A New Year, A New Adventure

As we begin 2011, I want to start by wishing all my fellow military spouses a very happy new year. I hope 2011 brings you all the best. My new year has started off well. I have gotten myself organized and geared up for the year, but change is on the horizon.

Toward the end of 2010, my husband found out he would be going to recruiting school.

This news brought excitement, stress, sadness, anticipation, and fear.

I felt excitement, because this is a new adventure, a new place, a new opportunity.

I felt stress thinking about what all this news meant: PCS, paperwork, me in the middle of college, and my kids.

I felt sadness at the thought of leaving some amazing friends behind. I had built a lot of great friendships here in Virginia, and I was going to miss a lot of wonderful people.

I felt anticipation at the thought embarking on this new journey. Part of me was really ready, and I knew there would be a lot of new opportunities for me.

The fear I felt came from fear of the unknown. I have never experienced life away from an installation. I have always been surrounded by military families and resources. I realized, for the first time, that this would be a real change.

What would it feel like to almost be living a civilian life away from the military?

Where would my service member be recruiting? What would it be like? Would my husband like it?

So, in true military spouse fashion, I drew on my now 14 years of experience with the Army and started empowering myself by searching for the answers. I began by writing down all my questions on a piece of paper, then I went straight to Google and, of course, my beloved Army Wife Network.

I found so many women who were already on a recruiting journey, and some that were just beginning it like I was. I have received some amazing tips and advice. I have learned more about recruiting command and how it has changed over the years.

I soon realized that the wonderful part of this life is that I am never truly alone. I can always find spouses who relate to what I’m going through and can give me some amazing insight into what lies ahead.

Now, as I wait to find out where we are going, I feel less dread and stress and more excitement and determination. I feel determined because I have the tools to empower myself thanks to some amazing resources and some truly amazing spouses. I am looking forward to this next chapter of my military spouse life, and I also look forward to getting to share my experiences with you and hopefully give other spouses that same excitement and drive.