Well, my wife had drill this past weekend. While at drill, her and another recruit had some running around to do. One of those errands that was ran, happened to take her to the office where orders are sent. While she was there, she happened to ask about her orders, sure enough they were there, so she was able to get a couple of copies.
She will be doing her out processing mid February and heading to BMT. Her return date is in late July after she completes Tech school. One of the bad things is, we thought she was going to be able to come home during the two week break between BMT and Tech, but the AF said different. One thing I learned while I was in and when I was a military dependent, is nothing is set in stone, until the AF puts it down in paper. Just have to be willing to roll with the punches.
Once my wife told me that she has her orders, several things went through my mind. I was extremely happy for her that she is living her dream. I was sad, in the fact that she won't get to come home between BMT and Tech, and I was stressed. Stressed in the fact that we have a date now, and several things to get lined up before she heads to basic an she is gone for a 6 month time period.
Now is also the time to spend as much time together as possible. Luckily, we will be going down to see her graduate, and the girls and I, will get to see her for at least 4 days in between BMT and Tech school. I'm sure that there will be a slough of emotions that will be gone through over the period that she is gone, but in military fashion, we as a family will push through them, and will be stronger and closer than we have ever been.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Drill #2...
Well, my wife had her 2nd drill this past weekend. She seemed a bit more comfortable this weekend though.
She had more of the same as the first drill. She finally completed all her inprocessing, PT, marching.
It was a pretty tough weekend on our side of things. The girls and I went down to her sisters and dads house, since it was opening weekend of deer season for youth. While my oldest and I had deer hunting to distract us, I still missed my wife being down there with us. I have to give a big thanks though to my sister-in-law and father-in-law for watching the youngest two, that way I could take my oldest deer hunting. This was a huge help, to try and get my oldest her first deer.
Talked with my wife a good bit at night, and while she had time at lunch. My wife got a little perturbed at the ones that were late and couldn't dress right for duty. Of course, she and everyone had to pay for it, because they are one team.
We've fallen off a little bit on our workout regiment but will be getting back on that this week. She has just about 3 months before she ships out to BMT, so we will be pushing hard until then.
Again sweetie, we are all extremely proud of you. Keep your eye on the goal you set for yourself and nothing can stop you. We're here to support you in any way we can. The girls are already looking forward to watching you walk the bomb run at graduation.
She had more of the same as the first drill. She finally completed all her inprocessing, PT, marching.
It was a pretty tough weekend on our side of things. The girls and I went down to her sisters and dads house, since it was opening weekend of deer season for youth. While my oldest and I had deer hunting to distract us, I still missed my wife being down there with us. I have to give a big thanks though to my sister-in-law and father-in-law for watching the youngest two, that way I could take my oldest deer hunting. This was a huge help, to try and get my oldest her first deer.
Talked with my wife a good bit at night, and while she had time at lunch. My wife got a little perturbed at the ones that were late and couldn't dress right for duty. Of course, she and everyone had to pay for it, because they are one team.
We've fallen off a little bit on our workout regiment but will be getting back on that this week. She has just about 3 months before she ships out to BMT, so we will be pushing hard until then.
Again sweetie, we are all extremely proud of you. Keep your eye on the goal you set for yourself and nothing can stop you. We're here to support you in any way we can. The girls are already looking forward to watching you walk the bomb run at graduation.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Coming Together...
Not much new has been going on as far as my wife going to drill or anything dealing with the military. I wanted to write today about one of the side effects of my wife having joined the military.
As in all marriages, you go through a rough spot sooner or later. Well, our marriage was no different. Over the last few years we were in a rough time and in a lull per say. Over the last 6 months or so things started to change. Mainly, because we were trying to work towards my wife's goal of wanting to join the AF. Well, the day she swore in, it was like a light switch. We had gotten past our rough spot and are doing better than we have in the last 11 years we have been together.
