Supporting Your Service Member

The role that parents and spouses play when it comes to supporting a service member are very different, yet very important. Maybe you’re not thrilled that your son or daughter has made this courageous decision to enlist- maybe you’re thrilled and always knew that they would! Regardless, we must learn to accept and come to terms with their choice, and offer our support and encouragement.

What are some ways that you can support them? There are many! Sending letters and care packages is a one great way to show your love and support. Once your Marine gets to their Permanent Duty Station, they will receive an address and you will be able to send as many care packages as your heart desires. Care packages can include things like their favorite snacks or other fun things that you want to send. Photos, writing materials, anything! Care packages can be such a fun way to distract yourself from being apart from your service member.

Another way to support your service member is by allowing them to have this freedom. They are going to be meeting so many new people and gaining so many new experiences over their Marine Corps journey, and it’s important to respect their space when they need it.

Perhaps one of the most important ways in which we can support our service members is by understanding that they literally have no control over (almost) anything. They have no control over how many hours they work, over how many days a week they work, or when and where they get deployment orders to. And, most of the time, they don’t even have all of the details either. It’s important in these times when we feel frustrated by their circumstances that we allow ourselves to take a step back and understand that we have no control over anything, and neither do they. Your service member will feel much more supported and at ease if we exhibit the behaviors of staying flexible!