Top Tips On How to Survive Life as a Military Girlfriend
Being someone’s girlfriend comes with many ups and downs and too many trials and tribulations but I don’t think anything compares to being a military girlfriend. Now that is a beast all on its own. I have put together the top tips for you to survive the military girlfriend lifestyle.
When I started dating my husband, he had already been in the military for over 10 years. I must say that is part of what attracted me to him. Come on, who doesn’t love a man (or woman) in uniform (right ladies)! However, I didn’t realize I was about to be dealing with a whole other level of a beast.
Through trial and error, laughs and tears I made it through the journey of being a military girlfriend and became an honorary wife. After all, isn’t it a girl’s happy ending to marry the man of her dreams (especially one in uniform)?! So here are my top tips on how to survive the military girlfriend lifestyle that I learned through my journey with my husband. I hope they help you and get you to your ultimate goal of marrying the man of your dreams.
- Being in a relationship with a military man is different than your girlfriend’s civilian relationship. Even though they mean the best, they most likely are just not going to understand sometimes. So why not make friends with people who understand the lifestyle? Facebook is great for finding communities of people who you can relate to. There is a ton of military girlfriend/spouse groups that are very supportive, can answer questions and keep you from going insane when your boyfriend is underway (and they will be underway a lot).
- Don’t jump into marriage right away. I’m going to say that again. Don’t jump into marriage right away. Give yourself time to get to know the lifestyle. The military lifestyle has its own unique set of challenges that not everyone will be able to handle and that’s okay. But before getting into marriage make sure this is the lifestyle for you. Know that marrying into the military lifestyle comes with a demanding job, constant moving around and lots of separations.
- One thing I learned the hard way is that I didn’t know everything about the military lifestyle and it was going to take a whole lot of time to learn it. I found myself feeling frustrated at times because I didn’t understand certain things. PCS, BAS, CONUS, MP, huh? Give it time girl, all in due time. It takes lots of time to learn the lingo and acronyms that come with the military lifestyle. Once you learn it you’re not going to have much interest in it anyway. So don’t rush it.
- Be flexible! If there’s one thing that I keep in the back of my head, its that things are always changing in the military. Nothing, I mean nothing is ever definite. I can’t tell you how many times my husbands homecoming dates have changed, how many times we’ve had to reschedule vacations and how much is work schedule varied. My husband would always tell me he never got excited about things until they were happening. Let’s just say, now I know why.
8 comments on “Top Tips On How to Survive Life as a Military Girlfriend”
Great tips, I have a few friends that are married to military men and I know it is not an easy life.
Being flexible is a must in a relationship!
Great post!
Being flexible is a must in a relationship!
Great post
Great tips! I’m sure that love can go through any trials 🙂
Interesting to read your story. Are you always on the road? If so it is also nice chance to spot new places.
Military life is very different! You’re so right, take time to learn it before you embrace it!
It sounds like a very unique lifestyle, and a lot of things to learn about if you aren’t familiar with it. I can see how you would definitely have to be flexible.
Great tips! Its a difficult life, and not for everyone for sure!