The Benefits of Being A Military Spouse
Being a military spouse overall is quite the difficult task.
You've heard me say many a time that we are married single parents.
However, with the recent flood of 'woe is me' type propaganda floating around, I felt is prudent to write this post.
Being a military spouse is different from a civilian spouse and is often more difficult; however, there are some fabulous benefits that go along with being a milspouse!
Don't get me wrong.
It's not always the Hilton, but you get a roof over your head.
When housing on post is full, you are provided a basic housing allowance (BAH) to find a place to live off-post.
The only 'downside' to this, is that depending on the area assigned, your BAH may not completely cover the cost of your rent.
However, it usually comes pretty darn close.
Really?? Do you know how much our civilian counterparts are paying for food?? I went to my local grocery store (my nearest commissary is 77 miles away) to buy a pound of butter.
It cost me $5! In the commissary, it's about $3.
I won't even get started on the price of meats and things.
What I'm saying is - you have to spend less on food, so there's something to spend on you!
You hear the 'oh I had to leave my family and friends'...
but what about living in Italy for 3 years, and your kids being bi-lingual by the time it's all said and done.
What about the opportunity to see and experience things your friends and family only get to read about in books and watch on TV.
Not only that, you get to do it on the government's dime.
Do you know how much it costs just to go 'hang out' on vacation in one of these places??
We have built-in health insurance.
No, the military hospitals might not be near as efficient as a civilian hospital.
Yeah, you might have to hurry up and wait, BUT...
you know what you don't get? A medical bill.
There are instances where you end up paying for some things, but that's only if you end up at a civilian facility and you didn't check to see if they accept Tricare.
Do you know how much it costs to have a baby? Do you know how much it costs to have surgery? Me either! That's why this is an awesome benefit!
Many stores offer a military discount.
I just bought a new set of furniture, and didn't have to pay the tax.
Many retailers offer a discount (usually around 10%) on their products and services.
Is 10% a lot? No, but it's better than the previous nothing being offered before.
Don't take these discounts for granted.
Business owners don't have to offer it to us.
As for my family, we patronize businesses that offer military discounts.
They support us, therefore we bring our business.
Oh yeah, check out theme parks as well.
Many theme parks offer military discounts for admission - sometimes free.
My family and I went to Sea World in Orlando for free.
How many civilian spouses are living it up at Sea World at no cost?!
You can read about the educational benefits in the Ezine article '3 Tuition Assistance Programs for Military Spouses'.
In contrast, most civilian spouses only get educational benefits offered when they're spouse has been killed in the line of duty or just not at all.
This is a HUGE opportunity for you to be able to continue your education even on the move!
These privileges are reserved for the military family, and not available to the general public.
Yes, the general public has these opportunities; however, it is at a much higher cost.
Being a military spouse is a tough job, but it has its perks.
I would encourage you to stop looking at the difficulties, and focus on the benefits that you have.
Take advantage of all that's being offered to you, and you won't have time to be miserable.
You've heard me say many a time that we are married single parents.
However, with the recent flood of 'woe is me' type propaganda floating around, I felt is prudent to write this post.
Being a military spouse is different from a civilian spouse and is often more difficult; however, there are some fabulous benefits that go along with being a milspouse!
- You don't have to worry about the rent!
Don't get me wrong.
It's not always the Hilton, but you get a roof over your head.
When housing on post is full, you are provided a basic housing allowance (BAH) to find a place to live off-post.
The only 'downside' to this, is that depending on the area assigned, your BAH may not completely cover the cost of your rent.
However, it usually comes pretty darn close.
- Bye-bye grocery store and helllloooo Commissary
Really?? Do you know how much our civilian counterparts are paying for food?? I went to my local grocery store (my nearest commissary is 77 miles away) to buy a pound of butter.
It cost me $5! In the commissary, it's about $3.
I won't even get started on the price of meats and things.
What I'm saying is - you have to spend less on food, so there's something to spend on you!
- Travel
You hear the 'oh I had to leave my family and friends'...
but what about living in Italy for 3 years, and your kids being bi-lingual by the time it's all said and done.
What about the opportunity to see and experience things your friends and family only get to read about in books and watch on TV.
Not only that, you get to do it on the government's dime.
Do you know how much it costs just to go 'hang out' on vacation in one of these places??
- Medical Benefits
We have built-in health insurance.
No, the military hospitals might not be near as efficient as a civilian hospital.
Yeah, you might have to hurry up and wait, BUT...
you know what you don't get? A medical bill.
There are instances where you end up paying for some things, but that's only if you end up at a civilian facility and you didn't check to see if they accept Tricare.
Do you know how much it costs to have a baby? Do you know how much it costs to have surgery? Me either! That's why this is an awesome benefit!
- Military Discounts
Many stores offer a military discount.
I just bought a new set of furniture, and didn't have to pay the tax.
Many retailers offer a discount (usually around 10%) on their products and services.
Is 10% a lot? No, but it's better than the previous nothing being offered before.
Don't take these discounts for granted.
Business owners don't have to offer it to us.
As for my family, we patronize businesses that offer military discounts.
They support us, therefore we bring our business.
Oh yeah, check out theme parks as well.
Many theme parks offer military discounts for admission - sometimes free.
My family and I went to Sea World in Orlando for free.
How many civilian spouses are living it up at Sea World at no cost?!
- Educational opportunities
You can read about the educational benefits in the Ezine article '3 Tuition Assistance Programs for Military Spouses'.
In contrast, most civilian spouses only get educational benefits offered when they're spouse has been killed in the line of duty or just not at all.
This is a HUGE opportunity for you to be able to continue your education even on the move!
- Post Priviliges
These privileges are reserved for the military family, and not available to the general public.
Yes, the general public has these opportunities; however, it is at a much higher cost.
Being a military spouse is a tough job, but it has its perks.
I would encourage you to stop looking at the difficulties, and focus on the benefits that you have.
Take advantage of all that's being offered to you, and you won't have time to be miserable.
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