What it's like to be a military wife?
Being a Military Wife Means… As a military wife, you learn to make friends rather quickly. You basically have friends in every corner of the U.S. Your friends are your family, especially when your spouse is deployed more often than not. Even if you’re not a fan of writing, you learn to love letter writing as a military wife.
What to expect as a military wife?
You will become versatile. The most positive trait that you'll inherit while being a military spouse is the ability to be versatile. You'll be placed in all sorts of different challenges and obstacles in your milspouse journey, and you will find a way to adapt (I promise).
What is it like to be a military wife?
You’ll spend the majority of your time as a military spouse either unemployed or underemployed. People will say a lot of silly things to you like…“I could never do what you do.” And you will find a way to answer with grace and tact. Homecoming will feel like falling in love on a blind date. First comes the honeymoon phase, and then it just gets awkward.
What are the benefits of an army wife?
They are key to trailblazing grassroots efforts that drive change and make the community more inclusive. The award recipients are inducted into a year-round program for military spouses to earn leadership credentials, expand their networks, learn valuable life and advocacy skills, and make a difference in their communities.
What does being a military wife mean?
The role of being a military wife doesn't come lightly. It means being supportive, loving, loyal, fierce, and reliable. While you know separation happens, no one can ever prepare you for the hole your spouse leaves in your heart when they're on a mission.
What do u call a military wife?
DependaSpouses and children of service members are traditionally called dependents. Being called a “Dependa” implies the military spouse sits at home all day doing nothing while their service member sacrifices everything to keep them comfortable.
What are the duties of a military wife?
The military spouse plays a significant role in the life and morale of the service member: The spouse stays home and keeps the family grounded, safe, and functioning while the service member performs their duty. Many spouses also work full time, pursue their education, and help raise the family.
How do I become a military wife?
The BasicsAsk your spouse to enroll you in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). ... Obtain a military identification card from the ID card facility. ... Establish power of attorney. ... Ask your spouse to list you as a beneficiary on his or her Serviceman's Group Life Insurance (SGLI) policy.More items...
Do military wives travel with their husbands?
Opportunities to Travel Throughout your husband's time in the military, you'll have plenty of opportunities to travel. What is this? Depending on the deployment, you may be able to visit them overseas during a holiday like 4th of July for example.
Do military wives get a check?
To answer your question, there is no stipend, no monetary benefits for military spouses. Service members can choose to give a monthly allotment to a spouse or whoever, but the money is deducted from their own pay. It does not come from the Department of the Army or Department of Defense.
Do military wives live on base?
Military Housing for Married Couples or Those with Dependents. If you are married and living with your spouse or minor dependents, you will either live in on-base housing or be given a monetary allowance called Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to live off-base.
How do military wives make money?
You can do freelance work or consulting for companies all over the globe. As independent workers, military spouses can earn extra income, set their own hours, and work from anywhere in a variety of virtual positions. If you're not sure about self-employment, you may still be able to secure a position as an employee.
How much money do military wives get?
There is no military spouse pay or stipend, but the military offers a number of benefits to help service members and their families. Your first stop after the wedding should be the nearest military ID card issuing facility to enroll in DEERS, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.
What benefits do Army wives get?
8 Awesome Military Marriage Benefits You Have as a SpouseBeing able to stand next to your hero. Yes! ... Healthcare is Included. ... You Can Get Marriage Counseling and Family Support. ... Free education. ... Military Discounts All Year Round. ... Housing & BAH. ... World Travel. ... Joining a community.
Do soldiers get paid more if married?
Within the U.S. armed forces, married soldiers are paid a higher annual salary than military singles.
Is being a military wife hard?
The life of a military spouse is undeniably challenging. Being away from your partner for months or years at a time, assuming the role of a single parent, trying to balance a career while moving so often – all of these realities of military life can take its toll.
What are the benefits of being married in the military?
Military spouse benefits often include fantastic opportunities, financial and otherwiseMilitary Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) ... Military Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) ... Healthcare Benefits (Tricare) ... Shopping, Childcare, & Recreational Benefits. ... Scholarships. ... Military Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)More items...•
How much money do you get for being married in the military?
No, the federal government won't give you a pay raise just for getting married. It won't give you "military marriage pay," but it does the next best thing. It gives servicemembers more of a housing allowance when they add a dependent, and yes, a spouse is considered a dependent. It offers a few other perks as well.
Can your wife go with you on deployments?
Unfortunately, the whole idea of visiting your spouse during deployment is highly unlikely. There's a reason the military isn't sending you with them! If you were to be truly flexible enough to jump on a plane whenever your spouse says “Go,” you would still have a horribly priced plane ticket.
What do military wives learn?
As a military wife, you’ll learn to make friends quickly and make friends everywhere.
Why do civilian companies hire military wives?
Some civilian companies will even give a hiring preference to military wives because they know how challenging it can be sometimes to find employment as a spouse.
What would happen if the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife?
As the phrase goes, “If the Marine Corps [or other branch of the service] wanted you to have a wife, it would have issued you one.”
Why do military people divorce?
A bad deployment or challenging career course has led to countless divorces in the military.
Do military spouses get discounts?
You’ll also get discounts to pretty much every place imaginable as a military spouse.
Is stress in marriage more than stress in other marriages?
Finally, your marriage will undergo significantly more stress than other marriages, and you and your spouse will both have to be committed to see it through.
Can a military wife be physically fit?
