Lessons in Life: One Year of Being an Army Wife

Even though we got married in February, March was really when we started "Army life" at Fort Carson. March was when I really became an Army wife and had to start to figure all of that out. Let me tell you, there was (and still is) a lot to learn. Here are some highlights of the things I've learned in our first year at Fort Carson:

• I still don't really understand what to do when retreat happens and I'm driving at 5 pm; like what if I'm at a red light and it turns green? what if I can 't pull over to the side of the road???
• I definitely don't understand why people don't stop for the flag at 5 pm
• Military/24 hour time still confuses the heck out of me; all I can tell is 1300 is 1 pm and 1700 is 5 pm- everything else I'm having to do the math on
• Being an Officer's wife has a ton of stereotypes surrounding it and I can guarantee you like 90% of them are not true...and they're really not true when your husband is a Lieutenant 
• Your military ID is the most valuable thing you own because you're honestly not even a person without it
• ACS is a beautiful program, especially here at Carson
• If you're completely new to being a full time Army wife, you should absolutely take AFTB classes
• I honestly thought I knew a lot from Connor being in ROTC, but there's SO much to learn
• Getting through the gate by myself used to make me nervous all the time (I honestly don't know why) but now it's just a part of everyday life
• Honestly just driving around post used to freak me out because I was sure I'd end up in a restricted area and get in trouble (lol ridiculous, I know)
• If you're a military family and not taking advantage of ITR (or ITT for the Air Force) you're crazy; you can get tickets and vacations at a serious discount
• Sometimes I forget other people (aka normal people) don't understand military abbreviations and I forget to explain what I'm talking about
• It really just depends on your family and where you're stationed, but I love living on post. We lived off post when we first moved here and while our apartment wasn't awful, we were broke trying to pay for it and hated our complex. Plus I feel so much safer being inside the gates.
• The Army 100% runs our lives, but it keeps us on our toes and I'm fine with it
• Learning the lingo really helps
• Knowing all the different ranks isn't vital, but honestly doesn't hurt to learn...I'm still learning like of half the ranks
• Going to the doctor when you're on Tricare is easily a month long process
• You can be super involved or totally hands off  Army life as you want; join the FRG or Spouses Club...or don't 
• I definitely recommend finding something to plug into; a lot of people don't understand this crazy life unless they're living or have lived it

Here are some things specific to Fort Carson:

• There are so many events and resources here, its incredible! While majority of them are for families with children, there's still stuff for couples without kids. 
• I kind of already mentioned this, but ACS here is awesome! There are a ton of classes and resources offered that are completely free. This is where you would take AFTB classes
• If you PCS here, do the Newcomer's Orientation. You get a tour of post AND Colorado Springs, which is extremely helpful
• MWR is also 10/10 here-there are a ton of gyms (aka personal fitness centers), pools, and programs here to keep you moving and exploring
• the 'get on the bus' trips are perfect during ski/snowboarding season, definitely something we have to do before we leave here
• Our PX is pretty nice, better than Peterson AFB (which is nearby)
• I honestly don't mind shopping at the commissary, it saves us so much money; if the Carson commissary is out of something (which happens often around paydays), we'll go to the Peterson one because it's pretty nice too
• sometimes we'll go elsewhere for select stuff, but that's more like if we want a brand of something the commissary doesn't carry
• A lot of people complain about Balfour Beatty aka on post housing. We haven't really had any problems with them, but I've learned all of this depends on the village you live in. So do some research on your village before you count them out.
• If you want to live off post, its pretty much buy your own house or live in an apartment
• Mountain Post Spouses Club is the spouses club here and it's definitely worth joining 
• Fort Carson is big! I still get lost once and awhile

I could honestly add on something to this post daily. I am always learning and discovering new things. This time last year, I was in such a different place. I'm thankful for this past year though, because I have learned and grown so much. It's not easy being a newlywed AND trying to figure out the Army, but what is life without challenges? Any Army wives read this blog? Give me your advice and share your stories with me!

Until next time,

K. Shep