Military brides?

[Krissy]

Anyone else married or getting married to the military? DH will be celebrating his 8th anniversary of joining the Navy next weekend.

[~Crystal~]

I'm marrying a Soldier!!! He's joined 4 years ago and has 1 year left~

[Krissy]

Will he be re-enlisting?

DH gets out next year. We can't wait!

[~Crystal~]

Will he be re-enlisting?

DH gets out next year. We can't wait!

NO WAY...LOL He's had enough of the Army. Plus, before we got engaged I told him if he re-enlists I'm not waiting around!:) So, we both are looking forward to July of next year...No more army~

[MrsAbi]

My FH is currently an Army ROTC cadet. He'll be comissioning a couple weeks before the wedding.

I'm currently going through being discharged. I was diagnoised with asthma 3 years ago at basic training (Air National Guard). However, I'm a pre-dental student and, with FH's battalion commander's help, am going to try for a waiver before I go to dental school. He (BC) thinks I have a good shot at a scholarship and comission through Army medical command.

We both come from big military families. His Army, mine Air Force.

We're getting married on the Air Force base where my parents and I were stationed.

[Rebecca]

FH had been in the Army 13 1/2 years and we are currently in MN for his current job as a recruiter! LONG hours...which sucks but he is never tired of serving his country. Takes a special person to be military that is for sure. We have 2 1/2 years left here in MN and he really has not decided if he is going to re-up since of course we would both love for him to get 20 years for retirement but his job really is that bad! Rather depressing really...any other recruiter brides?? He works M-Thurs pretty much 8am-7/10pm...Fri and Sat 8-5...then thankfully has Sun. off! A little vent there huh...what was the question? are you a military bride! :rofl:

[Krissy]

Wow MisssAbi you have a whole military family!

don't worry rbloom, I can symphathize with you! DH has been leaving before 4 am and hasn't been getting home until 6 lately. Totally sucks. Why can't these subs fix themselves?

[MrsAbi]

So did any of you incorporate any military elements into your weddings? Or plan to?

Here's what we're doing:

Marrying on a base
All military members in uniform
FH and my dad will be wearing sabers/swords
We will have a saber arch
We will be cutting the cake with a saber

The colors will be flying at our ceremony and reception
(We will have an Army flag, Air Force flag, and Stars & Stripes. Our Stars & Stripes flag that we'll be using was given to my dad at his retirement. It was flown over the base in a C-130, the aircraft I worked on.)

We will be lighting a memorial candle for those who can't be with us.
(On the alter in front of the candle, we will have a folded flag that was flown over the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. It was also given to my dad at his retirement.)

We are giving out chocolate coins for favors that are specially molded to resemble the metal coins given out in the military for special events.

In additon to our favors, we are making a donation to the Disabled Veterans of America.

Overall our wedding is going to have a 1940s/WWII vibe to it. Most of the inspiration comes from the two canteen films (Stage Door Canteen & Hollywood Canteen). The canteens were set up to entertain the troops while they were home. These two canteens were mostly staffed by celebrities. Think GI meets Hollywood starlet. Clips from Stage Door Canteen are going to play during the cocktail hour.

During WWII, fabric was being rationed. So many brides used the material from the parachutes their FHs used during the war. We purchased a white silk parachute that will be used to line the inside of my dress.

[yogi_deuce]

Hey everyone. My Dh is in the Navy. He has done 15 yrs and so we have 5 more to go.

[Krissy]

No, nothing military for us. DH isn't totally into it all so he didn't want it really. But we did get married on a chapel on base.

Hey Yogi! Welcome! Are you already married?

[yogi_deuce]

Thanks. I have been married for 18 yrs (15 of those military. First Army and then Navy). We are having a few things military in our renewal. He is wearing his Dress Whites, our cake server set is a Navy one, we have a ship cake for the kids, using a Navy chaplain, and that is about it.

[~Lizzybeth~]

Yes, actually, FH is Army. He has already done his time though and had finished before I even met him!

[Rebecca]

FH is wearing his dress blues but other than that nothing else military. Neither of us wanted the whole military significance throughout the ceremony and prefered it to be more religous centered. I did get my garter set as a surprise for him...check it out!
http://images1.snapfish.com/34762%3C28%3B%7Ffp33%3A%3Enu%3D3278%3E345%3E%3B82% 3EWSNRCG%3D323365%3A%3B%3A944%3Anu0mrj
http://images1.snapfish.com/34762%3C28%3B%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3278%3E345%3E%3B82% 3EWSNRCG%3D323365%3A%3B%3A8634nu0mrj

[MrsAbi]

That garter is adorable!

[Rebecca]

Thanks great quality and price! ...gartersbygingersnap...

