any military families?

[Longoria11]

I've been with my hubby for 2 years almost 3 and on December of 09 was when i was introduced to the real "military life". the whole living on base stuff and i love it!! its a new experiance i mean i am THOUSANDS of miles away from my family BUT this is a once in a life time thing!!!

They get mad at me because we are stationed in NC and next we want to move to Hawaii and then maybe out of the country! i know its hard because they want to see my daughter but like i said this is A ONCE IN A LIFE TIME THING!! they just do get it and get VERY upset with me when i tell them our plans!!! i've even have to lie to them to make them shut up and say yes we are going to move back to California after NC. they just dont get it ugh...

end vent

sorry i had to vent....

[missijl]

I hear you about the family issue. My mom's scared to death that we'll have kids while we're away from home. She really wants to be there for me while I'm pregnant and then be around to babysit. I understand about family wanting to be there for you, but you have your own little family now, and you have to do what's best for you guys. I'm sure you'll be able to visit. At least Hawaii isn't clear across the globe right away. Plus, being in the military should give them a little time to get used to you being gone.

Trust me, if my family lived closer to where we live, I would NOT be moving back towards home. My hubby's probably getting medically discharged due to his injury. All the paperwork is in D.C. right now, and they like to take their time with these decisions. I wish we could just know right now! I mean, he could be discharged within two months of the decision. We need time to get everything in order: find a job back home, a place to live, etc..

[reddtessa]

Retired Navy wife here...it was hard mainly because my husband was stationed at sea for over 10 years an only home maybe 2-3 times a year. How we were able to have 6 kids is beyond my understanding. We live just next to the Quantico Marine base here in Virginia and I feel for the marine wifes here that are lossing their hubbies for their 18mon deployment to Afgan. in December. It is hard making friends with Base families as soon as you gain a great friendship they pcs out have one right now doing that looks like they are off to 21 Palms, I wish all you military families well, I know how hard and withdrawn it can be.

[mlhnceh]

My husband is active army, and I totally understand.  We make his family mad all the time because we make decisions based on what is best for our family (my husband and I, and our children).  Do what you feel is right for you and don't worry about what other people what or expect.

[jkhanson]

I may not fit the bill for the "military family" that you are referring to.

Our son is active Army; daughter-in-law, his wife, is Army Reserve; and our youngest daughter is in the Army National Guard.

We are very proud of each of our children for their service commitment.  It is hard on the family as well as the extended family when any of the troops are deployed. 

Our son is currently on his 3rd tour - he is in Kuwait after being in Iraq twice.  He is expecting his first baby - Sazianna will be born in December.  Our daughter-in-law has used Facebook to keep Jacob informed all during the pregnancy.  She has even posted 3-D ultrasound pictures! 

Jacob has been stationed in Germany and now in Kansas (when not deployed).  Who knows where they will move to after this deployment. We live in Minnesota, so it is a long drive to visit each other.  As parents and grandparents we do wish we lived closer so we could see each other more often. 

I am glad to hear that Longoria11 loves living on base and is enjoying the experience.  I'm sorry your parents are having a hard time with the distance between where you and they live.  I wish our son lived closer too, I miss him and his family.  It will be strange not being nearby when the baby is born.  She won't get to know us as well as the grandkids we have who live close.

But in Military families as in non-military families in today's mobile society, children grow up and move to where the jobs are.  Life has changed so much from the days when families stayed living near each other for decades. 

I am grateful for modern technology like Facebook and cellphones and Skype.  We can send pictures and talk to the kids/grandkids pretty easily.  Not the same as hugging them or playing games with them, but it helps.

[jcribb16]

   I'm a military mom.  Our son is married and has 2 small daughters.  Coming from the parent side of things, it is difficult when the family is not near enough.  Thank goodness we can keep up through Facebook, cell phones, videos, email, letters and packages with goodies, and when possible, a quick trip.  Jkhanson is right!  It does help keep the family closer when apart!

[vintagetrks]

10 years in the Army but I never could bring myself to start a family until after I ETS'ed. I'm glad I waited. I would have a very hrd time dealing with the seperation from my wife and kids. And I can only imagine how hard it would be to be at home wondering how your soldier is doing. God bless all the families who are behind our troops.

[jwallbank]

I am retired military (22years Navy). I see that there are quite a few Military families out there!! I agree wth the writer that stated that the Military caused their marriage to become stronger. I did the same with my marriage.

[smithjcsdfw]

Guess my family qualifies since my oldest daughter and her husband are now in the Texas National Guard, my son is in the Army stationed at Ft. Hood in Kileen with my daughter in law who is in the Army Reserve stationed at Grand Prarie at the old Dallas Naval Airstation.  My other daughter has married a retired Navy boiler pipe fitter who was in San Diego.  This year it looks like we are all going to be lucky enough to be together for Thanksgiving so I will be thankfull for that.  Our thanks to those who have to serve away from their familes during this holiday season.

[tinacombie]

I would not put myself in the military. I do not like the military. It is so bad. I have a father that joined the military and made it out of the military. My father is a veteran and he served in the military and he gets military benefits for joining in the military. I do have respect for military people serving our country, but what I don't like about military people is that they are usually unaccepting of gays and transgender.