Hats Off!

As a military family, we've been a lot of places and seen a lot of different things.  We've experienced different cultures and people.  We've been fortunate enough to be assigned to squadrons or schools that are outside of my husband's normal job, so we've mingled with all walks of life and learned about the jobs that make the Air Force work and the planes fly.  I really think it makes you a better military spouse and active duty worker if you can see what other people do in the Air Force/other military branches.  Let's call it perspective.  We are also now being indoctrinated into the Navy.  This initially began in Rhode Island, but we had no idea it would lead to this.

I'm learning a lot about the US Navy, and the people I've met so far have been nothing but spectacular.  They've taken this AF family in and shown us how it's done on Guam.  The USN also has quadruple the amount of acronyms, many of which I don't think I will ever learn.  Anyhow, there is a particular group of people here that I am in awe of.  They are probably one of the most forgotten or overlooked groups in the military.  I know I'm used to being on AF bases, so we don't do ships, but I grew up in a Navy town.  My Dad was in the Navy for a while.  I've always been around the Navy, but it's usually been associated with boats/carriers and flying.  This group I'm referring to are the submariners.

I should say that I haven't met many submariners myself, but I have met their spouses.  These are some of the toughest broads in the history of ever.  The submarines are gone (underway is the correct term).  A lot.  They spend weeks without seeing the light of day.  The spouses of these crews are left to be single parents and wives.  A lot.  And they don't have as many means of communication as the normal land dwellers do.  They are remarkable people, and I am so happy to get the chance to know them and learn about their lives.  We often hear about the Army wives left behind, or the floats the sailors and marines go on for months on end, or the AF being sent somewhere to bomb or fight.  Have you ever heard much, if anything, about the submariners?  I certainly haven't, other than the occasional Hollywood production, which usually focuses on World War II battles, or the infamous Cold War (remember The Hunt for Red October?).  I'm sure that's like saying every fighter pilot is Maverick (Tom Cruise), living out the Top Gun persona.  I know they all wish the job was that glamourous.  We spouses know that it is definitely not.  So, my hat is off to the submarine wives and the men in their lives!  I will be a better person for having known them.