Military Life for Spouses

When you marry a service member, you may find you’re taking on new roles. You’re probably adapting to changing schedules, learning different ways of doing things and developing creative ways to compromise. The adjustments become much easier if you have the right information and helpful resources at your fingertips.

Here are a few ways to make the adjustment to military life as smooth as possible:

You might be wondering what those stripes and bars are on your spouse’s uniform. Those symbols represent rank — the higher the rank, the more responsibility. Having a working knowledge of ranks in the military and how to greet each rank can make you feel more at home in a military family. We provide guidance on what all the military insignia means so that you feel more confident and part of the gang.

ARTICLES FOR UNDERSTANDING UNIFORMS AND RANK

• Military Insignia: What Are Those Stripes and Bars?
• The Basics of Military Uniforms

You may experience many emotions if you’re planning to live on an installation for the first time as a military spouse. While it’s perfectly understandable to feel some uncertainty, there are several ways to ensure the transition is a success.

• Be proactive and keep a positive attitude. Take advantage of opportunities offered to you on the installation.
• Get your children involved in activities. The installation youth center offers a wide range of sports, activities, events and social clubs. This is also a great way to meet other parents.
• Get to know your neighbors. Other families are getting used to the new installation too.
• Participate in military community activities. Pay attention to upcoming events and join in the fun. You can try new things and meet new people at the same time.
• Connect with people and organizations. Look for groups like clubs, civic groups, sports teams or faith-based groups to help build your support network and get involved with the community.
• Take advantage of Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities, events and trips. They offer outdoor recreation opportunities, fitness classes, sports programs and a range of other classes and services designed to help you meet other people with similar interests.

Reach out to other couples like you and your spouse. It can help to be with someone who is in the same situation as you. You can also connect with a Military OneSource peer-to-peer specialty consultant for a confidential chat with someone who has both a master’s degree and firsthand life experience as a military spouse or service member.

Joining a community of military spouses can change the way you view the military. The military spouse community can:

• Provide a place where you can ask questions
• Offer support
• Allow you to make lifelong friends

You will have many chances to build your network of friends and fellow military spouses. Start by connecting with your installation’s Military and Family Support Center, Family Readiness Group, the Spouse Ambassador Network and through Blog Brigade.

Each service branch has a Family Readiness Group, but the names and resources may differ. Find out more:

• Army
• Marine Corps
• Navy
• Air Force
• National Guard or reserves

ARTICLES FOR CONNECTING TO THE COMMUNITY

• Welcome to Military Life: Support Resources for Military Families
• Military OneSource Peer-to-Peer Support: Talk to Someone Who Gets It

You may also want to check out the Spouse Ambassador Network, a group of organizations that promotes military spouse career resources in communities where military spouses live and work. The network supports the mission of the Military Spouse Employment Partnership, which:

• Connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers who recruit, promote and retain military spouses in portable careers
• Helps military spouses build on their education and experience
• Supports military spouses in achieving their career and personal goals

As a military spouse, you can take advantage of the services, support and networking opportunities provided by the Spouse Ambassador Network.

Being a military spouse doesn’t mean you can’t have a career, too. Continuing your education or advancing your career when you’re constantly on the move can be tough. But there are many employment and education resources that are only available to military spouses.

• Whether you’re in need of help writing a resume or simply deciding what career is best for you, the MySECO website is your one-stop shop. MySECO provides education and career guidance to military spouses worldwide, offering comprehensive resources and tools related to career exploration, education, training and licensing, employment readiness and career connections.
• Depending on your individual interests and skills, there are many job opportunities available to you. Get your resume ready and explore what’s out there on and off the installation.
• There are certain preferences for military spouses when applying for Department of Defense civilian jobs. With the help of the Military Spouse Preference Program, you can build your career as you move with the military.
• Read about these resources for military spouse jobs to prepare yourself for future employment.
• If your job requires a professional license or certification and you move due to a permanent change of station, you can apply for up to $1,000 in reimbursement of relicensure or certification fees from your service branch.

Keeping a military marriage or relationship strong requires a different skill set than a civilian marriage. But by talking openly as a couple, it can help keep the lines of communication open with your spouse, which is a vital part to maintaining a strong relationship.

Deployments and frequent relocations can add stress. Here are a few ways to strengthen your bond:

• Free, confidential relationship counseling through Military OneSource
• Marriage enrichment programs offered by each military service branch
• Love Every Day, a mobile solution that prompts you and your partner via text to connect in new ways.
• Re the We campaign for ideas, tips and resources to rekindle, repair or reset your relationship

ARTICLES FOR STRENGTHENING YOUR MARRIAGE OR RELATIONSHIP

• How to Successfully Communicate as a Couple
• Relationship Checkup
• Staying Resilient While Your Partner Is Deployed
• Marriage Enrichment Programs
• Relationship Tips: Four Common Pitfalls and How to Tackle Them
• What To Do When You Feel Disconnected From Your Partner
• Tips for Keeping Your Relationship Strong and Healthy
• Military Spouse Support Services

Make time to do things you enjoy as a couple. Military life can be busy, and taking time together to do positive, fun things can easily get pushed to the back burner. Make the time and focus on enjoying yourselves, even if that means agreeing not to talk about certain issues during those times. Love Every Day, a free, text-based relationship resilience tool from Military OneSource, can improve the quality and stability of your connection.

When you and your spouse are service members, dual military life can be a challenge. Staying connected while juggling the demands of two hectic careers can strain even the best relationship. Learn techniques to help you balance work and family life. And work together to develop strategies to deal with all aspects of military life.

ARTICLE FOR MANAGING MARRIAGE WITH TWO SERVICE MEMBERS

• Military Couples: When Both Spouses Are Service Members