DVIDS – News – Finding independence as a military spouse

find my career

When my husband and I started dating in 2016, he asked me if I was okay with the challenges that can come in a military relationship. I remember being nervous and excited for our future.

I spent the next few years continuing my education and starting a career in physical therapy until we moved to Ramstein Air Base. While living abroad, I put my career plan on hold and found a full-time job, but I still didn’t feel fulfilled in my work. In May 2021, I spoke to a US Air Force recruiter about recruitment.

The only person I told about a potential Air Force career at the time was my husband. I had spent my life deciding with my parents what path my life would take, so I had to make that decision on my own. I had toyed with the idea of ​​signing up for years and was struggling to go through with it. I thought I was letting people down by not continuing down the traditional college path, even though I wasn’t happy.

Eventually I told my family that I was committed and would most likely be going to training in the next few months. At first I didn’t get the support I was hoping for, but eventually my family found me. After so much research, no career seemed more exciting to me than Air Force public affairs.

my first step

Although everything seemed to fall into place, as a military wife, I knew that something was highly likely to happen that could interfere with our plans. About a month before I left for basic training, my husband and I began planning what life would be like while I was away for training. He planned to take me to the recruiter’s office the morning I left and be there for me as I swore and finally achieved my dream. Instead he started 72 hours before my shipment and we weren’t sure when he would be home.

The night before I left I had finished packing. The house was quiet, it was a unique feeling compared to any other time he had left. I usually had our dog with me to comfort me but I had brought him to a friend’s house as we were both away. The next morning I went alone to the recruiter, sworn in and took the shuttle to Frankfurt Airport.

The next 24 hours seemed like forever. I flew almost 12 hours to San Antonio, Texas and boarded a white bus to Joint Base San Antonio. After that, everything seemed blurry. Training had started and I always had my husband on my mind and hoped he was okay. When I first heard his voice on the phone, I cried. In a strange place I was reminded of home.

Overcome obstacles

Three weeks after training, I fell and injured my knee. At the time, medical staff were unable to determine what the injury was. My knee swelled twice as much and I could no longer put any weight on it. My dorm building didn’t have an elevator and I had to use crutches to climb to the third floor. Lucky me.

I was afraid my knee wouldn’t heal when I had to do a physical training test in week five. Medical staff had recommended I go through a medical board, but I prevailed and completed my test two days after I stopped using my crutches. I was determined to make it to high school.

Feel at home again

It’s the seventh week and I’m standing in parade rest at the Pfingston Reception Center waiting to see my family again. I try to look around hoping to see a familiar face when I look my husband in the eyes. He approaches me in his blue uniform and beret. I start to cry, but I never move from parade calm. The second he turned me off, we hugged and I felt at home again.

After spending six hours with my family, I had to say goodbye again. This time for six months. I spent the rest of the night packing my bag to fly to Maryland for technical training.

Overcome more obstacles together

My time in Maryland went well and I enjoyed learning about my new job. My husband called and said he was going to flight training soon. This was exciting news and something we had been waiting for for some time. It seemed like we were both doing great; I had finally started training for the job I had dreamed of and my husband was close to achieving his goal of attending flight school.

As my husband prepared for jump week, he warned me that he couldn’t speak much and I wouldn’t hear from him until the end of the day. His First Day of Jumping I waited patiently for any sign that his first jump had gone well. I was excited and nervous for him. He called me before I went to bed that night, but the news wasn’t what I was hoping to hear. He broke his ankle on the first jump. It was so difficult to comfort him on the phone knowing I wouldn’t be able to take care of him when he got home.

Towards the end of my technical training, my husband called me during a break and said he had an opportunity to do airborne training again. After discussing our options, we finally decided it would be best if he gave his dream another try.

Another chance for his dream

Shortly after I returned to Ramstein after training, my husband found out that he would be starting training soon. I was nervous for him but also still had to adjust to being at home after being away in a training environment for eight months. Once again I would be alone.

I told my husband to call me back after his first jump. The time difference didn’t matter. His success from his first jump continued and he earned his wings. I was so proud of him.

To have a front row seat to his success

When he returned to Ramstein, he was looking forward to his first jump. I was always hoping to see his first jump and because of my job I was lucky enough to get the chance.

On Friday January 20th 2023 I watched my husband and his team jump out of a C130-J Super Hercules. It was so exciting to see him achieve his goal.

Find independence as a military spouse

My husband has always been an inspiration for me to chase my dreams and not let the hard things get in the way.

I am proud to support my spouse and I am happy that he also supports me in what makes me happy.