No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
No Result
View All Result
Reserve & National Guard
SUBSCRIBE FREE
Reserve & National Guard

Living on an Installation for the First Time as a Military Spouse

AmeriForce Exclusive
by AmeriForce Exclusive
April 14, 2017

So, you’re planning to live on an installation for the first time as a military spouse. Mixed with your excitement, you may also experience a wide range of additional emotions — like nervousness, anticipation and anxiety. While it is perfectly understandable to feel some uncertainty, there are several ways to ensure the transition is a success. By arming yourself with a little extra knowledge about life on a military installation, your experience can become more exciting and less uncertain.

What You Need to Know About Life on a Military Installation

You’ve probably heard the expression “knowledge is power,” and in this case it can also be a stress reducer. Here’s what you need to know about installation living:

Advantages of living on an installation

• A sense of community. When you live on an installation, your neighbors aren’t just your neighbors — they become your community. Not only do they share a common sense of military life, they also may share many of your same concerns and feelings.

• Cost. Saving money is one of the biggest reasons to take advantage of military housing. You won’t have to worry about paying certain costs associated with off installation living.

• Access to community services. It’s all right there — the commissary, exchange, medical treatment facility, library, child care, youth activities, and sports and recreation facilities. Most installations also have banks, restaurants, gas stations and more.

• Safety and security.Thanks to monitoring by military police, you can feel safe living on an installation.

Challenges of installation life

Any lifestyle change brings challenges and living on an installation for the first time is no different. But there are steps you can take to help you meet those challenges in a positive way. Depending on your own particular situation, you may face the following concerns:

• Privacy. Military installations are a lot like small towns. If you value your privacy, be sure to practice a little discretion as you get to know your neighbors. Try to keep your conversation on the light side and avoid gossip.

• New surroundings for your kids. Don’t be surprised if it takes your children a little bit of time to adjust to installation living. Once your children begin to make friends, become involved in activities they like and start school, the transition is often a bit easier.

• Isolation. With so many comforts and conveniences available on your installation, it’s easy to feel separated from the surrounding civilian community. Make an effort to venture outside of the main gate and explore what the town has to offer. Trylooking on local websites for things to do and places to explore.

• Yard maintenance. While you don’t have to worry about home repairs, most installations require you to maintain your yard and keep a clean home, inside and out.

• Protocol. You may be surprised by the frequent loud explosive noises of soldiers practicing their artillery skills. Don’t worry – these various activities and practices of installation living will soon become part of your daily routine. You may also feel like an outsider the first time you see cars stopping and people standing at attention when the flag is raised in the morning and lowered in the evening. However, before long, you’ll view honoring the flag as more than just the routine start and end to each day, but as a way to reflect on the contributions of service members past and present.

Building relationships in your military community

• Be proactive. It may sound cliché, but a positive attitude really does go a long way when making a transition like this. While there are many programs and facilities available on an installation, it is ultimately up to you to take advantage of each opportunity. Make a point to accept invitations from your neighbors, attending events and joining activities on the installation. Also check out the various resources available to you on post, such as the Military and Family Support Center, installation chaplains or Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.

• Get your children involved in activities. The installation youth center offers a wide range of sports, activities, events and social clubs. Encouraging your child to participate is also a great way to meet other parents.

• Get to know your neighbors. Remember, other families are likely facing many of the same concerns and frustrations. Getting to know your neighbors could do wonders for everyone involved.

• Participate in your military community activities. Pay attention to posted upcoming activities and join in the fun. You can try new things and meet new people at the same time. You may even want to consider making it a special point to participate in Newcomer’s Orientations and welcome new neighbors as they arrive. While you still may feel a bit overwhelmed, it won’t be long before your house on the installation begins to feel like home., and you’ll become attached to a community that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.

— Courtesy Military One Source

Tags: community servicescost benefitinstallation livingMilitary Childrenmilitary communitymilitary installation housingMilitary Spouse
AmeriForce Exclusive

AmeriForce Exclusive

Related Posts

Navy reservist captures history over 30-year career

by Taneika Duhaney
6 days ago
0
Navy reservist

Amy Forsythe, now a Navy reservist, has documented service members in some of the most remote regions in the world...

Read more

Our Military Kids shines light on ‘hidden helpers’ with annual contest

by Kari Williams
2 weeks ago
0
Our Military Kids

When reviewing nominations for the Our Military Kids Courageous Kids contest in 2022, one child’s story spurred the creation of...

Read more

Getting financially focused, staying mission ready

by AmeriForce Exclusive
1 month ago
0
FINRED

DOD's Office of Financial Readiness (FINRED) offers programs, policy, education, advocacy & program oversight for service members & families.

Read more

What to do with your TSP funds when you leave the military 

by Eric Zedalis
1 month ago
0
TSP

When addressing TSP funds upon separating or retiring from the military, service members have the luxury to wait without the...

Read more

‘Power & precision’: The history and purpose of Super Bowl flyovers

by Christopher Adams
2 months ago
0
Super Bowl

The NFL regular season will be ending soon, meaning that its apogee – the Super Bowl – is just on...

Read more

OPINION: Individual Ready Reserve offers chance to ‘take a knee’

by Emily Solberg
3 months ago
0
Individual Ready Reserve

The Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) is a little-known option that could help with retention, according to one reservist and military...

Read more

Ads

Let's get social

The RNG Drill

News delivered directly to your inbox

Let's connect!

ABOUT US

  • OUR STORY
  • OUR TEAM
  • OUR WRITERS

MAGAZINE

  • GET PRINT
  • GET DIGITAL
  • GET THE NEWSLETTER

ADVERTISE

  • GET OUR MEDIA KIT
  • PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT

SUBMISSIONS

  • PITCH US
  • SUBMIT YOUR STORY

Never miss out on the latest stories.

© 2021 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Privacy Policy | Terms | Site by Swiss Commerce

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

Thank you for your interest in The Reserve & National Guard Magazine!

No Result
View All Result
  • NEWS
  • YOUR CAREER
    • UNIT TRAINING
    • DEPLOYMENT
    • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
    • RECRUITING & RETENTION
    • ENTREPRENEUR
    • TRANSITION
  • EDUCATION
  • MILITARY LIFE
    • MILITARY SPOUSES
    • MILITARY KIDS
    • PARENTING
  • OFF DUTY
    • ENTERTAINMENT
    • TRAVEL
  • HEALTH
    • FITNESS
    • MEDICINE
    • MENTAL HEALTH
  • SPORTS
  • OPINION
  • HISTORY
  • MONEY
    • PERSONAL FINANCE
    • BENEFITS
  • GET THE MAGAZINE
    • PRINT MAGAZINES
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINES
    • GET THE NEWSLETTER
  • ABOUT US
    • MEET OUR TEAM
    • OUR AUTHORS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • SUBMIT YOUR STORY
    • PITCH US
    • CONTACT

© 2022 Reserve & National Guard by AmeriForce. Site by SCBW

Skip to toolbar
  • About WordPress
    • WordPress.org
    • Documentation
    • Support
    • Feedback
  • AMP
    • View AMP version