Any Air Force (or Military) Wives on here?

[OutinChgoburbs]

Glad I was in the Navy, Paul. That sounds a lot worse than a gabage can down the centerboard at 0430, lights snapped on, and hearing, “Reveille, reveille! Heave ho and thrice up! The uniform of the day is undress blue with sweater. Sweepers, sweepers! Man your brooms. Make a clean sweep fore and aft, clean all scuttlebutts and empty all receptacles. Now sweepers!”

 

[KayDeeNici]

Not a military wife here, but I was in the Army. I was also a linguist and stationed at the DLI. You will likely end up with housing on old Fort Ord, which is actually about 20 minutes from the DLI. Monterey is a GREAT place, very beautiful and pretty easy to get around. There used to be a farmers market on Alverado every Tuesday, which was always very nice.

As far that the DLI itself, the length of classes are as follows (at least they were in 2000):
CAT I -26 weeks
CAT II- 37 weeks
CAT III- 47 weeks
CAT IV- 63 weeks

You should take into account that there are alot of 4-day weekends, holidays and a class break (if he is taking a CAT III-IV language) that will fill alot of the calendar time. The CAT I & II students did not recieve a break. My actual class length was 47 weeks, and it wound up being exactly 53 weeks that I was stationed in Monterey.

• I second the push-ups for mail. I turned 18 during the last week of boot camp, and I was paying those letters/cards/postcards off until right before graduation :bigyikes: On the other hand, on my final PT test I did 78 push ups in two minutes.

 

[sydney28]

Looks like you’ve already received lots of good advice, but I just wanted to offer my support as well My husband is in the army and he did the same kind of thing yours did - enlisted with college credit, went to basic and then onto advanced training. We actually spent the first 6 months of our marriage in two different states…and our first time to live together (ever) was at his first duty station in Germany - where we are currently.

Best of luck and if you need a fellow wife to chat with feel free to PM me

 

[lavendarsweets]

Hi! I’m an AF wife of 8 years. My hubby has been in the service for 13 years now. We have four children and there have been several times when he has been TDY. Its hard but if you stay busy, things will go a lot easier. I find myself doing little craft projects around the house that I wouldn’t otherwise do.

Being pregnant, you might be a little more emotional than normal. If you feel like crying, do so, but then move on. It won’t do you or your baby any good if you start to feel depressed.

Congratulations on your new little one. And good luck to you and your husband as he starts his AF career. I really love the military for all the services and experiences we have had. Hopefully you will feel the same way.

Amy

 

[armywife]

My DH just got back last week from a 14-month deployment.:extrahappy::dancing: It was his second year-long deployment but I’d say he’s been gone somewhere around half of our seven year marriage.

I mentioned the above not for a pity party, but to let you know it all get’s easier and also the AF hardly ever deploys for more than six months at a time. I know you haven’t been married long so this basic course is really difficult but the most important thing you can do is be strong for him. My husband always says the deployments are much easier knowing I am able to take care of myself and he doesn’t have to worry about me and the kids all the time. If at all possible try not to cry on the phone. It’s really hard, (trust me I know. I never cry at the plane, but am sobbing on the drive home or in bed that night), but your hubby will be more at ease knowing you’re ok. Feel free to PM me anytime if you need some support.

 

[blessed_wife]

Not a military wife here, but I was in the Army. I was also a linguist and stationed at the DLI. You will likely end up with housing on old Fort Ord, which is actually about 20 minutes from the DLI. Monterey is a GREAT place, very beautiful and pretty easy to get around. There used to be a farmers market on Alverado every Tuesday, which was always very nice.

As far that the DLI itself, the length of classes are as follows (at least they were in 2000):
CAT I -26 weeks
CAT II- 37 weeks
CAT III- 47 weeks
CAT IV- 63 weeks

You should take into account that there are alot of 4-day weekends, holidays and a class break (if he is taking a CAT III-IV language) that will fill alot of the calendar time. The CAT I & II students did not recieve a break. My actual class length was 47 weeks, and it wound up being exactly 53 weeks that I was stationed in Monterey.

• I second the push-ups for mail. I turned 18 during the last week of boot camp, and I was paying those letters/cards/postcards off until right before graduation :bigyikes: On the other hand, on my final PT test I did 78 push ups in two minutes.

Thanks for sharing your own experiences! My husband scored a 109 on the DLAB, so it looks like he will be in the CAT III level as well. He is hoping for Hebrew, but that will be based upon God’s Will and the needs of the AF. At least we can look forward to the breaks and 4-day weekends Of course, I understand the studies are time consuming and extremely strenuous!

What language did you learn, if you do not mind my knowing?

Yesterday, I wrote in a letter to my husband what his fellow military men have had to say about push-ups and mail. I told him he will have me to thank when he is the fittest man in his flight

Thanks again for your response! Peace!

