When Kyle and I moved to Fort Polk 2 years ago I had no idea how different of a military experience it would be for us. At first I was very excited at the idea of not having an FRG or much interaction with families, now I am realizing how much I miss it. I've had school to keep me busy and now E but I'm itching for that experience again.
Here are some things that I miss the most:
*I miss not having daily interactions with families. Family events here are few and far between. If they do happen they encompass all of Operations Group so it's hard to really get to know people. When units are here training soldiers within OPS Group are constantly working so most families stay to themselves.
*I miss FRG meetings (haha not something that most spouses would say). Getting information and hanging out for an hour or so with other spouses and family members was fun for me.
*I miss volunteering. I spent 2 1/2 years at Fort Bliss being both a company FRG leader as well as a BN Senior Advisor and while I was insanely busy it was one of the most rewarding experiences as a military spouse. It was the same at Fort Bragg, I spent 4 years volunteering with the FRG. Yes, I could volunteer in other capacities but the FRG was my jam.
*I miss the traditional unit structure. Operations Group and JRTC are so different from traditional units, there are no battalions or brigades. It's definitely an interesting beast.
*I miss coffee groups! I've been a part of some amazing coffee groups and while some people do not like that it encompassed a certain group of spouses I enjoyed getting to know other spouses whose husband had a similar rank and experience.
We are a few months away from finding out if Kyle has been picked up for promotion and when that happens we will be off to our new home next summer, and we will only be at that duty station for a year and I know that there won't be an FRG.
I can't wait to get back into a traditional unit and pick back up with volunteering within the unit and getting to know families and be a part of real unit again. I know Kyle is looking forward to it as well.
It's amazing how you can miss something that you never thought you would.
I completely understand. I am missing home terribly.
ReplyDeleteSending lots of hugs your way!
DeleteSo many JRTC would be a good place for me! LOL. I am sooooo far from involved. Maybe that will change at our next duty station, who knows. We should be finding out pretty soon where we going as well.
ReplyDeleteTrue! I miss the community and closeness of the airborne unit we were part of in Alaska. Infantry/tanks is...different. However, I will say that even though I often break out into cold sweats and use avoidance as a strategy, I often come away from an FRG gathering feeling kind of refreshed. Like, it reminds me why I'm here (because my day-to-day has very little to do with the army).
ReplyDeleteThere is no FRG or socials at Leavenworth either. Well, except the initial get to know you ones, unless you get lucky and your small group all enjoys hanging out. Ha there are always a few every year. Here you just hang out with your neighbors and family. So I highly suggest living on post if you miss all of that interaction. Leavenworth will be your jam for the social aspect alone! And go to Results at the bubble to workout, I'm biased though!
ReplyDeleteWe definitely want to live on post! I've heard that the community is always amazing.
DeleteThat's all understandable!! I feel the same way you do.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how you can miss something that you never thought you would.
DeleteHave you thought about volunteering with the spouses' club? I've been doing that for the last 2 years here at WP and am looking into it for when we PCS to Leavenworth next year.
ReplyDeleteI did try the spouses club but it was incredibly clicky, I may try it again because there are so many new people and it may be a little different.
DeleteI was just telling Andy that it's like your my FRG leader with as many questions as I text you!!! ;) In fact, my FRG leader asked me the other day if I have been logging my hours into VMISS and I was like "Well you didn't tell me about it and I just got married into the Army 3 months ago so not sure how you expected me to know about it.... But thankfully my friend told me about it."
ReplyDeleteI miss coffee groups as well. They are not very active here.
ReplyDeleteIt really is amazing how much you can miss things that you never thought you would.
DeleteAs an introvert, I don't think I'd miss any of these. I did go to a few spouses meetings, but I sort of had to force myself to go. I do volunteer at my children's school if they really are in a bind though or if the base truly needs help with something.
ReplyDeleteI used to be an introvert as well, not sure when that shifted for me.
DeleteIt's that old saying that you don't know what you miss until it's not there anymore, right? I know that my friend misses having the community that she had when they were stationed in Minot since they're stationed on an Army base this time instead of an Air Force base. Hopefully you'll get back to a traditional unit soon!
ReplyDeleteI bet you were a great FRG leader! I didn't have a great experience at Bliss and I didnt get involved because of my school then work schedule. I'm eager to see how it is in Alabama because it's not a normal unit and Tyler will be traveling to 12 different cities, lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way! I was so involved at Fort Gordon. And here? I'm not. At all. I've only met one spouse associated with Rob's work stuff and only attended one event with him for his brigade... it definitely sort of makes you feel disconnected in a way.
ReplyDeleteI totally get it. It is funny how things sneak up on you, isn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteWe are not in a traditional unit either and honestly, I miss parts of it. There's hardly any wives so meeting those built in friends is hard. This new unit does apparently have an active FRG so maybe it'll be better than our last unit.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I would have been a good JRTC wife...LOL! I was the opposite and not involved at all, but I can see missing it if you are used to being part of something so special :( I hope you go somewhere next summer that has more of those options!
ReplyDeleteSo true - obviously I can't speak about the military world but living in different countries with their different nuances... You don't realize it till you're gone and you start to miss it!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! I missed some of the very same things for our first year stationed in Hawaii because we were "so far" from the Post to get involved in much. Once we moved on Post and I got involved in more things, I was much, much, much happier. Now that I'm the FRG leader and the most senior Army spouse on Guam, I *get* to start up the coffee group. I hope that I can provide many new spouses with a glimpse of how awesome Coffee Groups AND FRGs can be. (Pray for me! ;P )
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