On the day she swore in, we instantly, had a commonality, in the sense that I knew exactly how she felt at that moment of swearing in to the AF. Another big reason was, everyone had their own opinion about her joining. From ecstatic and joyous about her joining, to not agreeing but being respectful of her decision, to the downright disrespectful towards her for having made that decision...even to the point of blaming me for "making" her do it (read first post on blog to know how it began).
All of this that was happening, brought me and my wife extremely close together. Since she had enlisted, of course there is no turning back when Uncle Sam is involved. Of course, since all this was happening, it upset me, because I hated seeing my wife upset and in tears caused by malicious words of disrespect. We found ourselves planning head on the obstacles we were going to have to face at one time or another in this adventure together, as husband and wife. In doing this, and me giving all the support that could be poured out of me, it has made a very tight bond. A bond that will see us through this adventure and any adventure or mishap along the way.
It has also brought me and my daughters closer as well. In preparing for my wife to go to BMT and Tech, I have been trying to take care of everything the girls might ask. Little do they know, that I am trying to prepare them and myself for the day my wife gets on that plane and flies towards BMT, to get trained in the military lifestyle, so she can serve this great country of ours, and yes so she can defend our freedoms!
I can't say enough how very proud I am of her for her decision to answer the call! I try to tell her several times a day how proud I am. Baby, I am very proud of what you are doing, and love you very much. Just remember, while you are in BMT, you have the full support of me and your three daughters cheering you on as you pursue your dream of serving our great and majestic country.
All in all, it has made us very strong in the last several weeks and bond that will not be broken!!!
* if any spouses are reading this that are in the same boat, please support your spouse, it may be all the support she/he has, and may be exactly what they need to pull them through the initial days of being away at training.
As in all marriages, you go through a rough spot sooner or later. Well, our marriage was no different. Over the last few years we were in a rough time and in a lull per say. Over the last 6 months or so things started to change. Mainly, because we were trying to work towards my wife's goal of wanting to join the AF. Well, the day she swore in, it was like a light switch. We had gotten past our rough spot and are doing better than we have in the last 11 years we have been together.
On the day she swore in, we instantly, had a commonality, in the sense that I knew exactly how she felt at that moment of swearing in to the AF. Another big reason was, everyone had their own opinion about her joining. From ecstatic and joyous about her joining, to not agreeing but being respectful of her decision, to the downright disrespectful towards her for having made that decision...even to the point of blaming me for "making" her do it (read first post on blog to know how it began).
All of this that was happening, brought me and my wife extremely close together. Since she had enlisted, of course there is no turning back when Uncle Sam is involved. Of course, since all this was happening, it upset me, because I hated seeing my wife upset and in tears caused by malicious words of disrespect. We found ourselves planning head on the obstacles we were going to have to face at one time or another in this adventure together, as husband and wife. In doing this, and me giving all the support that could be poured out of me, it has made a very tight bond. A bond that will see us through this adventure and any adventure or mishap along the way.
It has also brought me and my daughters closer as well. In preparing for my wife to go to BMT and Tech, I have been trying to take care of everything the girls might ask. Little do they know, that I am trying to prepare them and myself for the day my wife gets on that plane and flies towards BMT, to get trained in the military lifestyle, so she can serve this great country of ours, and yes so she can defend our freedoms!
I can't say enough how very proud I am of her for her decision to answer the call! I try to tell her several times a day how proud I am. Baby, I am very proud of what you are doing, and love you very much. Just remember, while you are in BMT, you have the full support of me and your three daughters cheering you on as you pursue your dream of serving our great and majestic country.
All in all, it has made us very strong in the last several weeks and bond that will not be broken!!!
* if any spouses are reading this that are in the same boat, please support your spouse, it may be all the support she/he has, and may be exactly what they need to pull them through the initial days of being away at training.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The Small Stuff...
It's been a little slow around the house as of late. Mainly just trying to get dates written down and making a list of items that need to be taken care of prior to my wife's departure.
