Let’s address the elephant in the room: being the only man in a sea of military spouses. You walk into a room, and suddenly, the music stops, and everyone turns their head to look at you. Not really a comfortable feeling. It’s not that the ladies aren’t welcoming—they most certainly are—but there’s always that awkward moment when you’re the only guy in the group. But here’s the thing: you push through. You don’t let it rattle you. After all, our mission isn’t about blending in. It’s about supporting our spouses with everything we’ve got.
Employment challenges
There’s a big issue for a milspouse, male or female, with employment. You can’t just pick up and move for a job. When your spouse is stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, you’re not exactly setting up shop in Bozeman, Montana. No, you’re here, locked and loaded, ready to support their mission. This means finding a job that doesn’t require you to pack your bags and head for the hills every time opportunity knocks.
The solution? You’ve got two options: find work in the local market or get something remote. And let me tell you, both options come with their own set of challenges. Remote work has been a battlefield of its own. Sure, it sounds like a dream—working in your pajamas, no commute—but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. You’ve got to be disciplined, and more importantly, you must find the right opportunity. The digital world is vast, but competition is fierce, and landing a gig that both pays the bills and fuels your passion is no small feat.
Marketing is my battleground, but as any seasoned veteran will tell you, the enemy doesn’t always play fair. You’re out there competing with folks from every corner of the world, all while trying to keep one eye on your spouse’s schedule and another on your deadlines. It’s a challenge, but one worth rising to.
Why your support matters
This isn’t our time to shine. We’ve had our moment in the trenches. Now it’s their time. My wife, a Senior Master Sergeant in the Air National Guard, has earned every stripe on that uniform, and I couldn’t be prouder. The best thing I can do is stand tall beside her, not as the combat veteran I was, but as the spouse she needs now. We all know the weight of service, but now it’s about lifting her up, letting her shine bright. This is her arena, her mission.
So, to all the male military spouses out there, I say this: Embrace the challenge. Find your work, fight your battles, and most importantly, be proud of your spouse. We may not be the majority, but we are a vital part of this force. Stand tall and remember—you’re not just a military spouse; you’re part of a mission that’s bigger than all of us.