YOUNG AND IN THE MILITARY (The Girlfriend Perspective): GETTING SETTLED

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Starting out:

When I first got together with my best friend (now boyfriend) he was a Marine in the US Marine Corps, "I had no idea what that would mean for me. I had no idea what military life was like, and knew nothing about the military in general. Since, I knew this was going to be my new life, I wanted to find out as much as I could about it." Here are a few things that I did and that I recommend to get started:

1. What it means for the girlfriend

As a girlfriend we are not able to do or get certains things a spouse can. But don't let that intimidate you because being a girlfriend is just as important as being a wife. Meaning girlfriends are unable to live on base, have a military I.D, and the SO usually lives in the barracks. I'm not sure how true this is so you may have to look into this, some SO's and their girlfriends can live together OFF post. If this is an option for the base "looking around online at houses in the area where my boyfriend was going to be stationed. We weighed the pros and cons of buying a house and moving into an apartment. Depending on what your situation is, it will be different for each family. If you read the first part of my series Young and in the Military: Getting Started, then you know that I suggested joining a support group or a military girlfriends group in your area or on Facebook. If you have done this, start asking questions of the wives/girlfriends who live in the area you are moving to and find out the best places to live."

2. Being there

My boyfriend right now, is based a few states away from me. So know your significant other may not always be there when important or big events happen. For example anniversaries, birthdays, births, graduations, etc. I realize I may not have my boyfriend physically with me during big events, I can always call, video chat, or text him though. So then I know he is here in spirit. I realize some girlfriends are going through a deployment or their significant other has field training, under these circumstances the rules then change. We have to be ready for these things...

3. Everything can change...

Always be ready for things to change. Not being family means even to write or email your significant other sometimes you have to contact family for this information. Also, know everything can change on a moments notice be sure to cherish EVERY. LITTLE. MOMENT. especially time together. If you have children together be sure to take care of them and yourself, your significant other will most likely never tell you that but you have to always be strong for your family.