But that’s just the way it is.
They chose a career in the military and took on the responsibilities and challenges that come along with it.
Just like we chose to marry them and be by their side through it all.
I remember seeing something very sad just before my husband’s last deployment. We were attending an FRG to discuss the training schedules before they would leave, and those schedules were extremely full. I guess it was safe to say their deployment started way before they left us. They had also been extremely busy before this meeting was even held. The commanders were attempting to explain how this wasn’t set in stone and that everything was subject to change.
That’s when one spouse began getting angry with them. She went on and on about how we only have so much time before they leave and that this should be time they spent with their families. She eventually stood up and began screaming at the commanders before she turned around and stomped out of the meeting.
I was in shock.
My husband just kept talking about how that soldier was going to be in a lot of trouble for what his wife did. I had only been married to my husband for a year when this happened, but I remember deciding right then and there that I would never behave that way. I can only imagine what this soldier had to deal with at home…having to justify working late, and constantly apologizing to keep the peace.
Don’t get me wrong. I do completely understand her frustration. We all do, I am sure. None of us enjoy having our spouses work late and go to the field for weeks at a time right before a year-long deployment. But we have to find a great support system, learn all we can, and be stronger than the frustration. Our spouses need us to be. They need to know that no matter what situation they are thrown into, we will be able to handle it with class and support them.
I am starting to see that it takes an extremely strong and selfless person to be a military spouse. And that it’s not done for any kind of recognition from the public, but for our amazing service members we love so dearly. I have accepted that it may be years before I can start working toward my career, and I can be okay with that because I know that once it’s my turn, my husband will be right there supporting me…just like I have proudly done for him.