[yogi_deuce]

What branch and where are you stationed?
Dh is Navy and he is stationed on shore duty in Portsmouth, VA.

Please remember OPSEC when posting

[MrsAbi]

Patrick is in Army ROTC at the University of Michigan. He's just a baby cadet :).

[~Crystal~]

Will is Army and has been stationed in San Antonio for over a year now (Lackland AFB)

[MrsAbi]

Will is Army and has been stationed in San Antonio for over a year now (Lackland AFB)

Oh how I loathed Lackland. San Antonio was nice though.

[Krissy]

What's OPSEC?

DH is Navy and is on shore duty in Groton, CT.

[yogi_deuce]

OPerational SECurity is very important to understand when dealing with the government. OPSEC helps to protect classified and unclassified information that our government has. It Is very important for everyone to understand. There are many key points of OPSEC that will be pointed out below in this briefing.

For us it is important to keep the information of the military person we know safe. In the wrong hands, the unclassified information YOU possess could cause potentially grave harm to the United States or your military service member.


In addition I created a sticky post with easy to follow guidelines.

[Krissy]

Oh right, like sea schedules and whatnot. I would NEVER post that on here. Way too important.

I'd just never heard it refered to as OPSEC is all.

[yogi_deuce]

Oh right, like sea schedules and whatnot. I would NEVER post that on here. Way too important.

I'd just never heard it refered to as OPSEC is all.

That is exactly what it is. Like you can't say the USS Nameofship is coming into port in Norfolk the 22nd of Thismonth. Or FH's unit is moving from Ghanistan to Raki by convoy after midnight this weekend. Or FH is doing carrier landings down in the Gulf this Thurs.

Just don't mention specific dates, times or locations and you will be fine. Saying where you are stationed is no big deal.

Krissy some people who are marrying into the military and haven't spent a lot of time around a base or whatever don't know about OPSEC. You would be amazed at what some people put on the internet. On MySpace a girlfriend was posting everything her DB was telling her. I mean nitty gritty troup movements. It ended up getting her DB in loads of trouble. I wanted to be sure that didn't happen here. Any forum that has military specific talk should have OPSEC posted.

[Krissy]

Oh I hear ya!

Back when Bob was on a boat we were constantly reminded not to talk about schedules in public and whatnot.

Thanks for the reminder though, it is very important!

[mrrr]

Hi everyone! Both FH and I are in the NG. We're not doing anything military with the wedding though. We like to leave it separate.

[Krissy]

Hi mrrr!

[Poloke]

I'm just stopping in to say you ladies are some brave chics! It takes alot of courage to be a military wife!

My cousin is in the Navy, and I can only imagine what its like for his newlywed wife while he's on the ship for x months at a clip...

We aren't military, but just wanted to stop in and say hi & send my best wishes & safe returns vibes your ways....

[sweetiez]

Fh will be joinning after we are married.. im so scared

[Krissy]

What is he joining?

[sweetiez]

Right now we are thinking the Air force.
what is everyones fh/dh's in!?

[Krissy]

Navy

[mrrr]

We're both Army NG.

[MrsAbi]

FH is an Army cadet. He comissions in December. I'll be joining him after I finish undergrad (hopefully).

[Rebecca]

SO everyone here will understand what I am going through...my FH got an email that his assignment has been shortened but for how long? We were not sure for about 2 weeks but finally got the info that it is being shortened by 1 year. So it puts us moving somewhere next July...which is great b/c the weddign is safe :) but I am not used to this uncertanty in life! I knew marring into the military would take some getting used to but I am so scared right now! What if we move somewhere I can not xfer with my company? We are starting a family as soon as we get married so how far will I be from my Mom when I give birth? on and on....I am getting a little depressed right now thinking of it all! Tim is an Army recruiter right now and his hours at work are insane!! He works till 9-10 every night except Friday and Saturday where he is home normally by 6 with one day off a week on Sunday! Once we move his job is changing (which is wonderful) but until then I am alone A LOT!!! I like it sometimes but being without friends and family sucks! I nkow I should not be complaining b/c I knew what I was getting into and I will do anything for Tim and our relationship but I get so sad being alone all the time. Then comes making friends...I have this whole feeling of, well I am not going to be here long so why even try to make friends...depressing!! Just wanted to vent to fellow military brides! Can not wait for the next 6 years to be over and TIm can retire with 20 years and we can move home to NC!!

[Krissy]

Oh honey, I totally hear ya!

As far as the what-ifs, you honestly have to try not to think about them. Things have a way of working out. You may move far away, but mom can come visit or you can go home once in a while. It sucks, but we get through it!

