Did you know that you were a warrior? Well, you are.
We all know our loved ones are soldiers, warriors, and heroes, but you too are a warrior. The word is defined as someone who is engaged or experienced in battle, and, like it or not, you are about to engage in one of the biggest battles of your life, a deployment. A lot of emotions come with sending a loved one off to war, but the best thing you can do is prepare yourself against all of the obstacles that deployments can create.
Control Deployment or It Controls You
The heading of this section says “Deployment Master,” and I, by no means, know everything there is to know about handling a deployment, but I think that you have no choice but to set it in your mind that you are going to be the Master, the warrior, or it will control you.
A little background about me in case you are wondering why I feel like I am qualified to tell you what to or what not to do. Frankly, I am not. I am the same as you. I am the wife to a soldier in the United States Army. My husband has been active duty for four years this month, and we have been married for three. We are currently surviving our second deployment. During our two deployments we have experienced many of the things that most other couples will experience – the same triumphs and the same trials.
You Are Not Alone
My hope is that there is something that I have learned along the way that can help you in some way and let you know that you aren’t alone. Whether it is deployment number one or deployment number thirty one, the journey is the same. There is a whole community of warriors, experienced and inexperienced, just like you. I made the choice when I found out my husband of 3 months was deploying, to have a warrior mentality and be the master of the deployment. I knew if I didn’t take control of it, it would take control of me.
Just like your soldier prepares for his war on the battlefield, you will also prepare for your own battle on the home front.
Chelle,
I would just like to say “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts” to you and your family for the sacrifices you make. I sent this poem to our daughter (Mrs. Prim & Proper) a while back. The Military Wife has a silent strength that out weighs The Hulk by a million times! I’ve seen it. So yes, The Military Wife definately has their own battle on the homefront. You are always in our heart.
The Silent Ranks
I wear no uniforms, no blues or greens.
But, I am in the military, in the ranks rarely seen.
I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
But in the military world is where I live and am rarely seen.
I am not in the chain of command, orders I do not give or get.
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I am not the one who fires a weapon, Who puts his life on the line.
But my job is just as tough, I’m the one who is always left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and pride filled man.
And the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines, I see things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do my kids and me.
I love the man I married. The military is his life.
So I pledge to support my hero and stand among the silent ranks known as
THE MILITARY WIFE.
thank you for this website and this great poem posted.
this website is a huge comfort to me. i am supporting my soldier through our second deployment. we have a 7 year old and 4 year old. my husband is reserves. i don’t live in the same state as his FRG. so i am out on my own so to speak. i live in an area where no one seems to do anything but ask me the very questions listed on the shirt for the shopping portion of this website–it is the shirt titled “ten things never to say to the wife of a deployed solider”. i do a lot of teeth gritting and smiling. 🙂
my father just passed away. so this deployment has been rough. it is a comfort that a few clicks of the computer keys can connect me to people who understand. this poem really struck me and his holding me up tonight on a night when the news is not good. thanks for a great poem, a great blog and a great website.
i feel connected. 🙂 thanks.
I’m glad you have found the website to be helpful. Check us out at armywifechat.com too if you haven’t already.
I’m very sorry about the passing of your father. I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been, especially during a deployment.
Don’t know if anyone can help…..however, my husband is lower ranking. He and I got married right before he deployed. He has gotten the run around about BAH. His Sgt has given every excuse even so far as that we get no BAH because we married too close to the deployment. What can I do??