The ABCs of Military Life, from my husbands perspective
While I was participating in the A-Z challenge and writing my ABCs of Military Life, I realized my choices for the letter varied from what my husband would use to represent each letter. So I asked him if he would help me out and do a list of his own to share with all of you all about his ideas of what the ABCs of Military Life are. I thought it would be nice to be able to compare the difference between the military spouse and military members points of view.
A is for Acronyms
Every unit has its own list of acronyms and you have to learn hundreds of them for each job throughout your career. Some of them having multiple meanings.
B is for Breaks Between Meetings
These are some of my most coveted times, times when I can catch up on emails, phone calls, etc. and just maybe grab a quick drink (water or coffee) before running off to the next meeting.
C is for Coffee
The more the better.
D is for Deployments
Enough said.
E is for Exercises
Participating in exercises is inevitable. A time when you stop doing your normal job, so you can show someone you can do your normal job.
F is for Friday Morale Shirts
The new Air Force regulations allow for you to now wear a colored shirt under your ABUs on Fridays. Each squadron has the opportunity to pick what color they want to use to represent them. (Currently my husband wears Navy blue, don’t tell him I told you that…he claims its Air Force blue…but it is Navy blue, he isn’t fooling anyone)
G is for Golf
Which I do not know how to play, but realize I should learn.
H is for “Hurry up and wait”
The unspoken motto of the military.
I is for Inspections
It could be a uniform inspection, a safety inspection, a dorm inspection….they are endless.
J is for Joint Operations
I’ve worked closely with at least one member of every branch of the service.
K is for Koffee
Spell it with a C or K, as long as it is hot and strong!
L is for Leadership
In our careers everyone is tasked to be a leader at some point or another, and it is important to be confident in who you are and what you do, so you can lead others.
M is for Mustache March
My most favorite month of the year. (This one is the same on both of our lists for very different reasons)
N is for National Security Act of 1947
It is what created the United States Air Force
O is for Officer Performance Reports
It is very difficult to write a page in one line.
P is for PT Test
The one test I still “cram” for two weeks in advance.
Q is for Quality Coffee
Do you see a theme here?
R is for Reality
Day-to-day life is normal, but the reality of it is, our life is different
S is for September 18th
The Air Force’s Birthday.
T is for Traditions
See Mustache March
U is for Uniforms
Constantly updating, outgrowing, or destroying them. (Another similarity)
V is for Vacation Planning-ish
Vacation plans can change, often and without notice, due to the needs of the military
W is for WTF
I say it at least twice a day, it can be a noun, a verb, an adjective, a question, a statement, or an opinion. (Wahoo, another match)
X is for X-Ray
The grown up version of getting a sticker when you go to the hospital on base.
Y is for Yes, Sir/ Yes, Ma’am
The words every boss wants to hear, all the time.
Z is for Zoo, Petting
Getting the chance to tinker with all the different military equipment is always fun.