I'm sorry you're feeling depressed about the friends stuff. I think we've all been there. I know you may only be there six months, but I would still try to meet people, heck even if it's through military groups. Definitely my last resort but you might meet someone like you! People move a lot in the military so you just make friends where you are, some of them you will lose touch with and some will be in contact for years to come! Just goes along with the other stuff!

[Rebecca]

Thanks...I just can not keep myself from wishing the next 6 years away when we can settle in NC and buy a home, plant a garden etc. etc...Got to stop thinking like this though it is not good.

[yogi_deuce]

I know so well what you are feeling. But let me assure you it does get easier. DH has been military for 15 yrs now. Moving is what you make it. Being away from family is always hard. I would like to say being a military spouse is hard but it has improved. When DH first joined there was only snail mail and phone. We didn't have the internet to keep us connected with family and friends. Now those dear to us are a click away. I know it isn't the same but it beats writing a letter and waiting for a reply.

2 of our children were born overseas. So once again I know how it is to want Mommy to be there. Hopefully you will be somewhere she can readily visit when the time comes. I wish you the best on starting your family.

I would like to say for as difficult as being a military family is the rewards are great. My children have lived in foreign countries. They are fluent in several languages. Their passports have been filled. I would not trade it for anything. And neither would they. Our extended families are close to the kids because we made sure to visit when possible and communicate in other ways when it wasn't.

Friends come and go especially in the military. But you always have a bond with the new faces. So that seems to help. Plus you have us. I have been away for a few months but I am going to spend a lil more time on line. Feel free to drop a note if you ever need to vent or just talk. There are a few military spouse websites. You might check into those. I won't give you the name of any because I don't want to violate any policy.

Employment is another issue for a military spouse. I will be posting here soon about some legislation that needs some support. I have managed to complete college while moving with DH where ever they sent us. Staying employed was a totally different issue. Unless you work for a place like Wal Mart it is hard to transfer as much as your spouse will.

I hope everything works out. Be positive is my best advice

[Rebecca]

I am going to school online so it will not matter where we get sent I will be able to continue with school...did think about that a lot and am paying much more for school than at a typical university but it is worth it for no stress! I have come to terms a little more with the next 6 years. I am excited about moving now (at least more than I was before)...I think it is hard to not be on a base right now! I hope wherever we go next, we will be able to live on base and be surrounded by other military families! Especially starting a family, I really think it will be much easier to be living around other military people! I will check into other chat groups for military support...thanks!!

[MrsAbi]

Hey ladies, I was just looking at the bank accounts thread and I wanted to know how all of you handle your accounts (Separate? joint?).

Patrick has to report for the first part of his officer training the day afer the wedding, so we need to figure all this before he goes.

[Rebecca]

Together for the most part...I also have an account I put a set amount into each payday as does Tim so that we have our own free play money! (also good for buying surprise gifts for each other!)

[yogi_deuce]

We have a joint checking and a joint savings. Whether he is at home or away or we live apart for whatever reasons, I handle paying all the bills. For awhile I was living in OK letting our oldest finish high school and he was here in VA. Out of our joint account I paid the bills online.

We made a budget and he knows how much he has a week to "spend". Same for me. After the bills, monthly expenses, and our spending money the rest of our money goes into savings. We don't have separate accounts. To us we follow the "what's yours is mine and whats mine is yours". It works for us. For secret gifts and purchases we each have a $500.00 credit card that is paid each month. That way we can buy each other gifts without the other knowing.

[Krissy]

We have joint checking and savings. His pay is direct deposited in to checking. I put mine into whichever account it's meant for. Then I pay all the bills from checking.

[MrsAbi]

Patrick said he was talking to a cadre member and they said something about a program for college. It's a network of colleges where you pick one host college and you can attend classes at any of the colleges and all of the credits count. It's so military members and their families can travel together and still graduate.

Does anyone know the name of this program?

[yogi_deuce]

Patrick said he was talking to a cadre member and they said something about a program for college. It's a network of colleges where you pick one host college and you can attend classes at any of the colleges and all of the credits count. It's so military members and their families can travel together and still graduate.

Does anyone know the name of this program?

I wanted you to know I am trying to get some info for you. I know this thread goes weeks without posts and I really do read them as soon as they are posted. So I is I find out anything I will post all the info I can for you.

[Mandy&Nick]

Hello everyone, I've recently joined the boards. I am an Air Force wife, DH got orders this time last year and we quickly married in Lake Tahoe last February so that I could come with him.. DH has been in 8 years with plans for 20. I spent four years in we met at Travis AFB, CA. I separated in 2005 to go to college part time.

[yogi_deuce]

welcome

[Rebecca]

Welcome Mandy!

[Mandy&Nick]

Hi Rbloom and Yogi :wave: