You know you've been an NCO wife too long when you have a quickly growing list of rules for your husband's soldiers. Here is the start to my list, I'm sure as the years continue to roll by, there will be more!
1. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! This may be a duh rule but it has to be said. I would rather my husband get a call in the middle of the night to come pick your drunk butt up than lose him to days of paperwork at the other sad alternatives you might end up in!
2. DON'T DRINK UNDER AGE!! OK, again duh. I know you are soldiers and while I agree its not right that you should be allowed to fight and die for our country, but not be able to legally drink alcohol, it is still against the law! So, do yourself a favor, and stay in your room or at a buddy's house to do it! Don't go out and be drunk in public when you are obviously only 19 years old!! I'm not saying breaking the law is right, but I'm realistic enough to know you're going to do it anyway, so be responsible!!
3. ENCOURAGE YOUR WIVES TO LEARN ABOUT THE ARMY! I am so sick of young wives who know nothing about their husband's job, or the benefits the entire family receives as an incentive for said job. There are literally tons of resources for you to learn about being a part of the military, whether soldier or spouse- use them!!
4. DON'T LET YOUR WIFE SCREW YOUR CAREER! Again, this involves knowing the benefits. If you and your spouse get in a fight and she becomes vindictive and crazy enough to call the cops, its your career on the line. Make sure she understands that if she gets you kicked out of the Army, she receives NOTHING!!!
5. USE YOUR EDUCATION BENEFITS! Even when you are deployed you can be taking FREE college classes. Do you know how stupid you sound when you say, "no, I want to wait and use my GI Bill." You don't lose your GI Bill by taking classes while still in the service. There are plenty of opportunities out there, even for those who haven't decided what to do when they 'grow up.' Don't let these go to waste!
6. DON'T TREAT THE DEPENDANTS AT THE PX LIKE CRAP! If you see a mom (or dad) struggling with her two kids while trying to pick up a mess the 3 year old just accidentally made, don't just sit there and watch. Chances are her husband is deployed and how would you feel if it were your wife and children being ignored when you could easily help. Use your manners and some common sense!
7. TEACH YOUR SPOUSE THAT THEY DO NOT WEAR YOUR RANK. Fraternization happens between the ranks, not the spouses. Your spouse can, and in the modern world of computers, will make friends with other spouses outside your immediate rank. This is actually OK, as long as its not with your immediate Chain of Command. The likelihood that your spouses new playgroup buddy happens to be the spouse of your CO is minuscule on most posts. Even if it happens, their playground friendship isn't likely to expand to the soldiers!
8. IF YOU DON'T LOVE YOUR JOB, FIND A NEW ONE! The military is not the place for disgruntled employees. My husband's life may depend on how well you know and do your job. Unhappy employees usually don't do very good on the job! I would prefer him not be killed because you were too busy hating the Army to watch his back!
9. TALK TO YOUR COC IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM! By not telling your CoC you have a problem at home, you are inviting them to not care. Many good soldiers 'go bad' because they think their Command doesn't care. That isn't always true! If you have an issue tell someone, it might save your career!
10. BE PROUD OF YOUR JOB! It is often a monotonous and thankless job, but it is an important one. Be proud of it, I am!
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