“If you are ever in a position to wonder if you ought to attend a military social function without your spouse, I suggest that you at least consider gathering a few other wives who are in the same boat and going together. Unit dynamics vary as to what might seem weird, of course, but it was a pleasant and natural-feeling experience for us. I believe that the fact that we’re being kept in the loop for more than FRG events bodes well for keeping feelings of isolation from the squadron “family” at bay throughout this deployment.”

When we reported to our first fast attack, Hubby was immediately deployed on a different boat to get qualified, while his assigned boat was in the shipyard. I didn’t know anyone at all, but went by myself to the Eng Hail and Farewell. Not only did I get to know his future coworkers, but I made a little support network of wives and other wardroom people, all without him being there. And once the boat was back on sea duty, I kept up that network, which made the deployments much more bearable.

I’m not a social butterfly at heart, but it sure helps to fake it!