Military life is filled with many, many blessings. We have so much to be thankful for. But this lifestyle sometimes comes with quirks that really get on our last nerve.
When we can laugh about them or at least find comfort in knowing these things also annoy others … we find a great deal of stress relief!
Our wonderful group of collaborators came together to share the things that most irritate them. We have a feeling that this list could include way more than 35 items…
1) Finally planning an event (birthday party) only to have a last-minute TDY send them somewhere just before the date.
2) Getting asked the question, “He doesn’t ever have to go overseas again, does he?”
3) The Sunday evening scrambles for a uniform piece they can’t seem to find.
4) Wishing you had a top secret clearance so your spouse could actually answer the question, “How was your day?”
5) The comment, “Oh, you are a stay-at-home parent… that must be nice!”
6) When they tell you they are bringing friends from work home for dinner… at 16:30.
7) I take exception to the men who tell me how easy it is and how lucky I am to have a woman take care of me.
8) The sympathetic tilt of the head and the “I just don’t know how you do it. I could never live “that way” when someone learns you are a military spouse.
9) Gear, gear and more gear! Everywhere!
10) Being called a “dependent“!
11) Congress threatening military pay and benefits at every turn.
12) When your friend thinks that $2 military discount must make it all “worth it.”
13) The suggestion that military children are from “difficult” backgrounds because they move frequently.
14) Getting used to saying “soda” on the East Coast and then moving to the Midwest where you get strange looks until you learn to call it “pop.”
15) When movers tell you they don’t unpack…when you know that is a lie. So you call TMO and they come back to unpack.
16) Navigating Tricare.
17) The concept of mandatory fun. Just make it fun, and we will go. Call it mandatory and no wonder you feel like you are pulling teeth.
18) Perpetual job hunts, many of which don’t end up in gainful employment.
19) Finding little inventory stickers on your belongings…weeks, months, YEARS after you move.
