Comments on: Men Are Military Spouses Too

By: Tara

Tara — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 16:20:55 +0000

Spouses group only work with volunteers, and every spouses group I have ever been in is always need in more volunteers. Stepping up to help facilitate change is important, but people being opening to change is also important. I’ve been lucky enough to be at a few bases where the male military spouses have wanted to participate, and have participated. I wrote this post after talking to one of them, who said, they show up to things but are often looked at funny for coming, and they wish they didn’t feel like such an outcast.

By: Tara

Tara — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 16:15:05 +0000

Exactly, its not completely on the shoulders of military wives, the husbands have to want to participate!

By: TJ

TJ — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 22:09:40 +0000

How about this? More people need to volunteer. If everybody with these awesome ideas stood up and said “hey, I’ll host a coffee/social, I’m doing whatever theme….”, then people would probably be all for it! In the last few units I’ve been in, most coffees are hosted by the same 5-6 people. Those same 5-6 people are the ones who are so over volunteered, you kinda get what you get. So yeah, if you aren’t happy with what’s out there, get out there and volunteer and MAKE THAT CHANGE HAPPEN instead of sitting back and waiting for it and then complaining when it doesn’t. It’s annoying. I think our unit has probably less than 10 male spouses. I’ve never once seen them at the gender neutral events, the actual military events (changes of command, etc…) so it’s hard to feel sorry for them based on my experience.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 20:10:37 +0000

I agree with a wider range, but the only way it’s going to change is if you show up with fellow male spouses and volunteer to head up that committee! It’s all volunteer so let’s get those going. Women are notoriously going to do what they know.. Id love to have a beer tasting group. Some bases have had golf groups and bowling groups. Just tell me where or when! 2 assignments ago the club president was a man. He made some nice changes but would also come to the tea parties decked out in his Sunday best. It was awesome. We know you are out there, so come on out and help make that change!! We will welcome you and your ideas.

By: Tara

Tara — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:56:01 +0000

I agree 100% that a wider range of activities would bring in a wider range of military spouses of both genders! I think its important to remember tradition, but it is also important to grow and evolve.

By: Fritz Schneider

Fritz Schneider — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:20:12 +0000

You make a good point there about the “neutral” activities like the zoo. Anytime I have mentioned groups focusing on “tea parties” I get the obligatory “We had a beer tasting back in 2009!” response. I don’t drink a lot of beer. I don’t really like it. The thing is though is that the military is made up of people from all walks of life. There are women who play golf, women who enjoy fishing and women who watch football. By expanding the list of activities to include more diverse options, groups would not only see an increase in male participation but also more women may be drawn to attend and it would also serve to provide some fun activities to round out someone’s experiences as a military spouse.

By: Tara

Tara — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 13:00:04 +0000

I am so happy to see so many people are noticing the male spouses too!