount of sacrifice that is involved. Not just during war time but anytime in the military, but of course, war time especially.

I also hope that maybe you have a place to come to and write down some of your thoughts and feelings, maybe ease your stress just a little.

Thank you for your time. Believe me your insight I think would be priceless to those of us
That never walked in your shoes.

[Emland]

I am now a Navy Wife (Ret.) - my hubby served for 20 years and got out last year. He is 39 years old and drawing a pension. Sweet!

How do you do it? You just do. No matter how hard it was for me to be here with the kids alone, I always realized how hard it was for him. His quarters consisted of a rack with a crappy foam mattress inside a berthing that he shared with 40 other men which he described smelling of F & A (feet and a$$). The inside of the ship would "rain" with condensation and the showers that give a 5 second burst of cold water to wash with. While he was at one command he had to work shifts of 6 on/6 off while they were underway because there were only a couple of guys qualified to do what he did.

We pretty much knew when he was getting underway, unlike the Army which has less notice especially now in war time. The weeks leading up to the deployment always get stressful and you pick fights for no reason and tear up easily (on my part). It is a part of getting ready to separate, I believe. As bad as being apart is, there is nothing like a Navy homecoming with all the sailors manning the rails. I still get all misty whenever the news shows a ship coming in and my man hasn't been attached to a ship in years.

A person considering marrying a service member really needs to give it a lot of thought. If there is a hurricane, guess what - they aren't going to be there to help you at the house - they are going with the ship to move it out of harms way; they may not be there for the birth of your child(ren); they WILL miss each holiday and anniversary and birthday at some point. If you are a needy person that can't order pizza by yourself - then marrying a active duty or reservist is not for you!

I haven't had the opportunity to use my blinkies in a while, thanks for thread!

[Allheart]

I am now a Navy Wife (Ret.) - my hubby served for 20 years and got out last year. He is 39 years old and drawing a pension. Sweet!


We pretty much knew when he was getting underway, unlike the Army which has less notice especially now in war time. The weeks leading up to the deployment always get stressful and you pick fights for no reason and tear up easily (on my part). It is a part of getting ready to seperate, I believe. As bad as being apart is, there is nothing like a Navy homecoming with all the sailors manning the rails. I still get all misty whenever the news shows a ship coming in and my man hasn't been attached to a ship in years.

Em,

First, thank you so much for taking the time to give us insight to one of the most incredibly giving ways of life.

There is nothing more beautiful or touching than seeing a ship pulling in. The tears just stream and the pride just beams!

Thank you Thank you Thank you

I can not even imagine what it would be like to see my hubby sailing away knowing it would be for at least 6 months. Bless you and your family for that incredible sacrifice.