Thoughts on being an Army wife and working mom...

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Well, it's official!! After months of waffling back and forth about whether Steve would take over as station commander of a recruiting station in Hutchinson, KS, the Army has finally sent us orders to confirm this. In the process, we put an offer an a house in KS and had to get out of the contract because it seemed we wouldn't be moving after all. We also told our friends and the kids' schools we would be moving this summer. Now that we are still here, everyone keeps asking "I thought you were moving?" To be honest, I was to the point where I believed we might be in Durango indefinitely. But a few days ago, Steve received a report date of Dec. 10 at the Hutchinson, KS station.

So why is my picture of McConnell Air Force Base? Originally we wanted to buy a house in Kansas, but now we're uncertain how long Steve will be at this duty station. It may only be two years. If that's the case, it doesn't make sense to take on a mortgage. Soooo, we will be living on the Air Force base! It is located in Wichita, about a 45 minute commute to the town where Steve will be working. This will be the first time that we have lived on base and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. For one, it is an Air Force base, not an Army base. The different services view each other very differently, so the reception we will get as an Army family is uncertain. On the other hand, I think it will be great for the kids to go to schools where there are lots of other kids whose parents are in the military. Being in a big city will be nice for a change, and should make it easier for me to find a teaching job. And shopping on post will be convenient and cheap! I suppose my biggest concern is that, as an Army family, we won't "fit in" with the other families. Also, I'm not used to being surrounded by military people, activities, etc. I've always considered myself different than the typical Army wife because I have a career. Many Army wives have always stayed home and spend their days lunching with the other wives, coordinating Family Readiness Group meetings, or volunteering their time in other military activities. That has never been my thing, and I hope it doesn't prevent me from finding a niche for myself on base. Of course, not all military wives dedicate their lives to the service. I just need to find the "normal" ones who have jobs like me :)

The kids and I will finish out school here in Durango until Christmas break and then move to KS to be with Steve. Wish us luck for a smooth transition, and keep your fingers crossed that I can find a teaching job that starts in January!