As she reflects on her years of obstacles and opportunities, Stacey sees a common theme of friendship. From the neighbors that supported her through years of deployments to the friends that stood by her side while her husband completed spacewalks to the women she could count on to make the ordinary days more exciting, Stacey’s community has helped her and her family to feel at home wherever the Army has sent them. 

“I have an incredible amount of freedom and peace knowing that wherever we go, I have the skills to begin creating the community I need,” she says. “Those aren’t skills reserved for a certain personality type. They’re skills anyone can learn.” 

How Military Spouse Friendships Can Carry You Through Deployment

Stacey’s first lesson in the importance of community came during the difficult years after September 11. As their friends deployed and one, tragically, was killed in action, Stacey felt the pain and worry that comes with war. Because Drew was finishing his studies to be an emergency medicine physician at the Uniformed Services University, he did not deploy right away, but when it was his time to leave, Stacey’s world changed.

It was “very hard to be on the sidelines and right into the Special Forces,” Stacey says, and describes feeling like she was “getting punched in the face by real life.” 

Luckily, Stacey was blessed with a supportive community near Fort Bragg. She didn’t need to explain her worries for her husband’s safety or the struggles of solo parenting because her neighbors were navigating deployment cycles alongside her. They were all committed to providing a sense of stability and normalcy for their children, and their resiliency and support for one another was transformative. Despite the stress and uncertainty of that season of life, Stacey describes those five years as some of the best of their career because of the “amazing military spouses who were there for all the highs and lows.” 

“We were all in it together. It was what you dream of in a military community and a circle of friends,” she says.

Those friendships showed Stacey the life-changing possibilities of community, and it gave her an example she has tried to emulate in all of the assignments that followed. 

Stacey and her friend Allison Swenson skydiving together to celebrate Stacey’s 40th birthday, 2016

Creating Community at a Small or Isolated Duty Station

Creating that invaluable community may seem easier said than done, especially when your duty station may initially seem boring or isolating. Stacey knows this challenge firsthand; her family spent two years living in Kwajalein, an island that is only ¾ of a mile wide and 3.5 miles long. There were no cars, no cell service, and certainly no Amazon Prime 2-day shipping.

There was one tiny grocery store, no restaurants, and definitely no Starbucks or Target. It would be easy to assume this was a hardship tour, but Stacey and her family fell in love with the strong sense of community and the seemingly endless list of things they could do. What the island lacked in size, it made up for with ingenuity and a communal desire to create spaces and opportunities for socialization, recreation, and creativity. 

“On a tiny island in the middle of the ocean, you understand pretty quickly that if you want something to happen, someone who lives there has to create it,” Stacey says. “You can spend your time wishing there were more opportunities, or you can help make one.”

Long-distance runners managed to organize marathons by doing a seemingly endless number of laps. Recreational activities from scuba diving to softball were organized, and people gathered for book clubs, dinners, and crafting groups. People’s willingness to create the spaces and activities they had been missing meant that the whole community thrived. The things that made Kwajalein feel like home were simple: people creating friendships over shared interests and opening their doors to their neighbors. 

“You have to be willing not only to join in, but to create something for other people to join,” she says. Whether that’s inviting your neighbors for a walk, bringing coffee to the playground, or hosting a casual craft night, there are so many ways to bring people together. You don’t need to create a formal organization to make community happen; you just need to create opportunities for people to feel welcomed. 

Stacey and her battle buddy Cat Miller on Kwajalein, 2025

How to Find Your People as a Military Spouse

While Stacey’s story has so many examples of transformative friendships, she’s experienced her own seasons of loneliness. Military life inevitably means starting over again and again and saying goodbye to your hard-earned support systems. It’s never easy to be the new face in the crowd or to have the courage to show up in an unfamiliar space time after time, and it can be tempting to rely solely on your pre-established friendships. However, military life carries unique challenges, so “you need someone to give you a hug, to sit next to you, to wipe your tears,” Stacey explains. Building friendships is the key to truly thriving wherever the military sends you, but those connections take time and effort to cultivate.

You can’t wait for someone to come find you,” Stacey says. “Sadly, Amazon doesn’t deliver friends to our house. We have to go out and find them.” 

The first step to finding friends, she explains, is finding where communities gather. Maybe there’s a walking club in your neighborhood or a book club run by your library. These may not be your favorite activities or even ones you’ve tried before; the key is understanding that people are also attending those events looking for new connections and community. 

The next step is crucial: show up again. And again. And again. Friendships don’t develop overnight and need time and effort to flourish. If you have a fulfilling conversation, follow up on it with a text or at the next gathering. Don’t leave things up to fate; if you enjoyed spending time with someone, invite them to meet with you again

“Making friends isn’t always easy, but the first steps don’t have to be complicated,” Stacey says. “Get outside your house. Introduce yourself. Show up. Offer to help. Be willing to invite someone before you know whether she’ll become your closest friend.” 

Why Military Spouses Need a Support System During Solo Parenting

Friendship has played a key role in helping Stacey to survive and thrive during difficult seasons of solo parenting. Between Drew’s Army and NASA assignments, Stacey navigated long stretches of solo parenting from her kids’ toddler years to their teenage years. One particularly difficult separation was her husband’s nine-month spaceflight, which ended in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

If you’re new to the stresses of TDYs, deployments, trainings, and the inevitably long and unpredictable days, Stacey believes there are two important things to remember. First, it’s important to reframe your expectations. 

“You are not carrying equal weight in parenting,” she explains. “If you’re resentful it’s not 50/50, you’ll always be resentful.” Your partner will not always be there for bedtime and pediatrician appointments and holidays and that distance is difficult. Having a community you can rely on when you’re feeling stretched thin is especially helpful to help you navigate through those seasons. Everyone can benefit from some extra encouragement and companionship and another set of hands to lighten the load. 

