They say that marriage is a 50-50 proposition, but you will find that a Navy wife will disagree with you. As far as she's concerned, marriage is a full thirty-three and a third share.
We'll bet there is many a brown bagger's wife who sometimes wishes the words used at a sailor's wedding read something like this:
"Wilt thou, Seaman, take this woman as thy lawful wedded wife, to live together insofar as the Bureau of Naval Personnel will allow? Wilt thou love her, take her to movies and return home promptly after liberty call?"
"Aye, Aye."
"Wilt though, ______, take this sailor as thy lawful wedded husband, bearing in mind liberty hours, ship's schedules, watches, sudden orders, uncertain mail and all other problems of Navy life? Wilt thou serve him, love, honor and wait for him, learn to wash and fold blues and keep the smoking lamp lit for him at home?"
"I will."
"I, Seaman, take thee as my wedded wife from 1630 to 0700 as far as permitted by my commanding Officer, liberty hours subject to change without notice, for better or worse, for earlier or later, and I promise to write at least once a week."
"I, ______, take thee, Seaman, as my wedded husband, subject to orders of the Navy, changing residence whenever the ship moves, to have and to hold as long as my allotment comes through regularly, and there is given my troth."
"By virtue of the authority vested in Navy Regs, subject to regulations of the BUPERS manual and latest BUPERS notices, I pronounce you man and wife!!!!"
Submitted by Paula, Navy Wife
