Posted on Oct 15, 2014
SFC Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist
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I was recently talking with colleagues about Army wives and the clichés we see from them.

-A few of the things we saw over and over are:
-Buying an EOS Rebel camera and thinking that qualifies them to be a professional photographer.
-Using their husband's one time elective surgery for breast enhancement/liposuction.
-Trying to wear their husband's rank on base or with other wives, especially in the FRG.
-Thinking they can make a decent second income by selling crafts. Many invest money into these crafts to sell. A few actually try to sell them, fewer succeed at selling them. We knew of noone who did not lose money doing this.
-And of couse the Dependopottamus: note, this is not simply an Army wife who is overweight, a dependopottamus is the Army wife who is pretty much only in it for the benefits of being an Army wife such as insurance, the money, tricare, dental and the overall security of having a working husband, they do not work or actively take part in unit events, they will only do what it takes to remain a military dependant.

We were talking about this and we were curious if the spouse stereotypes were the same across all services, and also I want to know what the typical Army Husband is.
Posted in these groups: Spouses logo Spouses
Edited >1 y ago
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CW5 Desk Officer
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Edited >1 y ago
What good things have you seen among Army wives, SFC (Join to see)? I've seen many of the items you list, but there are also hardworking wives who are motivated and an important part of the Army family. I know, for example, when I was on active duty, my wife ...

- was not overweight
- worked a regular job AND did most of the cooking, cleaning, housework
- attended college evenings and weekends and earned a degree
- raised our two daughters (mostly with little help from me)
- handled extended absences with courage and grace
- put up with moving around the world for twenty-plus years

Any other good traits of Army spouses?
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SFC Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
There are a TON of good qualities of a Military spouse, I was simply asking about the clichés and stereotypes that we see. Bottom line, the best Military spouses are truly exhausted all the time, usually from all the reasons you have listed. I however was not asking about the best, I was asking about the typical/stereotypical.
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SFC Joseph Lumpkins
SFC Joseph Lumpkins
>1 y
Yes their are a few bad apples out there, but I think the majority of spouses are good and do a lot more than we give them credit for. My wife worked a full time job plus helped me raise my daughter who was not hers while I did two tours in Korea.
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CSM Charles Hayden
CSM Charles Hayden
>1 y
CW5 (Join to see) Chief - Great 'praise' comments!! When is the last time you gratuitously sent her a 'praise' - 'appreciation' greeting card?
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CSM Charles Hayden
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When I meet a military couple, my praise and appreciation of the spouse's service is always appreciated!
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SSG James N.
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You missed the Tricaratops. She comes with a smooth look, young face, and goes only after E4 and below, the newer the better. She waits for deployment, then wants to get married. Two days after you leave, she and mom(who's been running the con the entirer time) fleece your young dumb ass and you learn why your squad leader, and TL ben telling you FUCK NO, STAHHHP
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