Re: ahhh... to be a military wife

It's just an adjustment from being around all men, all the time....and from miles and miles and miles of ocean. I think it's the dry land that is sobering.

My Dad chose the Navy because of it's separation from actual combat (unless the ship was attacked!) He was at the end of WWII however, but never saw any action. He was also there during the major evacuation in Viet Nam, but again, that was from a ship.

He said the following:

"A fire at sea can ruin your entire day"...carved on a piece of ship hull, hanging in my parents kitchen! I've been around military families and wives for my entire childhood. It's a very hard life. The pay is bad, and you are lucky to get military quarters (sometimes!) I've lived in everything from a quonset hut to a 20 bedroom, 5 story 200 year old mansion). My Mom always volunteered at Navy Relief, and she really felt for the enlisted men's wives. They are often lonely, out of state from their family, sometimes with kids, and little money. I have no idea what it's like anymore in the military, but I'm assuming that it is just as difficult.

Luckily Dad was home more than he was out to sea, but my friends suffered greatly. And the wives did all sorts of crazy things.....there was a ton of substance abuse (I'm sure you've seen that), depression, child abuse, all manners of things. It takes a lot of guts and stamina to be a military wife.

Hang in there. He'll be walking in that door soon enough, safe and sound.

Love, Molly