When my husband got the call that he was going to be accepted in the Air Force there were a lot of mixed emotions and not just because we had found out we were going to be having a baby.
We were excited, nervous, anxious but most of all looking forward to the life that military would provide for us as adults. We both grew up military kids, so we were used to things like PCSing, TDYs, living on base and what not. So what to do when your base sucks?
I was looking forward to throwing myself into military spouse life, especially since I was going to be leaving the wonderful and active networking and business community I had grown to love. I was looking forward to Spouse Clubs, participating in events, volunteering and being active in my Air Force community.
So, why do I spend my day in stretch pants, hanging with my kid just watching my way through all the TV shows I can find on Amazon and Netflix? Because my base sucks!
There is just no way around it, I am 110% completely disappointed in the base we have been stationed at. I have spent almost a year trying to make it work and I just had to throw my hands up in the air in defeat. And it wasn’t for lack of trying.
I went to Spouse Club events, where I just stood there on the outside waiting for someone to let me participate in a conversation and not give me dirty looks. MOPS was like daycare for adults. Squadron or flight events, nonexistent. Even getting together with the spouses that are a part of my husband’s shop can’t happen, because they are all too unwilling to do anything. Oh, and my key spouse, the one who is supposed to make us feel welcome at our new (and first) base, I haven’t heard a peep out of her.
I tried taking matters into my own hands by starting my own groups and events – what happened? No one came! Oh, there was plenty of interest. I have over 100 spouses that joined both my play group and freezer club group on Facebook, but they were too wrapped up in their own lives to do anything or even come. I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to plan something every week after week where at least 5-10 people RSVP yes just to have no one show up.
