Posted on May 8, 2016

Are military spouses as appreciated as they should be?

Sgt Joe LaBranche

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Posted >1 y ago

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Responses: 11

LCpl Ash Carson

Posted >1 y ago

I don't think they are but they should be. It's hard to stay at home while your love one is away in another country. Also the stress of the military can cross over to the spouse

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Sgt Joe LaBranche

>1 y

LCPL Ash Carson, I agree and appreciate all that the spouses do for the veteran and the entire family. Spouses are true heroes too!

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SGT Kathi Prato

>1 y

While I agree with the basis of your statement, there are some who just can't keep it together when their service member is deployed and choose to cheat, spend, lie, etc. and take advantage of the sacrifices being made. It's difficult on both sides of the situation, and a lot of the time the ones at home think they're the only ones who are having a rough time. I guess my point is the appreciation should go both ways...

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LCpl Ash Carson

>1 y

I have to agree with that 100%. Some individuals do cheat and are not faithful to the other who is gone. It's really heart breaking to hear about the unfaithful spouse

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SGT Richard Midgett

5 y

Don't get married before you go into service... the military should stop taking married men r women.
That way the SOLDIERS can stay Focused on their mission..

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SPC Carson S.

Posted >1 y ago

I don't believe they are. As a soldier, I was force-fed the rules and regulations of the military from day one, immersed in the culture and taught the whats and whys of life in the military, but my wife was not; she had to learn everything second hand. Each new duty station I went to, I was given an orientation that discussed rules for the post, details about the surrounding area, etc., but I was never encouraged to bring my wife to any of the briefs. I think the military would do well to have more programs designed to welcome and ease the spouses into military life. Some of this can be done with a good unit FRG, yes, but each post should have a standardized program specifically for the spouses.

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Sgt Joe LaBranche

>1 y

SPC Carson Stringham, the same holds true for post deployment transition. The military does nothing to prepare for who is returning to then. There is no family education on identifying the veteran's triggers or coping skills to help the veteran and the spouse get through the event.
There is no education on the psychological aftereffects of combat for either the veteran or spouse.

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SPC Carson S.

>1 y

Sgt Joe LaBranche - That is also very true. The training the soldiers get is minimal and the spouses and families get nothing. There is no preparation at all, on either side, for the reunion and adjustments that come with it. There definitely needs to be more education on that front as well. Thank you for pointing that out.

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