You maybe wondering how you are going to keep up with this military stuff. Nothin'to it. You live as you normally would in the non-military world, with a few exceptions. I personally think that it is a better way of life. There are not too many jobs out there without requiring a degree that would take you around the world and back. The opportunity to travel, see the country and world is just awesome!
The first thing you need to do is go to Family Service Center. There, they will have all the information you need to start the ball rolling. They will recommend programs like LINKS and Key Volunteers. You will walk out of that place with a sigh. You must take advantage of all the available resources because they are there for you. The military is not just for active duty members. They have established programs and resources for all of us to make our lives easier. The only way it will work is for us to make use of these resources. There is a whole world of resources out there, military and civilian community. Both are available for you, all you have to do is take it.
Read through all the information material you are given. You will be amazed at what you see.
The next thing you need to do is go to LINKS workshop. This is an information workshop that was created by wives for wives. If you have never heard of it, go to my LINKS page and I will explain more.
Key Volunteer is a program set up to assist and support the wives and families. Each command has their own Key Volunteer group which consist of Family Readiness Officer, KV Advisor, KV Coordinator and Key Volunteers. They will be able to answer your questions and give you the phone numbers. Sort of a 411 service.
I highly recommend these programs if you are new. It is easy enough to ask questions from neighbors, but you would want to be better informed. The better informed you are, the better you can understand and cope with the lifestyle. The better you will be able to relate to your husband when he is venting. When your husband comes home and he starts talking about some things that happen at work, you would think he's talking Greek. Being married to a Marine is not an easy job. You married him because you love him. You vowed to support him for better or for worse. Educating yourself in his world is supporting him. He, in turn will be proud of your accomplishments and you might even teach him a thing or two.
Go to MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services) facilities and pick up flyers about their activities.
If you are pregnant, there is WIC (Women, Infant, Children). This is a government assisted program. There are bases who have WIC right on the base, or you will find it off base. The information is at your doctor's office.
Here is a list of some of the resources and services available to all military active duty and their families:
*Income Tax Return Preparation
*Family Service Center
*Legal Office
*Career Resource Management Center
*Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society
*Red Cross
*Naval Hospital
*WIC (some bases)
If your husband is on a MEU, click on the Official Marine Corps Sites link below and it has a section there on up-to-date information on the MEU.
Have I missed anything? Please let me know and I will add any suggestions and answer any questions you might still have.
"Semper Gumby" is an e-mail discussion group I have created to further assist you. It is exclusively for information and support for Marine spouses, and mothers of Marines. It will answer your military related issues and concerns. Please click on the image to find out more.
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Official Marine Corps Sites
The rest of my site
"My Dedication To YOU"
L.I.N.K.S.
Key Volunteer
These are the FAQs
We're moving?
Pre-Deployment Preparations
While He's gone
Homecoming Preparations
Transition Out
List Of Base Resources
