Congratulations! You've made the move from the thong to "Big Girl Panties"! The bottom line (aren't we witty?!) is that you own your decision, actions and resulting consequences. Be true to yourself, but also be mature in your adventures! And here is how the adventure started.........

Pearl and Mercedes became lucky Army wives as follows – sound familiar?

• You fell head over heels in love.
• Your soldier proposed to you in a wonderfully romantic manner.
• You married – and possibly exited the chapel under an Arch of Swords.
• You put all of your dearest possessions into the trunk of your car (or truck – lucky you!) and the precariously attached U-Haul trailer. 
• You moved to a completely unknown geographic location (eg. Ft. Wuchuka, Ft. Polk, etc.) rarely referenced in travel magazines. 
• You devoted years to understanding and navigating military jargon, traditions, and events (although – to be honest – you still struggle to differentiate among companies, batteries and troops).
• You were nominated – without any deliberate intent on your part - as your post’s “Volunteer of the Year” due to your significant commitment to your husband's unit.  

You managed to have and rear children and/or raised one hell of a well trained dog.

HOOAH! Welcome to the Army, Mrs. Jones! And, by “Army”, we’re specifically addressing you and your soldier/family.

Specific to you and your role in the Army -

When you first said "I do" and the idyllic sleep of love feel from your eyes, we bet you looked around and realized, "I'm not in Kansas anymore, Toto". (And yes that is true, unless of course you are stationed at Riley or Leavenworth.) The transition from single life to married life began the minute you kissed your soldier at the altar. Sure you can still color your hair purple, put tattoos in obvious places, piercings in distracting locations, and show some skin at your Battalion formal. Because, as you know, there aren’t any dress and/or appearance rules and regulations that apply to Army spouses - (although we did provide some guidance in our January blog: "The Re-Emergence of Protocol!"). But - when you’re ready to grow up and move into the mature world of "thinkers" and "doers" - then join us (we’re the toned down older versions of YOU (Yes, UGH!) who generally resemble women in Talbot’s ads). Harsh? Yes! But ladies, we can all express ourselves with some dignity, no?! We’re not dissin' a little dolphin tattoo or a nice streak of Jennifer Anniston blonde bangs; we just don't think that a spiked dog collar = thoughtful adult. 

To net - we don't really care what your underpants look like (or if you even wear them!) but when the whining starts - whoa! - we will turn the volume down on our Miracle Ear hearing aids and pull an extra pair of "Big Girl Panties" from our orthopedic bra - just for you!You are a pioneer, a volunteer, a wife, and, most likely, a mother, an event planner, a time management expert, and a phenomenal packer and mover! You have to organize your time, effort and money to meet the "needs" of your Army Family.

Specific to your Army family - 

Whether you are married with no children or have four children a cat, a dog, ant farm and two fish - you and your husband create the most important part of your family. As a couple, you and your husband are the foundation of success in any of the areas pulling at you 24x7.

Here’s why this is true. You and your husband are always traveling down a river to your next assignment (generally in a weathered canoe or leaky life raft) with all your worldly possessions strapped in any available space. You can either focus on getting from one destination to the next or you can use your time more wisely (this idea of “using your time more wisely” isn’t necessarily specific to using the pharmacy on post but keep that thought in mind). We suggest experiencing each moment rather than always planning for the next destination. This means choosing your level of involvement and accepting the consequences of your life choices (your choices include your partner choices and your career choices - whether that is managing your household and/or a career outside the home). 

The continual Army life changes will generate unbelievable stress but there is an upside! Consider this – every time you jump (or carefully step into) the canoe, you can make a fresh start. You can be anything you want. You can be involved with your husband’s assignment or you can find your own niche. But, you will always be the lucky Army wife!

What do you think? 

• Square or Triangle?
• Plan or spur of the moment?
• I support my soldier always – even when I’m completely stressed that he can’t seem to make it home prior to 10PM. Did I really sign up to be a single parent?