Sometimes having a loved one in the military can make us feel like we’re from another planet. Things we take for granted make no sense to our civilian friends. I’m going to give the rest of the world a peek about things a military family learns when a loved one enlists:
1) Not just soldiers.
Those in the Navy are sailors, those in the Marine Corps are Marines, and those in the Airforce are Airmen. Only those in the Army refer to themselves as soldiers. “Service Members” or “Troops” are the acceptable generic terms for those in the military.
2) Acronyms aplenty.
MOS (Military Occupation Specialty), FPO (Fleet Post Office), PCS (Permanent Change of Station), CO (Commanding Officer) and XO (Executive Officer) are just a few of the terms that actually make sense to us.
Read More: Giving Our Troops the Power of Hope
3) Boots that are not footwear.
This is also a term for those who have graduated boot camp but haven’t yet been on deployment.
4) Defining a civilian.
Anyone who does not have a loved one in the military is considered a civilian.
5) Digging deep for bravery.
Sending a loved away to war with a smile and a hug is one of the bravest things I’ve ever seen.
6) Telling military time.
When someone asks us the time, we’re as apt to come out with “eighteen hundred hours” as we are “Six o’clock.”
7) Seeing the price of freedom.
For us, it’s not a concept. The price of freedom brings the face of someone we love to the forefront of our minds.
8) Never missing a call.
During deployment, there’s nothing more precious than hearing the voice of a loved one. That static-filled, 30-second conversation is a lifeline. I’ve seen family members dive over furniture, leap across toddlers and upend a bottomless seeming purse to avoid missing that call.
9) True heroism.
It has very little to do with mighty acts. Instead it’s made up of the quiet fulfillment of duty—no matter the cost.
10) Trusting God.
He’s able to provide protection, comfort and peace—even when the world around us is filled with worry, fear and war.
Having a loved one in the military really isn’t so different or scary, once we get used to it. God is always with us, no matter how frightened we feel.
