If you’re new to the military wife life..Welcome! Buckle up because you’re in for a ride. Prepare for all your whimsical expectations to be shattered but also be prepared for life to go beyond your wildest dreams. Being a military wife is strikingly similar to being in high school over again. There will be disappointments, there will be triumphs, you will meet your best friend and your worst enemy!  You’ll also  find and invent yourself all over again. So, if you’re new to this military life here are a few mistakes you will make as a new military wife but know that it’s completely okay…  these things will totally make your experience worth while!

 You’ll make the wrong friends! 

Remember that high schools reference? Yeah it’s the same! Being a military wife is just like that except instead of being concerned about popularity, most are concerned with who’s husband is what rank. You kind of enter this life blindly and extremely alone. Then you’ll start thinking “I want friends” regardless of who it is. That’s all fine an dandy until you realize it does actually matter who you’re friends with. In those 3 years on base you’ll weed through the rank holders, the gossipers, and those who aren’t that bad but move away and forget about you. Then you’ll find your very best group of life long friends and friendships made in the military are magical!

You’ll over compensate for family members

Okay I just learned this last week but it’s absolutely worth sharing. This is our second duty station and also our second house getting the extra bedroom for all our wonderful guests….I say that in the most sarcastic way possible because WHAT GUESTS? I hate to break it to you but they aren’t coming to visit no matter what amazing duty station you move to or how many bedrooms you have. You’ll expect everyone to visit you in your new home and you’ll even expect them to come to you when you’re in town but they won’t do that either and it’s okay. The quicker you learn this the less heartache you’ll have and the more BAH you’ll save. Also, you’ll have to be willing to be the bad guy. They’ll expect you to come to them all the time and it’s not fair. Stand your ground and visit when you can but don’t force it. Your happiness isn’t worth it! Eventually, you’ll come to terms with the fact that your husband (and children) are your family and luckily, as a military wife, you’ll make friends that will become more family than the blood ones.

You won’t take advantage of your duty station until it’s gone

So, A lot of duty stations are less than desirable (for the Army anyway) but  there are ways to take advantage and make the most of any duty station you’re at. My friends and I spent 3 years in Missouri waiting impatiently for orders, drooling over our Hawaii friends instagrams and doing the same ole things every week. As much as I loved Missouri I realized after we left how much of my St. Louis bucket list was still not checked off or how we never made it to Kansas City. To prevent wasting an opportunity click here to learn how to fall in love with your duty station. The Military is a lifestyle that’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and as a Military Wife you have to take advantage of it!

You’ll have too many expectations of the Military Wife lifestyle

You may have some type of grand expectation for becoming a Military Wife and marrying someone in uniform but unfortunately, the military is the grim reaper of expectations. Moving all over the world sounds fun and adventurous but you have to make it past the stress of finding somewhere to live and broken items first. You’ll make plans then you’ll often have to change them and forget planning something a year in advance. A lot of times you’ll be alone or a single parent. It’s an adjustment but it is POSSIBLE. You’ll get used to it and adjust accordingly. Plus,  spontaneity sometimes adds a good aspect to life.

Like anything in life; entering the new chapter of your life as a Military wife will be full of experiences. Some will be good and some will be bad. You’ll make plenty of mistakes then you’ll learn from them as you go. No matter what we go through, know that we are lucky to be living this life and when it is over, you will have plenty of amazing stories to tell.

Related Posts:

Military Spouse Tips

How to Reach Your Goals as A Military Spouse

How to Fall In Love With Your New Duty Station

9 Reasons to Hire A Military Spouse 

How Good Friendships will Help You Through Your Next Deployment 

5 Military Spouse Podcasts That Should Be On Your Radar

Dealing with The Fear of Deployment 

5 Military Spouse Youtubers to Binge Watch