Engaging Your Community As a Professional Military Spouse

Regardless if you are a new military spouse or seasoned, we have all been caught up in installation life at one point in time.  I know as a new military spouse when we first moved to Fort Campbell, KY I was obsessed with running all of my errands on post even though we lived about a mile off post.  Excitement and convenience easily took over my life.  I wanted to explore every inch of post and enjoy the added benefit of having every place I needed fairly centrally located. But as I've come to realize, there is so much more beyond the installation gates; by becoming involved in the surrounding civilian community I've actually seen my professional career benefit as well.

As military spouses we move a lot.  Just as we are about to feel a sense of normalcy in our new location it’s time to bring out the moving boxes and place the fragile mementos of our lives away all in preparation for a new “home”. While this experience is difficult for any military family it can prove even more challenging for career-minded military spouses.  There is always the fear of not being able to obtain meaningful employment at your new location.  By becoming involved in your community you are able to meet people who will be able to help you land that dream job. It might not be the first person you meet or the second but chances are the more you grow your network the more likely you are to find those key people who will be able to assist you with your job search.

So where do you start to become involved in your civilian community?

•          Volunteer: As military spouses we know the value of a helping hand.  Take some time to think about what charities, projects, or initiatives really interest you.  By aligning your talents with your passions you are able to not only strengthen your resume but also give back to your community. Find a local animal shelter, soup kitchen, or after school mentoring program and become involved.
•          Network: While volunteering is a great way to give back to the community you are also placing yourself in the perfect position to network with local leaders.  Many prominent community members are involved in their communities in a variety of ways that involve volunteering. This is a great way to not only demonstrate your work ethics but to also show that you are passionate about giving back to the community; two key qualities employers look for in potential prospects.
•          Civic Organizations: Join civic organizations in the area surrounding your installation.  At the root of it these organizations are all about providing a better way of life for the community’s citizens.  As a member of this community you can become active in addressing the needs of the community as well as bringing a military perspective to the issues at hand.  These organizations typically provide networking and volunteer opportunities as well.

However you chose to become involved in your community is entirely up to you.  The important part is that you at least start. Don’t let the convenience of installation life deter you from building your professional civilian network.   After all you never know who you might meet once you venture outside your comfort zone. 

Married To The Military

Every girl dreams of their wedding day.  Every detail has been meticulously planned out since before they outgrew the tea party table. From the cake to the dress we all envision our dream day.  But one detail often over looked is the details of the actual marriage.  Sure the day in and of itself is truly an emotional & spiritual time when two people have decided to join their lives together as one, but often there is not much day dreaming of the actual marriage.

When I married my husband we decided to have a very small and intimate wedding that was literally planned in about a month.  While some people may think I was crazy to plan and follow through with a wedding within one month of his proposal, I'm sure most MilSos understand that marrying a military member means no ordinary wedding; or marriage at that. While the military does not define who my husband is to me it does define our lives. We have no say in what city (or country) we may end up in next or even if we are fortunate enough to make that move together, we have no control on whether or not he will deploy (that's right he may miss the holidays or the birth of our first child) and it also dictates the type of treatment we as spouses receive.  Now I am not referring to wearing my husband's rank or being saluted as I pass through the gate simply because I am an Army wife-no!

I'm referring to the disadvantage military spouses receive in their professional and educational endeavors. Military spouses are often discriminated against simply because they are associated with the military in their professional endeavors.  Between the uncertainty of moves, looming deployments, and actively playing the role of a single parent- all of these responsibilities tend to throw a red flag to employers who are hesitant to invest in a well qualified applicant simply to have them resign at any time.

But how is that fair? Some may argue that this is what we signed up for. It's the military life get used to it. But why should we sit back and take that? Isn't it time we challenged our corporate system to think outside the box.  Sure you could be investing time in a candidate they may have to relocate at a moment's notice but the skills and attributes they can contribute to the company are well worth the risk. Military spouses hold a very special set of skills that not many have the blessed opportunity of knowing the value of.  We are strong, independent, and fierce. We are infamous for holding the family unit together even when Uncle Sam decides to change our plans.

I'll never regret my choice to marry my husband, my best friend. While the wedding was the most amazing day of my life, my marriage is the most influential part of my desire to succeed professionally.  My marriage inspires me to continue pressing onward for military spouse equality in the workforce even when Uncle Sam decides to make this union of two into a holy trinity.