Military Spouse Nightmares - What was your worst experience?

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:11:05 -0400

I'll keep it short, and I hope everyone stays professional.

SNCOs/Officers - do you talk to your spouses to ensure that they don't wear your rank? Lower enlisted don't answer to your spouses, and do you make sure that they aren't put into a position where they feel they have to?

I am sure (and encourage, WITHIN REASON) that folks will post some of their worst experiences with a spouse...but again - PLEASE keep it professional.

The reason I post this is I was on base today and a spouse cut in front of me in line at the Commissary...thinking that she had the right because her husband was "so and so" and she was in a hurry. I gave her a pretty harsh what-for and probably wasn't as polite about it as I could have been, but in this area it just seems to be a problem that happens too often.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Mar 14 at 2015 8:23 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:23:36 -0400

2 experiences
1. Standing in line at the bank in the FT Lewis PX. This FFD, fat freaking dependent, is yelling at the teller, "Y'all must not want my business..." I could only imagine it was a mistake made by the family's lack of financial management.
2. I was a platoon leader in Germany. This E-4's wife comes in to talk to the company commander, she was Bosnian, I think....she Just berates the commander....over such stuff as her treatment at the dental clinic...we were a truck company.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 14 at 2015 8:48 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:48:49 -0400

There it was, early OIF and the BN CDRs wife (Infantry BN) was actually going to and taking charge at formations - and a FOB was named after her in Iraq. Talking about a legacy!

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 9:13 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 21:13:27 -0400

BLUF: My wife is awesome

Not a story but an answer to your first question in the post (I'm going to act like it wasn't rhetorical). One of the first things I told my wife was: "Honey, there is no rank higher than spouse, don't demote yourself by trying to wear mine" She gets it and always makes a point to be there for the other spouses of my airmen. Apparently that's a rare thing because she keeps getting told she is 'not like other officers' wives. Something's not right about that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2017 2:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 14:04:31 -0400

My wife never had a problem with it. I was in the Army; she wasn't.

Response by SSG Ben Gilstrap made Sep 4 at 2017 2:19 PM

SSG Ben Gilstrap — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 14:19:01 -0400

I out ranked my wife. We were both Drill Sergeants in the Army. She later left active duty and transfered to the Air Force. I never asserted my rank on the Air Base but I sure did scare the hell out of an AF butter bar. He had never heard the bellow of an infantry drill sergeant give him the greeting of the day or the crisp salute from the edge of a round brown. I didn't even get a salute back. It was more of a terrified animal hiding from prey look.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2017 2:56 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 14:56:19 -0400

I'm not entirely convinced this sort of thing actually happens. It just makes me sad to think about it.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Sep 4 at 2017 3:43 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 15:43:31 -0400

I must say, this is unacceptable. I frequent the Commissary and exchange at MCB LeJeune frequently and have nothing but pleasant experiences, i.e. excuse me, thanks, you go ahead and the like. Sorry your base is like it is.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2017 3:51 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 15:51:51 -0400

When I was a private my wife went to her first FRG meeting and there was a spouse there saying to the effect. My husband is a SFC and I can't believe you don't have Mountain Dew here for me. My wife came home shell shocked at her behavior and from that date forward she never ever used my rank for evil. She was the perfect army spouse and made me look good. Always willing to volunteer and help the Soldiers and spouses with advice or whatever was needed to include giving Soldiers food when they didn't have enough.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2017 4:42 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 16:42:32 -0400

Working gate guard at camp Lejeune. Lady drives up and said she left here id on base. I told her then she needed someone to bring it to her and she wasn't getting on base. Then told me she was a LT wife and was ordering me to let her on base. Will just say after a tactful convo she left.