The United States Military exudes many diverse and desirable qualities through the officers and enlisted men it employs. These include dedication, resilience, pride, honor, and sacrifice. Love of country and love of the ideals our nation was built upon inspire men and women nationwide to join the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, and the Merchant Marines.
But for some, the sacrifice of military service was not something that was expected. Some who experience the rigor of military life were never sworn into serving the Armed Forces. For many, a military lifestyle is just another part of a person you love with your whole heart, just one more thing to learn and love about them.
Having just watched my childhood best friend commission as an Ensign the United States Navy, her military journey has pulled me into an entirely new world. And from the time I've spent here, I've complied a list of what I've learned to be universal truths.
1. There are regulations for everything.
If you could think to have a question about it, the military has a regulation for it. From the individual mustache hairs in the Navy being restricted to approximately 1/2 an inch (and not even discussing the restrictions on placement, trimming, and shape) to not being allowed to text and walk at the same time if in uniform, regulations are thorough, strict, and able to answer any situation.
2. At some point or another, you've tried on their cover.
Or their dog tags, jackets, boots... The uniform is cool, and you've put a piece of it on to feel slightly more badass.
3. You've gotten lost in a conversation because they dive into deep military lingo...
4. ...but after a while, those military terms sneak into your daily vocabulary.
You tracking?
5. You feel like you have a connection with the random military members you see on the street.
You know what they go through and sacrifice. You may even be able to recognize their branch and rank from their uniform. In every military personnel you see in your day to day life, you can see your loved one.
6. Being thanked for the "Battle on the Home Front" can be slightly uncomfortable.
The thanks is appreciated, I promise. Being away from your loved one is one of the hardest things in life, and the constant threat to their livelihood doesn't help. However, you feel like their sacrifice is the one that's truly important. You sacrifice your time with them, but they sacrifice everything they have. Loving them isn't a sacrifice at all, it's a blessing.
7. You can fully understand how to make the most of every moment.
Leave doesn't come around often, and isn't always very long. Sometimes you can be together for weeks, other times you merely have hours before they have to report back. Five minutes may have to last for five months.Every second counts, especially when you don't know the next chance you'll have to see them.
8. Saying goodbye never gets any easier.
9. But not much can beat the pure, unadulterated joy you feel when you're reunited.
10. There's a lot of fear, all the time.
The thought of deployment makes you want to vomit. Things like Parris Island, SERE School, infantry, IEDs, the thought of an actual, real life enemy that wants to hurt the person you love, and so much more haunt you. You force your fear down because if you don't, you'll probably lock your loved one away in a bubble where no one can find them just to ensure their safety. You understand more than most the reality of the dangers of a military job. It keeps you glued to the news, constantly researching, and awake through the night. It's a part of the lifestyle.
11. But through it all, the pride that comes with being the support behind a soldier is something you wouldn't trade for anything.
Mom, Dad, sister, brother, best friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, child, etc.: You are proud to be able to support your military member, and you want everyone to know it. Being a part of the military is such an amazing decision and accomplishment. The look on their face, knowing they are serving something so much bigger than themselves, makes the sacrifice of a military family an easy one to make.
May God bless America, and may God bless America's military.
Congratulations, Ensign Bair--Fair winds and following seas. I'm so proud to be your Navy "girlfriend" and your BFFAE.
