Deploymentlessons.org

I have learned just how much of all the little stuff I took for granted while my husband was here and life surely doesn’t stop while he is gone.  I never knew just how long 24 hours felt day after day.   Ft. Carson, Colorado

I’ve learned that as soon as you find out your husband’s leave dates, time seems to stop completely.

I have learned that no matter the branch, no matter the length, a deployment is a deployment…and a military spouse still needs support and understanding.

I have learned that browsing websites like these are the perfect cure for lonely nights.  Ft Campbell

I have learned that…it’s best to choose your battles wisely.  Baby powder will come out of the comforter, carpet and my son’s hair!!!!

I have learned that you should not depend on your man so much when he’s here, because when he is away, everything will be so much harder to do!  Scotland

I have learned that the last week of deployment is the longest!  Scotland

I learned that the phrase “How are you doing?” caused instantaneous tears no matter how good my day was going, but I also discovered the meaning of true friendship, and pride.

I have learned that during deployments the brakes on the car go; I do get to shop alone; my kids are resilient as hell; that when I go grocery shopping, its for two areas of the world; my friends become my family around me; the house is easier to clean without his army stuff being on my floor daily; and that I AM A PROUD SURVIVING DEPLOYMENT ARMY WIFE!

I have learned that you do need the Emergency Manual from the Ombudsman because wildfires can start 4 days after deployment and you will have to evacuate.  San Diego

I have learned that the lawn mower needs gas to start, driving with the emergency brake ON is bad for your car, tarps do not keep the roof from leaking, you CAN get pink eye in both eyes at the same time, the Air force does not want my husband to EVER celebrate our anniversary, and that no matter how many deployments you go through it never gets any easier!  Bolling AFB, DC

I have learned that 35 boxes for a 7 month deployment will just be enough.  VA Beach

Just as “Necessity is the mother of invention,” I have learned that deployment is an incubator for the seeds of faith, creativity, determination and strength. It may get a little hot in here, and I may be covered in dirt and — shall we say — “fertilizer,” but the end result, I pray, is growth.   Ramstein, Germany

I have learned that everything breaks within 3 weeks of deployment, and fixes itself a week before he comes home for R&R… and then breaks again!

I’ve learned that an adult (myself) can get strep for the first time in her life while her husband is deployed AND that both cars we owned could get hail damage while he was gone….survived both.  WHat is the saying- when is rains, it pours….or just bangs the crap out of your car!  ha,ha.

I have learned that once a PROUD MILITARY SPOUSE, always a PROUD MILITARY SPOUSE! After 20 years, it’s just in your HEART and SOUL!  Summerville, SC

I have learned that with the help of just one person who TRULY understands, I CAN get through anything.  Corvallus, Oregon

I have learned that your eyebrows will grow back after you have lite the grill for the first time.  Ft. Bliss

I have learned that boys really do need their dads especially after 5th grade health class.

I have learned to steal away every “dirty” shirt my husband wears during his last week or two home prior to a deployment, and then ziploc them.  Coupled with that, I have learned only to smell them when I have time to cry.  Fort Wainwright, AK