Second, Stacey believes trust and appreciation are essential. As the parent at home, you are making a million daily decisions to keep things running smoothly, and knowing your partner is confident in your abilities and appreciative of your work is a huge help. 

“The last thing I wanted from my husband while he was deployed, whether that was in Afghanistan or outer space, was a backseat parent,” she says with a laugh. “What helped was knowing he trusted me and appreciated what I was carrying at home.”

Homecomings, while joyous occasions, still require patience and support. After establishing new routines and enduring months of distance, families need time, space, and support to find their rhythm again. 

“It’s not all balloons and banners,” Stacey says. “Reintegration can be messy and awkward. It’s okay if it takes some time. Have grace with each other.” 

Having friends that understand and can support you through the unique challenges of these different seasons of life can help you to feel less alone. 

Stacey and COL (Ret) Catie Hague at NASA Mission Control while their husbands’ completed a space walk together, 2019

Turning Military Spouse Experience Into Encouragement for Others

Stacey published her first book, The Astronaut’s Wife: How Launching My Husband Into Outer Space Changed the Way I Live On Earth, in 2022. By diving into her life as a military spouse, she was able to share her wealth of experiences and lessons. In addition to sharing her wisdom and talents with the military community, she has also pledged her financial support. She is proud to give back 100 percent of her author proceeds to charities supporting military families. After receiving years of life-changing support from the military community, she is grateful that she can extend her thanks and support. 

Because of her commitment to supporting women in building their community and finding fulfilling friendships, she works as an executive leadership coach for The MomCo, a nonprofit serving mothers. Through her work with the organization, she has seen a common thread of loneliness across varying ages and stages of life. From young adults struggling to make connections after college to new mothers whose relationships have shifted to older mothers who are worried about their daughters’ isolation, Stacey has been asked time and time again how to feel less alone and more connected. 

These conversations have inspired her to partner with her friend and coworker, Andrea Fortenberry, to write a practical guide on how to make and keep friendships. The concept is that the “short bingeable chapters for the pickup line or pediatrician office” will help you to initiate friendships, deepen existing connections, and navigate changes along the way. Stacey describes the book as “super practical, relatable, and funny” and says that it will include questions to think about and steps to follow. 

While everyone benefits from being able to make and keep friends, military families especially need to hone their skills because of their frequent relocations 

Stacey and her MOPS/MomCo leadership team at MOMCON, 2013

What a Strong Military Spouse Community Really Looks Like

Stacey believes that the real measure of community is whether you can call someone when you need help. 

Do you have someone who can watch your kids during your dental appointment? When your car breaks down, do you have someone who could give you a ride? Do you have someone who can listen when your day has been overwhelming?  Similarly, are you able and willing to offer that same support in return? 

It takes time and effort to build those meaningful and lasting relationships. “They grow through ordinary invitations, repeated conversations, shared experiences, and the willingness to let someone know you need them,” Stacey says. 

The way Stacey builds community can be practiced by anyone, no matter where they live or what season of life they’re in. 

“You don’t have to know everyone, and you don’t have to have it all figured out,” she says. “Start by showing up. Invite someone to join you. Be willing to help create the community you’re hoping to find.” 

As a Navy wife and new mother myself, I thought moving overseas would mean weeks or months of loneliness. However, my conversation with Stacey inspired me to follow her simple steps for connection. Within just a couple of weeks, my calendar was filling with coffee dates, dinner invitations, playgroups, and Bible studies. I felt an emotional heaviness lift knowing I wasn’t alone. I had the security of being able to ask for help when I needed it, and I had space to share my frustrations on hard days. Having a community truly is life-changing, and making friends, while intimidating, is well worth the time and effort. 

Katie McDonald is a Navy wife, and she and her husband are currently stationed in Guam. After 5 years as an English teacher, Katie is currently working as a freelance writer and enjoys writing about books and travel. https://www.katiereads.com/

You can find Stacey on her website at https://www.staceymorgan2000.com/!

The post Military Spouse Spotlight: Stacey on Friendship, Community, and Life as an Astronaut’s Wife appeared first on Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life.

To Love a Soldier

To love a soldier means to stand by him or her as they put on the uniform and commit to serving our country.

To love a soldier means wiping the tears away and promising to love them no matter how many miles away they must go.

To love a soldier means not understanding why things take so long or why things change so much.

To love a soldier means finding others that love soldiers and making friendships that last a lifetime.

To love a soldier means loving a man or woman in uniform, wherever their career might take them.

To love a soldier means temporarily fulfilling the role of both mom and dad and being the default parent that your children know will always be with them.

To love a soldier means having to explain to your child why their daddy had to miss another birthday.

To love a soldier means being a part of history as a spouse that stood by while their loved one fought for freedom.

To love a soldier means we have something in common with others that have loved their service member through our country’s wars as well as peacetime.

To love a soldier means that we grow stronger as the years go by because we have dealt with realities others have not.

To love a soldier puts the words from our wedding, “in sickness and in health” front and center as we try to understand and help those coming home from war.

To love a soldier means being a military spouse, supporting our spouse and being part of an incredible group of men and women who are doing the same.

I love my soldier and the life we have created together. Through living overseas, multiple deployments and the twists and turns that this military journey has given us.

Whether you love a soldier or a service member of another branch, you know what this life is like. You know how hard this life can be, but you stand by them because you love them and that is the basis for getting through anything military life throws at you.

How long have you been a military spouse?

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I talk a lot about the military community. I have seen so much good come from people banding together to get through the hard stuff. