Army wife book?

Question

I am about to marry the man of my dreams in July, he just happens to be an ARMY soldier. It has been suggested to me that I get a book or two about the ins and outs of the army. I looked for a few but I really dont know what to get. I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations. I would say that I know very little about day to day army life. I dont want it to be a total shock to my system when I join him. I could use a book that tells me very logical army things (terms, rules, regulations, jargon, how things work). But I have been told that there are also books about just surviving being an army wife.

Please dont leave rude inconsiderate answers. I know I dont know anything about the army, you dont have to point it out for me. I'm just trying to prepare myself to be the best, most helpful army wife I can be to support my husband. Thanks!

okay, so i know they exist. not helpful unless you have recommendations.

Answer 1

Go to www.myarmylifetoo.com. It's a Army family website. It has a lot of useful information about the Army. Go to the Family Members section and choose AFTB (Army Family Team Building). It'll teach you everything you need to know about the Army. For example, how to read military paychecks, military time, how to dress at a military ball, military jargin, and a lot of other things. After reading all of the sections (AFTB Levels 1,2,3), you'll get a Certificate of Completion for each level in the end.

Answer 2

The Army Wife Handbook: A Complete Social Guide by Ann Crossley "Married to the Military: A Survival Guide for Military Wives, Girlfriends and Women in Uniform," by Meredith Leyva (she also runs the CinChouse website) "Today's Military Wife: Meeting the Challenges of Service Life," by Lydia Sloan Cline "The Homefront Club: The Hardheaded Woman's Guide to Raising a Military Family," by Jacey Eckhart Service Etiquette - try to get the newest edition

Answer 3

Hi! First, let me congratulate you on your upcoming wedding! I am the proud wife of a soldier (Army) for 17 years and have to tell you that I'm not sure a "book" is going to give you what you need. Your best bet, once you arrive on post and get settled in to your home, is to meet other wives. Your other best source of info is going to be your husband.....I can't tell you how much I've learned about the Army just by listening to him when he comes home at the end of the day. I was also involved with the Family Readiness Group. I will say that this is going to be one of the most challenging experiences you will ever have in life....sometimes it can be pretty tough being an Army wife......I've always said my husband's first love is the Army.....but on the other hand, you will meet people throughout his career that will be more than a family to you and will become lifelong friends. I hope this helps!! Welcome to the family!!

Answer 4

Congratulations!
As suggested before try www.myarmylifetoo.com This is a great spot to start learning about being an Army spouse. Also try to get your Soldier-To-Be to put you in contact with his units FRG (Family Readiness Group). This is a Command sponsored group that allows spouses and families to pull together in preparation for and during deployments. They have a wealth of information and experience to draw from.

I do caution about some of the books out there. My wife found one recently that was originally written in '50s and hardly had been updated since. It talked about when & how you should wear long gloves to a social gathering and how to set up for a "Coffee". It was all about how to be a "Prim & Proper Army Wife." My wife thought it was very entertaining and nothing like how it is today.

Best of Luck to you both.

Answer 5

Separated By Duty, United In Love, Shellie Vandevoore

Married to the Military: A Survival Guide for Military Wives, Meredith Leyva (Author)

Those are two you can find more at amazon.com by a search just as simple as army wife. But I have the first one i mentioned and married to the military seems ok, especially with the acronyms.

The link below is a list of websites that you can find decent information about military family support information.
http://www.wramc.army.mil/providerinfo/FamilySupport/web_site.htm

I wish I had more info for you...I am lucky that i am prior service cause otherwise I think I would have been lost, especially with my husband, as sweet as he is, is not the best at communicating what is going on with work (but who wants to bring work home with them if they can drop it at the door!?!), so when he talks about work with all the crazy acronyms the military loves I get it...I can honestly say that it is harder being married to a soldier than sometimes it was being one.

I would be more than happy to talk more, you can contact me if you want to with anything...my hunny is currently deployed so I am definitely here.

Answer 6

forget the books. 98% of them are written by Officer wives anyway and serve zero useful purpose whatsoever. ESPECIALLY stay away from the one with the pink camo cover. trust me.

the first base you are stationed at, look into the Spouse 101 Class. everybody offers them,. and it's probably once a month. navy runs them through FFSC..Fleet and Family Support Center. I am unsure of the Army Equivalent's name, but I know they have one. This class will give you a good baseline to start.. how to read an LES, how to navigate TRICARE and stuff like that.

alo.. there are numerous webistes and forums message boards out there that will help, and you will get HONEST answers, not hype like you would from some dumb book.

I can recommend several: military.com, armywives.com, militarySOS. are a few of the better ones.

ETA: HI! BAW. ( I am a Mod at Mil.com too heheheh)

Answer 7

Just married an ARMY guy myself. Honestly, if you live off base, you don't have to deal with the everyday part of life. The hard part is when he goes on deployment. You have to enroll in DEERS, Tricare, and also be his power of attorney. I'm still new myself, but its not as bad as it seems. My husband is still teaching me the ropes. There are acronoyms for EVERYTHING!!! Got to armywives.com or watch the new Army Wives show on Lifetime. On the homepage for the new show, there is a list of all the acronoyms. The benefits honestly weight out the disadvantages. Good Luck.

Answer 8

Hi Sweetie :)
Congrats on getting married..

Check out amazon.com (or the link below)....they have wonderful books for army as well as other military spouses. :)

I also suggest you join yahoo clubs (message boards) for military gfs, wives, fiances... :) this will give you an insight on what you have coming at you. :)

Wish you all the best :)

I'm a Navy Sailor's GF. :)

Answer 9

Believe it or not, there are books on being an Army Wife!! lol....I know, I thought the same thing--are they serious?!?!

It covers EVERYTHING though. Follow my link, goes to Amazon.com and you can order them. I've also heard that you can get them at the PX as well....personally, I've never read these books, but I hear from my other wives(I'm a mod at military.com) that it's got some great info on the do's and don't's of social stuff and other handy tips. :)

Answer 10

I have never seen a book on being a military wife. If you will find a wife's org. on base and maybe read the military regs book it might help you. The wife's club will have older (longer serving members) that can help and will help you.