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Military Families
PATFORSWA/Bahrain?
Just looking for someone to commiserate/share experiences with. DH (USCG) is set to deploy over there for a year and I'm just trying to prepare myself for what to expect. I tried searching for a wives support group, but haven't had any luck finding one. As it stands, he'll be missing DD2's entire first year which of course sends me into fits of the "ugly cry" every time I think about it. I know there are a ton of other branch wives who've dealt with deployments, so any help/advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
TIA!
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Re: PATFORSWA/Bahrain?
I was active duty USCG and am currently in the reserves and my DH is active duty USCG. I had a guy at my unit who went to Bahrain and he enjoyed it (the experience and pay). He first went to training in virginia or the carolinas (not to sure which one it was).
DH spent a year at a Loran station on an island in the middle of the Bering Sea. It was rough at first, but once I got into my own routine things settled out for me. We stayed in contact via phone and if there was a satellite signal we would talk on webcam. I'm not sure about the webcam option in Bahrain, but you should be able to talk via phone.
As for you DD's first year, I would try to record the first year with videos and photos. That way he will have a way to experience the first year.
Deployment is what you make of it. I was heavily involved with the FRG during DH's last deployment and that kept me incredibly busy. I'm sure two LO's will keep you plenty busy but try to make some time for adult interaction for your sanity and some fun time.
As far as your LO's, look into a Flip camera to make short videos you can upload and email to your H. Send him lots of pictures in care packages and maybe some homemade cards or crafts from your older child.
hi
nope...a CG wife club would be awesome though. & since PATFORSWA isn't a group thing, I don't think there are any other wives in my area facing the same deployment
My DH was a member of the first group over there in 2003, so I'm sure things have changed a lot. However, I remember being in regular (almost daily) contact (both email and phone) and him getting everything I sent him via mail with no problem. While neither of us were excited at the thought of him going (only 5.5 months), it was still a great experience for him, and in hindsight, he's glad he went...you don't get opportunities like that too often in the CG. Also, while there's always technically danger when you're in an area that qualifies for combat pay, I aprpeciated knowing that he was safer than many of the other service members deployed at the same time (just before the start of the war and in the following months...it was a bit scary because there was no idea what to expect as things officially began). And...it was also nice to get tax-free income and such, because it meant we could put a downpayment on a house the next year.
Many others on this board can give better, practical advice about handling a deployment with kids involved, so I won't attempt to speak like an expert on that. I hope you can get a good support network going, even if it's just online. I think CoastieChicks.net is a good one, though I'm not on it myself, and you might find more with PATFORSWA experience.