Supporting Your Service Member

The role that spouses and parents play when it comes to supporting a service member are very different, yet very important. Maybe you’re not thrilled that your significant other made this decision to enlist. Or, maybe you decided on this together! Either way, the role you play as a significant other to your service member is essential.

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 if you are doing long distance. 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.

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 if they are working 16-hour days, 6 days a week. Or when and where they get deployment orders to. And, most of the time, they don’t even have all of the details or reasoning 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!