These are just a few of my pet peeves as a military spouse. I will probably add on to this list over time, but for now these are the only ones that bother me the most.
HIGHER RANKS:
- Try to embarrass the lower rank soldiers in front of their families instead of pulling them to the side and talking to them about whatever they did or didn't do.
- The wives of higher ranks think that they are better than those of lower ranks and try to look down or belittle the other wives. They wear their husband's ranks as if they are the ones who went and earned it.
SOLDIER'S RELATIVES OR CLOSE FRIENDS:
Start to get the thought that the spouse is not going to be faithful and start to tell the spouse not to have no one in "his" house. PAUSE (ghetto moment) The last time I checked if it wasn't for me this soldier would not be living in this house. He would be living in the barracks. PLAY This is "our house" and I know how to keep my legs closed. Thank you very much. :)
STEREOTYPES/ CATEGORIZING:
Many people put us in one category or say that we are all the same. They assume that we are all lazy, fat, bums who don't want anything out of life. They assume that we only want to live off of our soldiers, lay up and have tons of children. For many of us, that is not the case. Some of the soldiers prefer for their wives not to work and maintain the household while he is away working. Others would want their wives to focus on getting a jump start on their careers by finishing school. Another thing that they always label us as being is a cheater. They assume that all military spouses cheat. I have been a victim of this not only because I am an army wife, but because I'm an African American woman. This is a quote from a woman of another race who said this about me. "If she doesn't cheat on him this deploy, she will the next one because they always do".
OTHER ANNOYING THINGS:
I don't see how you do it. I couldn't do it. Aren't you afraid that something will happen to him. I truly hate when those of the unknown say that to me. It's so annoying. When people say "you know what you were getting yourself into" now that can be annoying to some, but should be told to others. For instance, if the spouse cheated and her excuse is he was never there or he was always gone for long periods of time. That is when you say it, but if the spouse is just expressing her feelings at that moment and needs someone to talk to then you don't say it. Get it. Ok good. Let's not forget the ones that say girl I don't see how you can do it, my husband is going to be gone for 2 weeks on a trip and I can't take it. Keep in mind this is around the same time that your husband is on a year deployment. You have to take all that you can to refrain from going off on your friend.
Ladies there are so many pet peeves that we all have as military spouses, but as of now these are all that I have experienced. I hope that you all enjoyed reading.
Of course, a video will be uploaded on my YouTube channel on this topic soon. I decided to give it to my readers first.
Again, thanks a bunch for reading.
Love ya lots, PAW
Hello Nitra,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Gina and God is so good I am blessed I came across your blog; I've searched high and low for just what your site represents. I'm also a proud army wife my husband deployed three months after we married. I have encountered many of the pet peeves you've mentioned. Its so refreshing to find another African American Army Wife who keeps it real and is not afraid to speak her mind about what is really weighing heavily on her mind. I'm your newest follower and I look forward to our conversational exchanges; may God bless you and your family.