It Isn't Always So Bad

It is not unusual for a civilian to throw some typical, and sometimes rude, comments and questions one's way when they are informed of an individuals involvement in the military lifestyle. 

"It must be so hard."
"Don't you miss him?"
"I would never give up my life for that."
"I don't know how you do it."

But as I return home today from a five day vacation with two Army wives who have become some of my best friends, I can't help but think about all of the many reasons being a part of this crazy lifestyle is absolutely worth it.  

There is a positive side to the military life, and they are all of the reasons many military related families could not imagine living their life any other way - it just takes some getting used to.

1. Seeing the world
Not only do you and your family get to travel all across many different parts of the world, and live in some of the coolest places there are to see, but you make best friends that you are at some point in time forced to separate from, and visiting them in many of these cool places you may not otherwise get to see is quite the adventure. 

2. Pride
As discussed in a previous post, "Patriotism," having pride in your country and displaying it every single day is an overwhelming and heartwarming feeling. There is nothing better than knowing you are someone's greatest support and you're taking part in something much greater than yourself.

3. Traditions of the military
The military is full of traditions. On post, the retreat ceremony is played every single day to signify the end of the official duty day and pay respect to the American flag. As the flag is lowered from the pole, nearly every person on post will stop to face the flag, no matter how near or far from it they are, and stand quietly while retreat is played. A second favorite is when the National Anthem is played in the post movie theater before the start of each movie throughout the day.

4. Opportunities and development
So many opportunities are available for both service members and their families, and learning to grow as an independent and flexible individual due to the military lifestyle is tremendous.

5. The benefits
I often hear the benefits of the military lifestyle being misunderstood by many in the civilian world. Although the military does assist in many ways, these benefits definitely do not come "free" to members and their families as the sacrifices these people must make are greater than any price any one could pay. Some benefits do include a military discount offered in many places, a housing allowance that varies based off of the state a family is residing in, health care, tuition support, and discounted/tax free shopping at the post exchange and commissary. 

Personally, the biggest pro to the military lifestyle is the sense of family that is created through the friendships developed overtime. It is so heartwarming to have a family of friends that have been handpicked by you to be your "family" when your own is too far. I am so thankful for these kinds of friends.

*Check out here to read more on the benefits for military members and their family!