Military Spouses, Parents and Families

[scbelle]

Ok, someone with more experience can maybe help me out with this one (my husband's a career guy, so we've never really talked about this in particular)... his ETS is May 08, but he'll be deployed. He's just getting ready to finish the career course, which tacks on another year of service. Will that be a year from his graduation, or a year from his current ETS?

[SthrnZeta]

That's a good question - that's just the date showing on his LES. Now I would assume it would tack on another year onto his ETS - actually, come to think of it, that's exactly what he told me it would be. So he'll be home right around the time his ETS comes up and that's why he was thinking of just getting out when he gets back.... Of course he'll be at Campbell for his 90 days which kinda sucks for him since I'll have all his furniture and a home ready for him...

[Jill1228]

I just saw this thread.
Do military brats count?
I am a Navy Brat--I was even born in a military hospital. My father is retired from the Navy
Right now my cousin is in Iraq (Army). My "brother" (one of my best friends, he says I am the bratty little sister he never had) is a US Naval Academy Grad

[scbelle]

Originally Posted by Jill1228

I just saw this thread.
Do military brats count?
I am a Navy Brat--I was even born in a military hospital. My father is retired from the Navy
Right now my cousin is in Iraq (Army). My "brother" (one of my best friends, he says I am the bratty little sister he never had) is a US Naval Academy Grad

Of course they count! I'm glad you found the thread.

[Army Wife'79]

I always thought it was tacked on to graduation of that course but I could be wrong. We never paid attention and 27 years later here we are! I will advise any/all military wives do not plan anything past the immediate future or you are setting yourself up for disappointment. I learned this the hard way. In the Army, life is fluid and the truth changes daily. Don't buy airline tix in advance b/c you may be changing flights; don't buy a house when you get your orders b/c the orders may change (mine changed 10 days before the moving van).

My wedding invitations were out when the Colonel changed the training schedule to include our wedding, and no, he couldn't change it. Since all the groomsmen were also Captains, I was freaking out. Finally, because training was only an hour away, the Col. asked who was invited to our wedding and those who raised their hands (including H) got to come home, shower for the first time in 7 days, and go to our wedding in dress blues and return to training the next day. It was pretty funny b/c the bachelors who normally would blow off a wedding, all came (just so they could come home, get cleaned up and eat good food). They bolted soon after the ceremony but at least the Colonel saw them there. Our honeymoon also was postponed for a couple of weeks. Keep in mind, we had checked the training schedule before printing the invitations.

[SthrnZeta]

Geesh! At least you were able to hold the ceremony! I remember waiting in Fay'ville for over a week since the coming home date changed several times, but I'm sure it won't hurt to remind me of "Army Time," LOL. The only plans we've made are New Year's Plans and he has to report Dec. 30, when no one is there anyway. Beyond that, we haven't planned when I'll come back up and visit before he leaves, I just hope it doesn't coincide with my house-sitting schedule (I have one in February, right around the time he would be deploying... )

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally Posted by Army Wife'79

The reason I said you need a ring is because we teach young officer's wives in the "Commander's Wives Class" not to give info to anyone other than a wife or in certain circumstances a fiance. There is "info" and there is "info". Personally, I only gave info to a fiance if I had met her in person at a "Hail & Farewell" and had seen the diamond with my own eyeballs.

Star sapphires sink ships!

[Smallwondergurl]

Originally Posted by Army Wife'79

I always thought it was tacked on to graduation of that course but I could be wrong. We never paid attention and 27 years later here we are! I will advise any/all military wives do not plan anything past the immediate future or you are setting yourself up for disappointment. I learned this the hard way. In the Army, life is fluid and the truth changes daily. Don't buy airline tix in advance b/c you may be changing flights; don't buy a house when you get your orders b/c the orders may change (mine changed 10 days before the moving van).

My wedding invitations were out when the Colonel changed the training schedule to include our wedding, and no, he couldn't change it. Since all the groomsmen were also Captains, I was freaking out. Finally, because training was only an hour away, the Col. asked who was invited to our wedding and those who raised their hands (including H) got to come home, shower for the first time in 7 days, and go to our wedding in dress blues and return to training the next day. It was pretty funny b/c the bachelors who normally would blow off a wedding, all came (just so they could come home, get cleaned up and eat good food). They bolted soon after the ceremony but at least the Colonel saw them there. Our honeymoon also was postponed for a couple of weeks. Keep in mind, we had checked the training schedule before printing the invitations.