If you’re not into working out, you might not be as interested in this perk, but it will definitely be easy to maintain a physically fit lifestyle as a military wife. Your husband’s job requires him to stay in good physical shape, so you can too.
Who is Chris Kyle's wife?
Taya Kyle, wife of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle, is no exception. She’s detailing her experience in her new memoir, American Wife: A Memoir of Love, War, Faith, and Renewal. Chris Kyle, credited as the most deadly sniper in U.S. military history, published a memoir in 2012 that was turned into the Academy Award-winning movie American Sniper.
Is it easy to get married in the military?
Being “married to the military” clearly isn’t easy, but countless women say they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Is military life good?
Military life is great but not for the weak. There are many happy times and just as many sad. For all the goodbyes you say, you get to look forward to the best hellos. Nothing compares to it unless you live the life yourself.”.
What to think about before becoming a military wife?
Before becoming a military wife, these are 47 things I never thought about…. The first deployment is a brutal shock to the system. Each subsequent deployment or separation will turn you into a bag of nerves, despite adequate planning, prep and support. Deployments don’t get easier, you simply gain more tools to cope with deployment separations.
When does military gear take over your home?
Military gear will take over your entire home before and after every deployment.
Will my military marriage grow apart?
Your military marriage will grow apart and back together over and over again, and it will turn you into one helluva strong couple.
Examples of Military spouse in a sentence
Military spouse " means the spouse of a person who is actively serving in the United States armed forces and who is stationed in Colorado in accordance with military orders.
More Definitions of Military spouse
Military spouse means the husband, wife, or registered do- mestic partner of a military person.
What is military life?
Military life is a life of sacrifice, however large or small, for servicemembers and their families. Admitting this is not martyrdom, it's an admission of truth in a world that encourages marriage without making it known that civilian wellbeing is not a priority.
When was the Marine Corps Wife published?
The day my husband swore into the US Marine Corps, his veteran grandfather gave me a book that had belonged to his late wife: "The Marine Corps Wife," published in 1955.
Is the military life whittles at the character of the person you marry?
Furthermore, the military life whittles at the character of the person you married. In my case, this has been all positive; my husband has truly blossomed since he became an active duty Marine, and I wouldn't trade any of the lost hours (or facial hair) for this immaculately-scul pted person.
Do military members get paid by rank?
Service members are paid by rank, not by the total amount of hours worked (which is arguably criminal if you look at the military pay rate, especially for junior enlisted ranks). Thus, they're never "off the clock.". This bleeds into everyday life, even when they're not working.
Is it surreal to be on a military base?
It can be surreal. There are endless quirks to life on a military base. Granted, you become accustomed to the rules fairly quickly, but to an outsider, it'd be pretty easy to see why most people inside the military community refer to it as a "bubble.".
Is wearing rank a myth?
Lore of spouse's "wearing" rank is, more often than not, just that: a social myth. That's not to say that wives who refer to "our" promotion or bluster when they aren't saluted don't exist, but these rare prima donnas are best left to stew in their own little worlds.
Is military life real?
The truth is, there's a delicate disconnect between the star-spangled blogs and real-life immersion in military culture; the too long/didn't read version is, quite simply, that military life is not real life.
What do you learn when you become a military wife?
Your life changes the moment you make it official. Here are 6 things you’ll learn when you become a military wife. We were all girlfriends at one point. Some of us longer than others, but we all experience life as a military girlfriend first. In hindsight, we don’t have many rights when it comes to our relationship.
Why do you say "Whatever they would do for him they will do for you"?
Whatever they would do for him they will now do for you because you are an extension of him. It’s a great honor and feeling to be inducted into their family. You will learn your husband has brothers and sisters all over the country and the world. It’s very cool that just as a wife you become one too.
Is advice good for military wives?
Advice is really great as long as it’s good advice. Everyone’s experience as a military wife is going to be different. There are so many factors that are going to affect how your time goes. It’s great to hear from other wives, but don’t let what they tell you be your rule.
Is it easy to be a military wife?
It’s not always easy being a military wife. If you keep an open mind and approach this time in your marriage as a privilege, you will see each situation thrown your way with zest and enthusiasm. It’s much more fun and exciting to look forward to the unknown rather than fear it.
What are the benefits of being a military spouse?
Military spouse and family benefits, like free healthcare, cheap groceries and free recreation are some of the best parts of military life. Check out our military spouse and family benefits 101 for everything you need to know about them.
How to get military benefits for spouse?
The Basics. Your spouse, also known as your sponsor, is required to fill out all paperwork that will allow you to receive military benefits. Obtain an original copy of your marriage certificate from the city, town, or county clerk's office where the wedding took place. Your spouse will need it.
What is the military aid society?
Aid societies. Each branch of the military has special assistance organizations that provide emergency financial assistance. Your family center can help you with this process.
What is family services in the military?
Your base’s family services program – known by a different title in each service -- is your first stop for learning about living in the military or about a new installation when you relocate.
How to get military ID card?
Obtain a military identification card from the ID card facility. To receive benefits as a military spouse, you will need an identification card. All family members, including children ages 10 and older, will need their own ID cards. Your card will gain you admission to military bases, exchanges and commissaries, and will allow you to receive medical care. Check with the ID card facility to confirm which documents you need to receive a card. Typically, you will need your marriage license, birth certificate, photo identification, and Department of Defense Form 1172 (application form) to apply for an ID card.