 

[blessed_wife]

Hi! I’m an AF wife of 8 years… Amy

Hi Amy,

Thanks for posting! God bless you, your husband, and family! I remember the day when my husband’s recruiter asked me, “So, are YOU joining the AF?” I just laughed and then he looked me straight in the eye and said, “Well YOU are too! You are in the AF along with your husband.” I am already learning that that is the truth!

Thanks be to God, I am not being too emotional right now. I cried a lot the weekend before my husband left as I would look into his eyes and realize I wouldn’t be able to for the next several weeks. I was pretty sad the first day he was gone too, but am keeping my spirits up now by planning the trip for his Graduation and enjoying the nice sunny, warm weather Chicagoland is finally experiencing!

It is great to hear about fellow military wives own experiences and to have your support!

Thanks!

 

[blessed_wife]

My DH just got back last week from a 14-month deployment.:extrahappy::dancing: It was his second year-long deployment but I’d say he’s been gone somewhere around half of our seven year marriage.

I mentioned the above not for a pity party, but to let you know it all get’s easier and also the AF hardly ever deploys for more than six months at a time. I know you haven’t been married long so this basic course is really difficult but the most important thing you can do is be strong for him. My husband always says the deployments are much easier knowing I am able to take care of myself and he doesn’t have to worry about me and the kids all the time. If at all possible try not to cry on the phone. It’s really hard, (trust me I know. I never cry at the plane, but am sobbing on the drive home or in bed that night), but your hubby will be more at ease knowing you’re ok. Feel free to PM me anytime if you need some support.

Thanks first of all for all of the sacrifices you, your husband, and family have made for our freedoms! God bless all of you!

I am heeding your advice to stay strong for my husband. I hope I do not cry the first time he calls (which I was told would probably be this weekend). At least, I will try my best not to let my voice quake or anything like that! Actually, I feel pretty good after today when I took care of the whole TriCare situation. The recruiter said my husband would be enrolling me in it by the first day he was at Basic. I want to go to a PCM ASAP so I can get a referral to an OB! I learned I need an ID card, so I have been calling the local Radids site offices this morning and will be going in early next week to obtain one! I already set up a doctor’s appt. with a PCM for next Friday morning. I am quite pleased about getting the ball rolling on this one, and taking care of business, so to say, while my husband is away. All of this is giving me extra confidence!

Thanks for your post!

 

[PaulinVA]

Thanks for sharing your own experiences! My husband scored a 109 on the DLAB, so it looks like he will be in the CAT III level as well. He is hoping for Hebrew, but that will be based upon God’s Will and the needs of the AF.

Oh, you don’t know what language? Well, that will be an adventure, then.

Wow. We used to have discussions about which language was hardest to learn, but, really, unless you’ve taken a few you really don’t know, do you?

I took Russian, which is no longer the number one need. My vote, based on the present situation, would be Arabic, but what do I know.

 

[blessed_wife]

Oh, you don’t know what language? Well, that will be an adventure, then.

Wow. We used to have discussions about which language was hardest to learn, but, really, unless you’ve taken a few you really don’t know, do you?

I took Russian, which is no longer the number one need. My vote, based on the present situation, would be Arabic, but what do I know.

Well, my husband wanted Arabic, but you have to score in the CAT IV range for that one. He was only one point away from that group, so who knows…maybe the AF will assign him that one. He already knows Mandarin since he lived in China with his family for several years as a child and then studied it in university…so maybe he will even be assigned that one. We’ll just have to be patient to find out!

 

[armywife]

See, you’re already learning how to do everything! It is a bit of a confidence booster when you learn to handle the system and do everything you need to do. The only problem is (at least in my situation) my DH knows I can handle most things so I always have to ask if I need help, instead of him just doing it. Tricare is pretty good, but can be a pain sometimes.

I bet they give him Mandarin. We have a friend who know Mandarin and that’s the language they gave him. I wouldn’t wish for Arabic, or else he’ll be spending a lot of time away from home.

Good luck

 

[blessed_wife]

See, you’re already learning how to do everything! It is a bit of a confidence booster when you learn to handle the system and do everything you need to do. The only problem is (at least in my situation) my DH knows I can handle most things so I always have to ask if I need help, instead of him just doing it. Tricare is pretty good, but can be a pain sometimes.

I bet they give him Mandarin. We have a friend who know Mandarin and that’s the language they gave him. I wouldn’t wish for Arabic, or else he’ll be spending a lot of time away from home.

Good luck

Yeah, I hear you on the Arabic! I told that exact thing to my husband but he is thinking it would be one of the best languages to learn if he goes into the private sector rather than stay AF for the long haul.

You made me laugh about “your problem.” I understand what you mean! In fact, in our situation, my husband fears that he is becoming too dependent upon me! Ha! It is just he is so very forgetful so I have to keep up on things. And, in my opinion, women are just more gifted in thinking of “future problems or events” and preparing for them (which includes the simple thought to bring band aids with when going on a trip), while men are better at living in the “now.” Well, that may not be true for everyone, but it is for my husband and me!

