Daily, I wonder if I can do this: military life. Ok, maybe not daily, but I do wonder. When my husband is gone, and I am holding down the fort by myself, the doubts come. When I have to get ready for yet another PCS and know I have to start over, I sometimes have to pep-talk myself into putting one foot in front of the other. But I have realized something over the years: I am the perfect MILSO. And so are YOU!
Allow me to clarify a little. There is no such thing as “A PERFECT MILSO”. However, YOU are THE perfect MILSO. For those times when you need a little pep-talk, I am here for you. Here are 3 reasons YOU are the perfect MILSO.
You Love Your SO
This is pretty self-explanatory. You are the perfect MILSO because YOU love your SO. While your SO is serving, you stand along side in support and love.
This support and love can come in many different forms and ways. Whether that is standing by during a deployment or helping them through training. Whether it is being faithful during time apart or working hard to make sure they get any help they might need after a deployment. That is what spouses should do for one another, whether active duty military or not. I know many friends who have seen their spouses through medical school, police academy, law school, and all that comes with those in their career. Military life requires the same level of love and support as well.
You Know Your Weaknesses and Strengths
It’s pretty obvious from what I’ve mentioned above that being strong isn’t a choice in the military. It’s an absolute necessity. So when you need to get up and move AGAIN, you do it. When your husband comes to you when you are 28 weeks pregnant and tells you that he has to leave for a deployment in 6 days and he doesn’t think he will be back for the birth, you say OK. And of course, when you have to once again tell your family you won’t be seeing them again this year because of the “schedule” (or lack of), you make that call.
We’re all human though. Do we have ridiculous moments of weakness where we cry in our driveways, or binge watch Netflix. But when this happens, you are THE perfect MILSO because you pick yourself up, recognize the human qualities and move forward.
You Continually Adapt and Overcome.
Military life gives you the opportunity to test out your own two feet. From taking care of the kids, house, car, pets, finances, etc, its a LOT to put on your plate. You are the perfect MILSO because you learn how to take those experiences and thrive from them. You learn an array of things you would have never envisioned yourself knowing because you have to learn it at some point when your spouse is away. As MILSOs, we learn and grow through everything thrown at us, even building our own self-care practices along the way. Need to deal with a broken washing machine with a new baby? Done! What about the car being in the shop? Handled it! And don’t forget, learning about and utilizing amazing free resources. Your pride won’t get in the way!
Again: There Is No Such Thing As A Perfect Military Spouse.
But you are THE perfect MILSO for your situation, for your SO, and for yourself. You will make mistakes as a MILSO along the way; but you can learn from them. Your military life is a journey. One in which you will always be growing and learning along the way. You will continue to grow to be the person that your SO needs, your tribe needs and who you need to be while living this life: The Perfect MILSO.
