Posts by Tara:
AWTR Show 424: It Gets Easier…And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers
June 17th, 2013
Army Wife Talk Radio is the leading internet talk radio show for Army wives, by Army wives. AWTR is hosted by the Army Wife Network Core Team – www.ArmyWifeNetwork.com. AWTR guests bring exciting, relevant topics and resources to the attention of our military families.
Main Guest: Claudine Wolk, “It Gets Easier!… And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers”
Resource of the Week: Fathead.com
Click here to download the MP3
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
Going Civilian
June 3rd, 201315 years ago I embarked on the journey of military life. Up until that point, civilian life was all I knew. So, military life seemed a whole lot like some crazy cult.
I was scared, and nervous. Upon our first visit to an installation I remember just thinking that all of the buildings were brown or brick with signs with numbers – they all looked the same. How was I supposed to tell the difference between each one and know where I was?
When we arrived our first duty station I just felt completely overwhelmed. I had moved with my civilian job and my soldier had stayed behind for training at another installation. I spent the first eight months of our military life not doing anything military, avoiding it at all costs. I built a life, and friends, right outside of the installation while ignoring everything it took place on it. Worked for me.
When my husband arrived at our now joint location he thought it was very odd that I had not participated in anything at all. I remember the first time he took me to the PX or to the commissary to look around and buy groceries. All of the stuff just seemed so strange. Why did they have to see my ID to enter this building?
Of course, most anyone who has ever heard me speak knows the story of when the FRG first called me. They wanted me to come to a “mandatory” meeting and to bake cookies. I told the lady (bless her heart) that nothing was mandatory because I wasn’t in the military and that I don’t bake (which is completely untrue). Ya, I was a pain in the butt.
Eventually, I accepted this life and started to figure out all of this crazy. So much so, that this “crazy” became the norm.
I have spent many years of my life not even knowing that there were any other grocery stores other than the Commissary or Walmart because we were stationed no where near a regular grocery let alone a Target. I’ve forgotten what it was like to shop in a big real mall or eating in a fancy restaurant because the only time I get to visit one is when I return home to our state of record.
In return for giving up all that though, I was able to dig in to this military life. I didn’t ever think that was something to trade but it is. Things are missing that I once thought were essential but now I have replaced them with friends and volunteer work. Those common trip to the mall, grocery, and restaurants, now became family adventures. I traded all of that modern convenience for the “inconvenience ” of traveling the world, exploring new places, and meeting new friends.
Now, those things seem essential. They seem convenient and normal.
(My Ah-ha! moment) I have created a new normal.
Now, today, my normal is changing. It must be recreated. We are moving from the military life we have known out into civilian life. My husband is on an assignment no where near a military installation. I didn’t expect this day to come for at least another five years, well into retirement.
You see, all of that craziness that I thought that military life was before I will miss. Terribly. I will miss watching my children stand for retreat at 5 PM. I will miss TAPS at 11 PM. I will miss my gate guards. I will miss the respect. I will miss the Commissary prices and the gas discount at AAFES. I will miss my crazy neighbors (shhh don’t tell them). I will miss MWR and ACS. I will miss the community.
I will miss fitting in and feeling a part of something bigger than myself. I hope our civilian community is embracing of our family. I’m sure it will be …I will be fine. I know I will. I will because my military life has taught me how to adapt and change with my new terrain. It’s taught me to reach out and make friends faster and easier. It’s taught me what is important in life.
Like a military wife always does, I will embrace the change with all of my might. Let’s be honest though… not without being nervous, not without being scared, and not without all of the civilian life seeming like it’s some crazy cult.
AWTR Show 421: Understanding Your Service(wo)man
May 27th, 2013
Army Wife Talk Radio is the leading internet talk radio show for Army wives, by Army wives. AWTR is hosted by the Army Wife Network Core Team – www.ArmyWifeNetwork.com. AWTR guests bring exciting, relevant topics and resources to the attention of our military families.
Main Guest: Yvonne Jones, author “Closing The Gap: Understanding Your Service(Wo)man”.
Resource of the Week: Army Woof
AWTR Show 419: Armed Forces Insurance(r) Military Spouse of the Year 2013 – Alicia Hinds Ward
May 13th, 2013
Army Wife Talk Radio is the leading internet talk radio show for Army wives, by Army wives. AWTR is hosted by the Army Wife Network Core Team – www.ArmyWifeNetwork.com. AWTR guests bring exciting, relevant topics and resources to the attention of our military families.
Main Guest: 2013 Armed Forces Insurance(r) Military Spouse of the Year – National Guard Spouse – Alicia Hinds Ward
Resource of the Week: Kinder Jam
Click here to download the MP3
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog
AWTR Show 418: First Lady of the Marine Corps Recommended Reading List
May 6th, 2013
Army Wife Talk Radio is the leading internet talk radio show for Army wives, by Army wives. AWTR is hosted by the Army Wife Network Core Team – www.ArmyWifeNetwork.com. AWTR guests bring exciting, relevant topics and resources to the attention of our military families.
Main Guest: FLOTMC Bonnie Amos, First Lady of the Marine Corps Recommended Reading List
Resource of the Week: Successful Military Wife
Click here to download the MP3
Visit Army Wife Network and Loving A Soldier Blog