One of the big items is insurance, and in the military it's TriCare. With my wife in the Guard, she's eligible for TriCare Select, which is still extremely more substantial for a lesser price than what she is paying now at work. The big questions come into play of, once she goes to BMT and Tech how fast does it switch over to TriCare Prime and what does that cost (still less than current), and what all does it cover. We have started to make a list of all these questions for my wife to ask her Family Readiness Officer at her next drill. It's the fine things that will jump up and bite you when you least expect it or need.
Some of the other items that we are having to go ahead and contemplate is school registration (middle daughter will start K next fall but will have to be registered while my wife is in training), making sure of all my oldest daughters Girl Scout activities and when wellness checkups will need to be scheduled, and then the important schedule, when will I be able to go visit my wife while she is away at Tech school. Looks like it'll be at least a month before I will be able to do that, and that is strictly due to the new phase program they have while in Tech School (they didn't have this while I was in Tech School).
The girls are still excited and proud of mommy. I think we are going to make of of those ring things, like the ones made at Christmas time, to count down the days until my wife graduates BMT and Tech School. I figure this would be a good way for the girls to count how many days it'll be until they get to see mommy. We're getting accustomed to me taking care of the nightly stuff, that way the girls will be adjusted by the time Ship date gets here. I'm sure the time will pass by quickly, but we will still miss mommy and I will still miss my wife. Important thing is that we are all very proud of her and what she is doing.
One of the big items is insurance, and in the military it's TriCare. With my wife in the Guard, she's eligible for TriCare Select, which is still extremely more substantial for a lesser price than what she is paying now at work. The big questions come into play of, once she goes to BMT and Tech how fast does it switch over to TriCare Prime and what does that cost (still less than current), and what all does it cover. We have started to make a list of all these questions for my wife to ask her Family Readiness Officer at her next drill. It's the fine things that will jump up and bite you when you least expect it or need.
Some of the other items that we are having to go ahead and contemplate is school registration (middle daughter will start K next fall but will have to be registered while my wife is in training), making sure of all my oldest daughters Girl Scout activities and when wellness checkups will need to be scheduled, and then the important schedule, when will I be able to go visit my wife while she is away at Tech school. Looks like it'll be at least a month before I will be able to do that, and that is strictly due to the new phase program they have while in Tech School (they didn't have this while I was in Tech School).
The girls are still excited and proud of mommy. I think we are going to make of of those ring things, like the ones made at Christmas time, to count down the days until my wife graduates BMT and Tech School. I figure this would be a good way for the girls to count how many days it'll be until they get to see mommy. We're getting accustomed to me taking care of the nightly stuff, that way the girls will be adjusted by the time Ship date gets here. I'm sure the time will pass by quickly, but we will still miss mommy and I will still miss my wife. Important thing is that we are all very proud of her and what she is doing.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Date Has Been Set...
Well, my wife stayed home with me today after a procedure I had at the VA yesterday to take care of me and also because she had some paperwork to take care of at Little Rock AFB.
I won't go into what paperwork she was taking care of over an open website blog, but the appointment was to take up to several hours. Today, since she had everything in line, she was able to get done a little early, so she decided to head over to the eduction building to see if she could get a ship date for BMT. She had called and told me she was going to do this.
I told her that while I wanted to know when her ship date was, I also didn't want to know. For some reason, I'm a little nervous, even though, I know everyone will survive and she will do great. She called me after she left the Education office and she told me her ship date is...13 Feb 12, with an estimated graduation date of 12 Apr 13. The good thing is she'll get to come home for a couple weeks prior her to shipping to Tech School in Wichita Falls, Texas.
This will be a huge time for us since I will get to see my wife for a couple weeks an the girls and her will get a couple weeks of catchup time. Then she will have to ship out again for three months, then she will be back for good...or at least until her next TDY.
So, I guess over the next 4 months or so, we will be going over final preparations for her departure to BMT. I know it's going to be a fairly busy time and that time will go by too quickly for my liking, but I also know, that we will all survive in true military fashion. There's no I can't or we won't, only I cans and we will make it. We, as military dependents, don't have a choice in the matter except to make the best of our time and to keep things going while our loved ones are away.
