Well, we officially hit the five-year mark of being a military family! It feels a little weird – like many things, it feels like this has been our life forever, but at the same time I wonder how five years has already passed. It’s been a challenging five years and we’ve had to adjust to a lot of changes. We’ve had extended separations from Brandon, last-minute moves, and lots and LOTS of waiting on the Army. And there has been so much growth – for me and for our children. I am always amazed at how strong our kids are and how adaptable they have become. They struggle with each move – that much is clear – but I love seeing them jump into a new place with both feet and with the determination to find everything there is to love about it. And so, with all of that in mind, here are nine things that we love about the Army.

9 Things we Love About the Army

1) The Adventure

It’s a common thing for people to join the military SOLELY for the adventure. After all – moving every 2-5 years is bound to have you living in some pretty cool places. I never dreamed that we’d have the opportunity to live overseas with the military and yet, here we are! But even with our “less exciting” duty stations, we found adventure. I would have never in a MILLION years moved to Missouri on my own. And yet, we found things that we loved about Missouri – and we’ll have a chance to find MORE that we love about it when the Army moves us back there next year. So, while moving every few years has its challenges, we love the adventure of starting in a new place and exploring all that it has to offer.

2) The Benefits

One thing that drew us to the military in the first place were the incredible benefits offered to military families. In addition to a monthly housing and food allowance, military families living in some locations also receive a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), as well as a utility stipend. And what’s more: we pay zero dollars a month in health insurance premiums. AND if we go to military doctors, we don’t pay copays either. Sure, there are long waits for appointments and sometimes getting referrals for specialists can be a pain, but so far we’ve been relatively satisfied with our healthcare options since Brandon joined the military.

3) The Friendships

Military families have to say a LOT of goodbyes (like a truly traumatic amount of goodbyes). And that sucks. It sucks so bad. I’ve got some hard goodbyes coming up this summer that I 100% am not looking forward to. And yet, within the military community, it isn’t usually goodbye, but rather a “see you later.” Because, for better or for worse, you very often run into people again. But since military communities are so transient, you get close to people pretty quickly. Friends become family and even when they move away: they continue to feel like family. I have friends who feel more like sisters than they do friends (you know who you are!) and I am forever grateful for their influence in my life. I’m better because of them. And they understand me on a level that non-military friends just don’t because they haven’t been in my situation.

4) The Freebies

There are a lot of organizations that work to support military families, and we are always grateful when they put on free events meant to boost morale within the military community. We’ve participated in free lunch at the USO, hung out at the free lounge for military families at airports, attended holiday carnivals with free food and prizes, and even gone on a free cultural immersion trip around the city we live in. There is no shortage of events to support military families and I’m here for all of it!

5) The Promotions

Another reason my husband specifically was drawn to the military was the potential for growth in his career. There’s something motivating about knowing that there is always SOME rank advancement coming, along with a decent pay raise. And so, while neither my husband nor I wear his rank as some kind of “badge of honor”, we are both grateful for the opportunity that he has to improve and grow through his career.

6) The Personal Growth

Nobody has needed more personal growth throughout the past five years than I did. And I like to think that I’ve experienced a LOT of growth. Of course, I stumble at times – as I’ve spoken pretty openly about my most recent struggles with my mental health – but I am a better, more well-rounded person than I was five years ago. I’m more independent than I was. And I’m far stronger than I ever thought I could be. I owe so much of my own personal improvement to my husband’s career in the military – it forced me out of my comfort zone. And while it was nothing short of uncomfortable (I’ve talked about how I’m trying to embrace discomfort), it was also necessary and our whole family is better off because of it.

7) The Discounts

I have to admit that we are not the best at taking advantage of the military discount that is often available on goods and services. And honestly, I’ve always felt kind of silly when I HAVE asked if a discount is available. After all, who am I to feel entitled to special treatment? My husband has never been in a battle zone; his life has never been in danger. But, as I’ve thought more about this, I’m reminded time and time again that, while my husband has not been asked to give his life for his country (and while he may NEVER have to give his life for it), that is exactly what he signed up to do if it is required of him. When he enlisted he vowed to put the mission first and to do whatever it took to defend the United States of America. So, while this hardly makes us entitled to any kind of discount, it reminds me to graciously accept any discounts given because people want to show their appreciation. And I think that’s pretty cool.

8) The Community

If you spend any time on a military spouse Facebook page, you might think that military spouses are the most entitled, petty, annoying, and negative group of people on the planet. And sure, I’ve occasionally had interactions with people who might fall into those categories. But the military community as a WHOLE is amazing. They are some of the strongest, most resilient people I’ve ever met – and I’m honored and proud to be a part of that community. When the going gets tough, these are the people who pick themselves up by their bootstraps and get to work. They lift each other and support each other and validate each others’ struggles. They know what you’re going through – because they’ve been through it themselves! I’ve felt this within the military communities where we lived in Missouri, Washington, and now South Korea – and it has made all the difference.

9) The Pride

I’m proud to be married to someone who is willing to give his life for his country. I dearly hope he doesn’t have to – truly I do. But there are some things worth fighting for and laying down your life for – and freedom is one of them. Of course, I recognize that the United States of America has problems – huge problems that I have no solutions to. I know things aren’t perfect in the USA. But I also believe that God set America apart for incredible purposes and I love thinking that as a military family, we get to play a small part in that!

Who knows what the next five years of my husband’s career will bring? We know another move is in our near future, but the exact dates are a mystery. That might seem frustrating – and it is sometimes – but it’s also just part of the adventure!

’til next time…

Ash