14. Not carefully checking your belongings for damages both before AND after the movers handle them.
13. Isolating yourself from “all those crazy mil spouses” because of stories you heard about how they all wear their husband’s rank.
12. Forgetting that not all military spouses are females and not all service members are men!
11. Not being familiar with base protocol, like stopping your car when the National Anthem is played.
10. Not getting the specific Power of Attorney documents you need before a deployment. A general POA does not always work in every situation.
9. Returning a salute to the guard at the gate when they accidentally salute you first.
8. Thinking you have to be strong, and that means you can’t ask for help. Even superheroes have sidekicks!
7. Deciding before a PCS move that you will hate the next duty station.
6. Not taking advantage of military discounts or free services offered to military families. A little bit of research, or simply asking if a business offers a discount, can yield lots of savings.
5. Staying too attached to the computer or phone during deployment.
4. Washing your delicates with uniforms that have velcro!
3. Pay Day Loans. Enough said.
2. Not tipping the baggers at the commissary, simply because you didn’t know it is customary.
1. Thinking you have it all figured out. It’s okay to learn as you go… we have all been there!
What military mistakes would you add to this list from your own experiences?
