I try my best to NOT be one of those people, because honestly.. They get to me. Too much negativity. It's one thing for theses things to cross one's mind, but to constantly vocalize it.. Is that not complaining? To me, that person just seems so unhappy. Why would you want people to perceive you that way? I don't want people looking at me as a "Debbie Downer".
I admit it, I have thought, "I wish my husband had your schedule", or "I wish my husband was only gone for a weekend of training like yours instead of 6 weeks..", BUT I don't say that. I Refuse to say anything of the sort because WE ALL HAVE IT HARD being affiliated with the military. Who am I to say you have it easier compared to my husband and myself? And vice versa. YOU don't know what it's like on my end, and I don't know what it's like for you. You don't know what our schedule is like... etc. What's sad is when "Friends" are the ones "One Upping" you. I think some people think their husband.. or their husband's job is God's gift to the military branch they are associated with. These are the people I believe we need to separate ourselves from, Get rid of all negativity.
No branch is more important than the other. No Rate-JOB is better than any other in the military. And by better, I mean more important. I'm going to use a Ship as an example. Every Rate on the ship is there for a reason, they all work together for that ship to move. Your husband's job isn't the only thing that can prevent them from pulling in or pulling out. Something goes wrong with the Nukes- It can change the schedule.. If something goes wrong with the Hanger-bay Elevators- it can change the schedule. If something goes wrong with the Weapons elevators- it can change a schedule.. If Security isn't on the boat- it's going to change the schedule.. You get my point. EVERYTHING has to work together.. for the ship to "Run". From a Undesignated Rate, to a Nuke, to an Ordnanceman, to an IT to the Captain- They all have a reason on that ship. If they didn't have a purpose on that ship, they Navy wouldn't waste money on them. So don't put your husband's job on a pedestal and say it's "more important".
Coming up on Deployment, I realize these are the people I need to stay away from. These people can affect your mood, and I'm seeing them start to affect mine.. to the point where I anger easily, and I'm usually really good with controlling my anger. I need to surround myself with people who aren't saying "You have it easier" to bring me down because IT'S HARD ON ME TOO. Not just YOU.. Military Schedules are tough on EVERYONE. I'm going to take myself away from the negativity and keep with the ones who are positive, and are uplifting rather than a downer.
The point I was trying to make is that The grass may look greener on the other side, but its only AstroTurf! You've been dealt your cards, now play them the best you can.. stop wanting someone else's hand.. Hope I said that without sounding crazy.. and hopefully you got the gist of what I was trying to say. Appreciate what you have, appreciate any time you have. Make the best with what YOU have!
My husband works 14+ hours a day, comes home eats.. and then sleeps- then we start it all over again. I'm not complaining. Yes, It's hard. BUT I'm extremely grateful for that hour or two I get a day to see my husband to talk to my husband. I am also grateful that because of his schedule, I am strong enough to not break down when he's gone for a 6 week underway (predeployment training) Because I'm use to not seeing him. We get to talk more when he's underway, even if it's just through email. Some people don't see their husband at all right now... And won't for a year or more. There are women who have children with Deployed husbands... Not to mention, think of the kids with deployed dads.. and mothers.Noone should be One-Upped. We are all in tough situations. After all, are we not all in this together?
