Recruiting Spouse Experiences

It is very common to hear negative things about recruiting. A good friend once told me that "one negative can wipe out ten positives". I hope to turn that around and have positives wipe out the negatives.
A few spouses in all areas of USAREC have shared the following:

OK...OK...Lets see.....Recruiting, while challenging has been mostly positive for my family and very positive for DH career. I would have to say that there are many things that recruiting has had a positive effect on in our lives...i.e.: where we are living right now, DH rank and the rate at which he has obtained that rank, our comfort level, my being involved with the family programs at company and Bn levels. Those positives far out weigh the negatives that recruiting has had a direct effect in our lives. I still firmly believe that 90% of it is what you and your spouse make of it (just like everything else in life).

I am active in our battalion and company. I have volunteered with the A&PA as well as helping the SFAPM with family items, and, of course, the company FRG. Because of this, I've had many personal positive experiences in addition to those of my husband. I guess the MOST positive experience I've had while with recruiting was our "field trip" to The Spirit of America in Washington, D.C in 2000. It was amazing to see the Army go from basically farmers with their rifles to the high tech "Force XXI" soldier. At one point, the DEPs that were present took the enlistment oath again for their families. To see hundreds of young men and women swear to uphold the history that had just unfolded was amazing. Added to this were the veterans who were present. World War II, Korea, Vietnam ... all represented. Talking to these veterans added something to that day that most people will never know.

I'd have to say recruiting as a whole has been positive for us, but nothing major stands out! I missed our last ATC since I was about to deliver number two, but I'm really excited about going this year. That's the only thing that stands out for me in terms of things our company participates in. Since we're on a post I tend to stay involved in more general Army type volunteer stuff then recruitng, although I'm hoping to become more involved in the recruitng world when I get back [home] :)

Hum........... lets see.......... Ok ok ok, I'm still thinking.....................................................................................................................................................hehe just kidding :o) We've had many positive experiences, I'm just not sure recruiting had much to do with it. I think it's just life in general. I am involved with the spouse volunteer thingys and think that is a positive thing most of the time. If one person is helped then it was worth it. I guess to stop and really think about it, we live pretty much "normal" lives, recruiting really isn't a dominating factor. Yes, it does take up a lot of my DH's time, but we are still like every other family. The positive experiences we've had are mostly ones I think we would have had even if DH would have been a civilian. Most have been in the places we've been and the people we've met. LOL We live a boring life! OK, one BIG positive is buying our house, but then again not recruiting related. Sorry about not being more interesting! LOL

Positive experiences in recruiting? Isn't that like a oxy-moron??? No just kidding. I've been setting here trying to think about what I could share. I, also, believe that life is what you make it. If your so determined that you'll hate recruiting, you will. I try to think of the good. Like I don't have to cook supper every night. Who wants to eat at 10:00pm?? The kids like breakfast foods at supper and that's just fine with me. The house doesn't always have to be super clean. Is anyone laughing yet??? I like to think of the "army" experience as a whole. I think of all the people I've met. I come from a small town (pop. 50 maybe and I'm not kidding.) and would never have traveled or did have the stuff I have if it wasn't for the army. I also think of the experiences that my kids have had. Their 14 and hate to think about moving again, but the army has taught them to value people for who and what they are not what they look like. They've discovered that everyone has the same value. Something I'm sure they wouldn't have learned if my (I'll use the initials for the first time) DH hadn't joined the army. How may people can say they went to Germany for a honeymoon and didn't come back for 18 months?

Want to share a POSITIVE recruiting experience? Click the angel.

Visitors since 09 SEPTEMBER 2002

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