Being An Air Force Wife

This is the third post in my “blog mini-series” about the preparation for the much anticipated reunion with my deployed husband. You can also see Operation Homecoming- Part One and Part Two.

How to get back to “NORMAL”

(more…)

This is the second post in my series of domestic abuse in the military. Part one can be found here.

The military has a domestic violence problem—or, as the Army calls it, a “spousal aggression issue.” Sometimes, when soldiers have just returned from a war zone the media speculates that post-traumatic stress may be to blame. This seems somewhat specious. The Defense Department doesn’t break down pre- and post-deployment figures, but the fact is that rates of domestic violence in the military have been high for years—two to five times higher than among civilians. In the 1990s, the military quietly watched as its domestic violence rates shot up from 19 per 1,000 soldiers in 1990 to 26 per 1,000 soldiers in 1996. After three soldiers stationed at Kentucky’s Fort Campbell were charged with killing their wives or girlfriends, an alarmed Congress appointed a task force to investigate and make recommendations. Last year, according to DoD figures, there were 16,400 cases of domestic violence reported, with 9,450 of them substantiated. That’s still a rate of 14 cases for every 1,000 couples, compared with 3 per 1,000 among civilians. And consider that many soldiers spent all or part of last year deployed and thus physically separated from their spouses. (more…)

This is the second post in my “blog mini-series” about the preparation for the much anticipated reunion with my deployed husband. If you want to catch up, check out Operation Homecoming- Part One. Today I want to talk about the kids involved when a spouse is deployed.

(more…)

 Please click here for Wordless Wednesday!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and many blogs here at 451 Press are focusing a few posts on the subject.

I want to explore and talk about abuse within a military family. Historically the military has failed to take domestic violence seriously by not providing services and support for victims and failing to punish service members who abuse their partners. But this indifference has changed as a result of the successful lobbying of Congress by the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) and other domestic violence advocacy organizations who worked with the Department of Defense (DoD) to create the Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence (DTFDV). (more…)

When a deployment ends, the families left at home are ecstatic, to put it lightly. But with the joy of a long awaited reunion, comes readjusting that takes place right before, as well as after the homecoming. As I am counting down the days until our happy reunion, I thought I would do a “blog mini-series” on the preparation, as well as helpful tips for the family at home for a smoother transition and to help understand that the reunion process is not always easy and it is more likely for some tensions to occur, than for everything to go smoothly. And this is completely normal!
(more…)

I was at From the Frontlines earlier today, and decided to join in with helping Fisher House. You can find out more about Fisher House here.

(more…)

No matter what branch your hubby is in, all of us military wives share a bond together. I ran across this Yahoo article yesterday, the rate of suicide in the Army is at an all time high. This really does sadden me when the Army, as well as all branches of the military are actively improving the process of seeking help.

Here is the article:

(more…)

I found a group of AF Wife slogan T-shirt’s yesterday at CafePress. My 13 favorites:

1.) Sexually Deprived for your freedom

2.) Air Force Wife… You try doing this shit!

3.) Air Force Wife: Do not confuse your rank with my authority!

4.) My husband deployment was extend! Ain’t that a bitch!

5.) AF Wife- toughest duty in the Air Force

6.) I’m cranky! You try dealing with a deployment!

7.) My husband wears combat boots

8.) DANGER: AF Wife deployment zone…

9.) I love a man in BDU’s

10.) There’s nothing sexier than an Airman who knows how to use his gun

11.) Deployed Husband= Bitchy Wife!

12.) I get to mess with government property

13.) Hug a military wife, or buy her liquor

More Thursday Thirteen

Thursday Thirteen

Being Monday, you should know what I am about to talk about…. Army Wives! So far this show has not failed to rip me apart emotionally. Seriously. Last night, right after it went off, Barbie called me and I was a little teary eyed. She asked why do you watch a show that you know is going to make you cry?

Pshhhh…. why do you eat chocolate when you know it will make you gain weight? Duh! Because it is that damn good! Right??

My little recap of last night~ glad Denise’s husband was found. As for them sending him home immediately~ not so sure about that. Roxy catching that Marilyn hypocritical bitch cheating on her husband- PRICELESS! But Pamela telling Roxy that “the Army has their code, we have ours“, WTF??? Yes, all military wives do have a code about some things, but about a philandering spouse?? Not last time I checked my “book”! I wouldn’t go rat her out to her husband, but I also don’t hide stuff like that from my husband. Problems will soon follow when you start hiding things from your spouse. Joan. Joan, Joan- glad she is getting help with PTSD. Her husband Roland hit the nail on the head when he said soldiers feel ashamed to ask for help. Glad things are getting better for these two!

Anyone else watch? What did you think??

Army Wives, Lifetime TV, Spouses Army Code

I have a surprise coming on Sunday! So definitely check back!

Did you hear the good news about the American bald eagle?

The American bald eagle is thriving after four decades on the endangered species list! Biologist have counted 10,000 mating pairs of bald eagles. The eagle population hit bottom in 1963 when only 417 mating pairs could be found in the United States.

Did you know that today in history:

1909: With Orville Wright at the controls, the first Army airplane began trial flights at Fort Myer, Va.

The USS New York, made from the scrap metal from the World Trade Center!

More Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday, USS New York

The Hubs has been gone for a week and I am still in a ‘funk’. This is normal for a couple of days after he deploys, but it has never gone on this long. I hope I am able to snap out of it soon. I don’t like myself like this, it’s not me. I could have had a fun busy weekend, but instead opted out on everything- definitely not me.

I know that I have a few other military spouses that read this blog, how do you deal with this? Do you even go through a ‘funk’ period? One moment I wish I could just snap out of it, other times I want to be left alone so I can be gloomy. Willing to listen to advice- just please no one tell me to go see my doctor and to pop a pill!

depression, In a funk

Last night I ran across this article. In summary, the article is about the US Army planning to hire 25% more mental health care workers to deal with soldiers returning from the war. I am so happy to hear this, the only problem is a fair number of troops will not seek help. Troops think they can handle it on their own, plus a ‘mental’ issue can kill their career. The ‘higher ups’ say it wont, but it will.

I personally know of numerous spouses who are on anti-depressants. I am going to spend sometime looking for more info on the subject. I would bet the farm that the percentage of spouses who are ‘on something’ has dramatically increased in recent years.

It’s a new world, a new war.

I’m in a funk. I have been in a funk for a couple of weeks now. I know exactly why I am in a funk. The Hubs will leave very soon for the big sandbox. Yes, I know we will be fine financially. Yes, I know that I have great friends, who are there for me. Yes, I know how to ask for help if I am overwhelmed. Still, it sucks.

Like all military spouses my middle name is “flexible” and we do the best we can with what we have. We are stronger than we think. We have to be. There is no other choice. Deployments are just part of the military life.

Thanks for listening.

deployment,   military, sucks

Sleeping in? Yard work? Watching movies? Cooking out with friends and family? Hitting a couple of good sales? What are you doing today? Today being Memorial Day?

I will admit that I am guilty of seeing this three day weekend as a ‘mini-vacation’. Maybe hitting a really good sale, or two. Definitely sleeping in-as well!

This Memorial Day, I am going to do something a little different. Today I am going to make sure my boys know what today is about. We don’t live close enough to visit the Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. That wont stop me though- Our base does have their own wall, and we will be going to visit that wall.