My husband and I legally got married in september of 2002 in germany. Due to the Events of 9/11 he was constantly deployed from that moment on. when we finally got some time together we got married one weekend and back to work on monday, alas we did not get to have our big family wedding and our honeymoon until last year. I was so paranoid that he was going to be deployed again due to his flight chief telling him " he hope his c bag was ready". Half of his and My Sq came, I was so glad saved my money, but the funny part was i had made the invitations to our wedding back in 02 so i had to scratch out the original date and put the new one in. the one good thing was that we had our real wedding in September of 2006.
I just hate to see when you plan things somehow military life can just be a rainy cloud to your sunny day

[LPIDelta]

This is why I LOVE being 15 years in--because there is light at the end of the tunnel and I can actually start to "plan" for what we will do when he's done. Sure things could change--every time I turn around he's got some new idea about going to work for some three letter agency--but I love that we're close enough to retirement that we can actually start to think about "what's next" with some reality.

SthrnZeta--it really does sound like you've got everything covered. And I still wouldn't be surprised if there was a holiday proposal, despite his reaction to people thinking you're engaged. That might just be because he doesn't want other people to "spoil" the plan.

We got married and he left the next day for a 6 month deployment. Quickie and unusual wedding situations are part of the special fabric of being a military spouse.

[SthrnZeta]

Nittany, you make a good point and it's sometimes hard to remember how he may feel about things when he gets back. Sure, things are all roses now and we're talking about future plans all the time, but either one of us may feel different when this whole thing is over. Or it could make us stronger as a couple. No way of knowing. All we can do is keep in touch as much as possible and hope we stay as close as we can and not let the distance affect us too much. And you're right, a ring does not a guarantee make.... It would just make me feel better

[BSP_Nicole]

I have a cousin who is deployed in Iraq right now. I am sending him a care package for Christmas: I'm putting in some gaming magazines, Hickory Farms beef sticks, gum, and sunblock, but I'm not sure what else to put in. Can someone give me some suggestions on what's good to go in care packages? Thanks!

Nicole

[LPIDelta]

Via the USO in my city (my office is sponsoring them for the holidays):
Drink sticks (Gatorade, Crystal Light)
Instant coffee single serving packs (I found apple cider too)
Applesauce and pudding cups
Chicken and tuna in the fresh pouches
Chex Mix, Gardettos and other portable snacks
Easy Cheese (I found this one funny)
Gum
Tootsie Rolls (mmm chocolate without the melting!)
Hard Candy
QTips
Chapsticks
Hand sanitizer (my husband suggests the itty pocket size bottles)
CDs and DVDs
New Magazines (in case of all media, no porn or other things which could be offensive to the residents of the home country)
White socks
Batteries
AT&T International Pre-Paid Phone cards (good for while traveling to and from area)
Feminine Hygiene products
Letters of support

My husband has also found helpful:
Clorox Wipes to keep things clean
I sent my husband a set of 600 TC pillow cases so he can have a little luxury
Photo album from home (and I asked everyone in the family to send pictures of family events to add to it)
Potato milk (he's lactose intolerant)
Those microwavable brownies in the single serving bowl (he loves brownies!)
I also sent a package of pens and a package of little note pads because I wasn't getting any mail from him--but it hasn't worked.

Along those lines, I read somewhere online where there was a now defunct organization that was designing blank greetings cards for all occasions to send to the war zones so that soliders/sailors/airmen/Marines could have cards to send to family back home. My husband noted that the card selection at his local PX was not great, and its not like they have Hallmark on every corner. I am trying to get my chapter on this.

I also read somewhere online where people suggested sending spices--if your cousin likes Tabasco or garlic powder and he doesn't have a good dining facility, you might send those.

ETA: I know I've mentioned this before but the post office has flat rate boxes that you can mail any weight amount for $8.95! Great for care packages!!!

[knight_shadow]

Wow, I'm kind of late finding this thread too.

Both of my parents are retired Army (20+ years each). Thankfully, we got all of the moving out of the way when I was younger, so I've been able to stay put in Texas for almost 10 years now.

I don't remember where this was asked, but someone wanted to know if military connections hindered the GLO experience. My mom didn't care, but my dad wanted me to join the military. He brought up the "brotherhood" aspect of the military, but didn't think the same could be acheived with a GLO. Since I've been in my GLO for a while now, he's kind of gotten over it, but is still wondering why I'm "spending time with this fraternity thing"

Has anybody else had experiences like that?

[LPIDelta]

Ok, today is one of my favorite days of the year. It's Army-Navy Football from Baltimore. Today at Noon EST. There is just something about this game--its like no other rivalry. I went seven years in a row, and there's nothing like being there, but watching it will be great, too. I watch, drink egg nog, and wrap gifts. Should be another great game.

So in the spirit of the day--GO NAVY, SINK ARMY!!!!

[SigKapAngel767]

GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!!!