 

[MaryCatherine08]

Hi

I am an army wife. My DH has been deployed to Iraq three times now and Afghanistan once(with numerous smaller seperations- too many to count). I know the first seperation is really tough. Keep busy. Find something to focus on- volunteer, charity, whatever. Keep praying. Those are the keys.

Feel free to pm me if you need to know anything specific.

 

[KayDeeNici]

Thanks for sharing your own experiences! My husband scored a 109 on the DLAB, so it looks like he will be in the CAT III level as well. He is hoping for Hebrew, but that will be based upon God’s Will and the needs of the AF. At least we can look forward to the breaks and 4-day weekends Of course, I understand the studies are time consuming and extremely strenuous!

What language did you learn, if you do not mind my knowing?

Yesterday, I wrote in a letter to my husband what his fellow military men have had to say about push-ups and mail. I told him he will have me to thank when he is the fittest man in his flight

Thanks again for your response! Peace!

I was originally slated for Russian, however, ended up learning Farsi. Since he has experience in Mandarin, he may want to go ahead and take the FLO/DLPT tests if the Air Force will let him. It may or may not end up adding more money to his paycheck, depending on how well he scores. We had several people who took the Spanish proficiency tests, and rated well enough to pass those tests, as well as the langauge they were studying for the military.

 

[armywife]

Yeah, I hear you on the Arabic! I told that exact thing to my husband but he is thinking it would be one of the best languages to learn if he goes into the private sector rather than stay AF for the long haul.

You made me laugh about “your problem.” I understand what you mean! In fact, in our situation, my husband fears that he is becoming too dependent upon me! Ha! It is just he is so very forgetful so I have to keep up on things. And, in my opinion, women are just more gifted in thinking of “future problems or events” and preparing for them (which includes the simple thought to bring band aids with when going on a trip), while men are better at living in the “now.” Well, that may not be true for everyone, but it is for my husband and me!

It is too true. I handle all the money, the kids, the vacations and even the trash most of the time. Sometimes I wish he did more day-to-day things, but it’s really not possible. Life is much more regular in the AF, so it probably won’t be so chaotic. It’s all life changing. One doesn’t realize until they’re in it how the military is a little sub-culture.

 

[mholoth]

I have the oppososite problem, if you can actually call it that. I’m a little OCD, and when dh gets back from somewhere, he likes to help out. I have to really control myself to keep from having a meltdown about how he folds the hang up stuff or puts the plastics on the bottom rack of the dishwasher, or tries to make coffee in the morning-when I set it up in the evening-yes water spilling out from him filling it again! I will say the biggest relief when he gets home is that we get to split driving the kids to their activities (2 teenagers)-that is a killer when he is gone.

 

[fnz2thrght]

I’m a happy National Guard wife since 91. We’ve been though every school, every training, everything including deployment. It’s been a wild ride. DH h as been in for 25 years now and has never once thought of getting out. (he’s full time national guard as well) It makes me happy that he’s happy and it’s given him a life that he can be proud of and one that supports our family and allows me to stay home. It’s been a great life.

Whenver my dh is away we stay in touch with email and IM a LOT and letters. I took great comfort in the fact that dh was able to get to mass most weeks overseas. So encourage your dh to find other guys who will go with him. I know my dh would grab every Catholic he could find and they’d all go together.

During our last deployment we had so many things go wrong - both kids were diagnosed with chronic medical conditions, one very serious, I was hospitalize, just one thing after another but through it all I had my faith that this was exactly where I was supposed to be - that God had put me and our family in this place to do these things and I would do them.

God Bless you and your family!!!

 

[rayne89]

Wolseley,
How could you forget to tell her to send cookies???

Seriously, I was military too… and what Wolseley said about mail… totally true… write twice a day! I actually got the first piece of mail in my flight… The others got totally jealous when I had to go to the post office to pick up a package my husband sent overnight to me with pictures and a book…

Send his favorite cookies, but not too many… enough that he can share and eat it all in one sitting… you can’t have any food in the barracks!!! Send him stamps, pictures, and funny letters…

When my hubby was in bootcamp we couldn’t send any packages, just letters.

 

[blessed_wife]

When my hubby was in bootcamp we couldn’t send any packages, just letters.

Yeah, my husband was able to make his first phone call from BMT yesterday to just give me his contact address and he told me to only send letters, NO packages.

 

[rayne89]

I totally agree on the letter writing thing by the way. I wrote my hubby (then fiance) every single day. Sometimes it was letter, sometimes a card but I mailed something every single day. I clipped his favorite comic strips from the newspaper and sent them, sprayed the letters with my perfume sometimes, smooched them with lipstick cover lips sometimes, decorated them with stickers (I was 18/ he was 19), sent small photos -whatever I could think of to be creative. He said receiving so many letters was such a huge help to him. Oh and if you stick the postage stamp on the envelope up-side-down it’s supposed to mean I love you. Don’t know why but it started I think back in WWI or WWII, I believe.