Military Engineer
Marrying someone in the military means making sacrifices that a traditional married person might not have to make. That might mean moving around a lot and being home by yourself or with the children for months at a time. Finding ways to cope with being a military engineer spouse can help make the transition from civilian life a little bit easier. Here are five tips to take into consideration when you marry someone in the military.
1. Learn to Cope During Deployment Periods
You may have to go months without seeing your spouse during deployment, so consider how you’ll manage your home, bills and other responsibilities on your own. You might be living far away from your family, so you’ll have to get used to doing things on your own, such as cleaning the house, doing the laundry and taking care of the children. On the plus side, you’ll be able to enjoy military benefits, such as military engineer pay, military engineer spouse and family healthcare, a basic allowance for housing (BAH), recreation benefits and childcare benefits.
2. Get Used to Moving Around
It’s a well-known fact that military families often move around a lot, which can be quite a challenge, especially if you have children. You’ll have to deal with helping them transition from school to school and making new friends all over again. You might get homesick when moving to a new place, but on the positive side of things, you’ll get to experience different parts of the country (or maybe even the world), which could mean you’ll always have an interesting story to tell. Try to find the silver lining and keep an open mind whenever you move to a new place.
3. Find the Right Insurance Coverage
The last thing you want is to break down on the side of the road when your spouse and family are miles away and can’t do anything to help you, especially if you have your little ones in the car with you. That’s why finding the right insurance coverage is of utmost importance. With USAA, you’ll get a comprehensive auto insurance policy that saves you hundreds of dollars each year compared to other providers. You’ll also get accident forgiveness and plenty of options based on your vehicle and your driving record. You can also bundle your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to save up to 10 percent.
4. Get Help Raising Your Family
Raising children in the military is different than raising children in civilian life. You’ll have to explain why your spouse is gone so often, which might not be easy, depending on how old your children are. You’ll also have the bulk of parental responsibilities. Not to mention, you’ll also have to deal with disciplining them on your own and making sure their emotional needs are met. You’ll be responsible for teaching your children right from wrong and how to care for themselves as they grow. All of this can be overwhelming, especially during deployment when the sole responsibility falls in your lap. Get the help you need from family members (if possible) or outside help from a nanny using your military engineer benefits.
5. Continue to Pursue Your Own Interests
Make time to get out and meet new people, because being a military engineer spouse can be lonely sometimes. Find your own interests and hobbies to pursue so that you don’t spend all of your time waiting for your spouse to get back. It’s perfectly okay to have a life of your own while your spouse is deployed. Whether you decide to join a book club, learn to play an instrument, take a writing class or join an improv class, you can find something that interests you outside of your marriage. Get someone to watch the children at least once a week so that you can take some time for yourself to do what you enjoy doing.
Adjusting to Life as a Military Engineer Spouse
Marrying someone in the military doesn’t mean you’ll always be alone. It just means making certain life adjustments. You’ll get to make new friends all over the world, learn about different cultures and enjoy all of the benefits that come with being a military spouse. You’ll also learn to be more independent and be more inclined to pursue outside interests. Marrying military also means finding ways to care for and protect your loved ones, whether that means hiring help or finding the right auto insurance.