I won't go into what paperwork she was taking care of over an open website blog, but the appointment was to take up to several hours. Today, since she had everything in line, she was able to get done a little early, so she decided to head over to the eduction building to see if she could get a ship date for BMT. She had called and told me she was going to do this.
I told her that while I wanted to know when her ship date was, I also didn't want to know. For some reason, I'm a little nervous, even though, I know everyone will survive and she will do great. She called me after she left the Education office and she told me her ship date is...13 Feb 12, with an estimated graduation date of 12 Apr 13. The good thing is she'll get to come home for a couple weeks prior her to shipping to Tech School in Wichita Falls, Texas.
This will be a huge time for us since I will get to see my wife for a couple weeks an the girls and her will get a couple weeks of catchup time. Then she will have to ship out again for three months, then she will be back for good...or at least until her next TDY.
So, I guess over the next 4 months or so, we will be going over final preparations for her departure to BMT. I know it's going to be a fairly busy time and that time will go by too quickly for my liking, but I also know, that we will all survive in true military fashion. There's no I can't or we won't, only I cans and we will make it. We, as military dependents, don't have a choice in the matter except to make the best of our time and to keep things going while our loved ones are away.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
First Drill: Day 2
Well today was a little more of the same as yesterday. Stephanie was the first one to arrive for formation, I wouldn't let her leave late anyway. We have a tendency in our house to make sure we are at least 15-30 minutes early for everything. This is one of the side effects of having grown up in a military household, along with having been military myself.
I woke up again this morning at 0400 to see Stephanie off for her drill, I assume this will be a common practice in our house until she is no longer in years and years down the road. I'm just so proud of her, that I want to make sure she knows as she is walking out the door to go to drill to serve this country of ours.
After I saw Stephanie off this morning I sat up and waited for the girls to get up so I could cook them breakfast. After a great breakfast, I decided to surprise Steph by cleaning the kitchen and folding some laundry. The girls and I also had a pretty relaxed day as well and we watched a couple movies together through the day.
While Stephanie is on her way home, I like to talk to her about her day. Today, first thing she did was go get her first issue of her military ID then she learned to march military style. She said they pretty much marched all day. Ah, I remember those days... She also took a test over ranks and insignias, which she said she did fine for enlisted, but not so good on the officer side of things...so to surprise her, I immediately made rank flash cards for her to help her with this. Then she went on to PT. She said she did pretty good in her run. She was the first female to cross the line and the second overall. Also, the trainer for the training flight had and inspection this morning of the troops, and Stephanie was told that everything was great and that her hair looked great and perfectly within reg.
Once Stephanie made it home, she was pretty happy to see a super clean kitchen and folded clothes. I figure its the least I could do to help since she was on drill.
All in all, it was a great first weekend of drill for Stephanie and me at home taking care of the girls. I had some withdrawals from not having my wife around and not being able to see her or talk to her, but that is some of my own demons I will have to work on.
Next step, is to just continue to help Stephanie with her push-ups, sit-ups and continue to push her to run and help her with her form while running.
I woke up again this morning at 0400 to see Stephanie off for her drill, I assume this will be a common practice in our house until she is no longer in years and years down the road. I'm just so proud of her, that I want to make sure she knows as she is walking out the door to go to drill to serve this country of ours.
After I saw Stephanie off this morning I sat up and waited for the girls to get up so I could cook them breakfast. After a great breakfast, I decided to surprise Steph by cleaning the kitchen and folding some laundry. The girls and I also had a pretty relaxed day as well and we watched a couple movies together through the day.
While Stephanie is on her way home, I like to talk to her about her day. Today, first thing she did was go get her first issue of her military ID then she learned to march military style. She said they pretty much marched all day. Ah, I remember those days... She also took a test over ranks and insignias, which she said she did fine for enlisted, but not so good on the officer side of things...so to surprise her, I immediately made rank flash cards for her to help her with this. Then she went on to PT. She said she did pretty good in her run. She was the first female to cross the line and the second overall. Also, the trainer for the training flight had and inspection this morning of the troops, and Stephanie was told that everything was great and that her hair looked great and perfectly within reg.
