Communicating in the Navy?

Question

I am a new Navy wife but I have had so little contact with the military in my life, I know nothing about it. How do we communicate well when he is out? We have not been doing that well. What's ship life like? What about all the military lingo I don't get? How do I explain all this to our kids? How about their confusing schedules? Is there some military life for dummys book out there or site with this kind of stuff because I have been so lost on all of it. Please Help.

On the communication, we do use the ship e-mail, but it's more how we communicate. We go through this big circle of getting mad at each other, making up, being depressed... I don't know how to talk to him when he's away...

Answer 1

Yes, there is someone who can help. Your husband's command Ombudsman. Ask your husband to find out who the Ombudsman is, or call the command yourself and ask for the phone number to the Ombudsman.

The Navy Ombudsman program was established to provide family members a link to command information, including how to contact your spouse, how to decipher the lingo, and who to turn to in case of problems.

Sometimes the Ombudsman may not have all the answers. Inquire about the local Fleet and Family Service Center (FFSC). They also have great resources and programs to help with being a Navy wife.

Thanks for your husband's, and your service, to the Navy.

Answer 2

Find out who your Ombudsman is. This person will tell you everything you want to know. Seriously...their job is to help you and anyway possible.
There is a great book i bought when my hubby was in bootcamp called "Married to the Military" awesome book, I recommend it.
Go to --- militaryonesource.com --- lots of information for you there also.
He should have email on the ship. As for the lingo, thats a learning process, it takes a lot of time to get that down. Ship life out to sea is very busy. not a lot of sleep on there end.
I hope you take my info about the Ombudsman and the website. It will really help you...I promise.

to answer the added part of you question, talk like you normally would to him. he is still the same person, he's just far away right now. communication is the key with all relationships, especially military. it's normal to go thru the circles of emotions, just try to stay on track. dont waste time fighting, all it will do is make you feel worse.

Answer 3

The advice about getting in touch with other Navy wives is a good one. Hopefully you're near a base. I think if you do a search for the base, you'll probably be able to find a website with some good resources applicable to your area/situation. There's also a website called military.com - you may find some info/support there as well. You should ask him about e-mail; I know many units these days have Internet access (if he's on a sub, you're out of luck). As far as books go, do a search on Amazon for "military spouse" - I'm sure there's something. Try to find something recent, though. Military life is tough on families, especially Navy families. I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 4

Military One Source is your friend. It has a butt ton of resources for you to use.

Also, TAKE the Spouse 101 Class offered at the FFSC. It will help you do little things like understand the LES and translate the TLA(Three letter acronym) hell that is Navy Speak.

also, look for support from fellow spouses. Join the spouses club, get involved with the FRG, find out who your Ombudsman is.

and then stop by the Forums at military.com. we don't bite.. much...

Answer 5

I dont know much on how to communicate when he is gone, but as for the lingo and stuff there are a lot of websites that can help. Like military.com, or go to navy.com. Also they have programs for navy men that have families.

Answer 6

Do you live near a base? If so, try to get involved with Navy spouses' clubd there.

Answer 7

I am a navy wife and my husband is forward deployed so I know how it goes. Email me I can help you out. We are in Japan.