Lately, because of cuts, we have been talking hypothetically pretty often; whether it’s concerning the options the husband has
for his military career, or his interest in the Guard or civilian jobs, or
where we would like to go next depending on how things pan out. But even after talking through several
different scenarios, the husband admitted that he couldn't really imagine doing
anything other than being in the Air Force.
And it isn't that he’s not qualified or interested in doing other
things. Or that he is so in love with
life on a base that he couldn't bear to be parted from it. But after less than two years at our first
permanent duty station, I can totally see why it is so difficult to imagine
life outside of the military.
Granted, he spent about two years just training to be able
to do this job, but it’s a lot more than that time investment. His job choice has had an impact on almost
any facet of our life that I could list.
And after a while, you get used to the military and the culture and
community that comes with it being a huge part of your life. For instance: we were recently trying to
figure out where we would like to move next if the husband chose voluntary separation
from the Air Force. It was like watching
two poor ants suddenly derived of their queen, their hive mind, railing against
the horrifying array of choices before them.
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| Freeeeeedom! Terrible Freeeeedom!!! |
In about 4 short years, we have become completely adapted to
being told where to move, how to move, how long to stay, if we must live on
base, etc. Whether or not we can buy beer on Sundays. (OK, that last one was just The South, but we were there on orders so its kind of the military's fault) Which is kind of terrible
because I think now we would be completely baffled by the amount of choices we
would get to make all on our own.
It’s exactly like my first visit back in the states after
living on an air base in Japan. My mom
and I went to the biggest Wal-Mart in the
nation. As if they weren't big
enough already.
I freaked out a little bit in the peanut butter aisle. I just went to get peanut butter. I thought there would be your usual two or
three brands, maybe a couple healthy variations or organic lines.
There were like twenty things I’d never even seen before.
Coconut butter?
Hazelnut butter? Cashew butter? Biscoff spread? They made cookies into a butter?? Granola spread (wtf)? Soynut butter? Chocolate,
honey, maple, cinnamon raisin swirl peanut butters? I was gone for like two years! And all this stuff besides the usual
varieties that have become more popular lately like sunflower butter and almond
butter. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big
fan of peanut butter and these creative variations and more consumer
choice. But this peanut butter aisle was
also kind of scary because I was like, this is a great metaphor for my life if
we leave the military. It’s not going to
be simple anymore.
And all this is independent of whether either of us likes
military life or not. Honestly, my
answer changes by the hour. I hate it. I love it. I don’t like that my
career has been put on the back burner for the time being, but I do like being
able to play a supporting role at home for my husband (shockingly) and I have
gained a new perspective on marriage, and a little humility, though this
lifestyle. I don’t like my husband being
gone for months on end, or suddenly leaving and messing up weekend plans
basically all the time, but I am thankful that it has led us to not take for
granted the time we do get to be together.
I grumble when I have to scan my ID at the commissary or have to take 20
minutes to have security check guests onto base, but I feel very safe in my
home and running at night. Couldn't say
that in the No. I definitely would miss the community, and I never thought I would say anything like that.
I could really go on and on with these dichotomies but I
think you get the point. What's your favorite part of military life? Would you be excited or terrified
at the idea of getting out early? Would you
miss base life or not?