Once Stephanie made it home, she was pretty happy to see a super clean kitchen and folded clothes. I figure its the least I could do to help since she was on drill.
All in all, it was a great first weekend of drill for Stephanie and me at home taking care of the girls. I had some withdrawals from not having my wife around and not being able to see her or talk to her, but that is some of my own demons I will have to work on.
Next step, is to just continue to help Stephanie with her push-ups, sit-ups and continue to push her to run and help her with her form while running.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
First Drill...
Well, my wife had her first drill today. From the debriefing I received a majority of the day was mainly filled with in-processing with interruptions from new recruits getting everyone else in trouble for falling asleep during briefings.
She said the day was filled with push-ups and flutter kicks, but all in all a decent day, I think so might be a little wore out though.
On my side of things at the house though it was a different story. The morning started out nice and early, since I wanted to see my wife off to her first day pulling drill. We woke up bright and early this morning at 0400 to get our days going. After the girls finally woke up, I cooked them a nice hardy breakfast of scrambled eggs, biscuits and bacon.
After breakfast, I figured I would sit the girls down and have a talk with them. I discussed what mommy was doing an how important it was and that they should be extremely proud of what she is doing...which they were. We decided to give wife/mommy a surprise once she got home, so we decided to clean the living room up and clean their bedrooms up nice and clean. While the girls were working on their bedrooms, I decided to tackle the kitchen and also get stuff ready to make chex mix with the girls in the afternoon.
Now, it was a pretty relaxed day, but I on the other hand was a nervous wreck. Nervous because I wanted my wife to do well and not get discouraged by anything that might happen on her first day, I know how the military can be at times. Plus, I just wanted my wife to do good. Well, I figured that the cell phones would have to be put up while they were training (we didn't have to worry about that in 1995 when I was in), but I figured I would at least get a text or quick call during chow time, but received none. So needless to say, I was extremely happy to receive a phone call finally after she finished the day.
Once she made it home, the girls surprised mommy with cards that they had made saying how proud they were of her and saying that she did a good job. All in all, it was a good day, with the only anxiety coming on my part. LOL. Oh well, guess I better get used to her not being able to call much over the 6 month period she will be in BMT and Tech School.
We will survive though, like al military families do and in military fashion...we will just roll with the punches.
She said the day was filled with push-ups and flutter kicks, but all in all a decent day, I think so might be a little wore out though.
On my side of things at the house though it was a different story. The morning started out nice and early, since I wanted to see my wife off to her first day pulling drill. We woke up bright and early this morning at 0400 to get our days going. After the girls finally woke up, I cooked them a nice hardy breakfast of scrambled eggs, biscuits and bacon.
After breakfast, I figured I would sit the girls down and have a talk with them. I discussed what mommy was doing an how important it was and that they should be extremely proud of what she is doing...which they were. We decided to give wife/mommy a surprise once she got home, so we decided to clean the living room up and clean their bedrooms up nice and clean. While the girls were working on their bedrooms, I decided to tackle the kitchen and also get stuff ready to make chex mix with the girls in the afternoon.
Now, it was a pretty relaxed day, but I on the other hand was a nervous wreck. Nervous because I wanted my wife to do well and not get discouraged by anything that might happen on her first day, I know how the military can be at times. Plus, I just wanted my wife to do good. Well, I figured that the cell phones would have to be put up while they were training (we didn't have to worry about that in 1995 when I was in), but I figured I would at least get a text or quick call during chow time, but received none. So needless to say, I was extremely happy to receive a phone call finally after she finished the day.
Once she made it home, the girls surprised mommy with cards that they had made saying how proud they were of her and saying that she did a good job. All in all, it was a good day, with the only anxiety coming on my part. LOL. Oh well, guess I better get used to her not being able to call much over the 6 month period she will be in BMT and Tech School.
We will survive though, like al military families do and in military fashion...we will just roll with the punches.
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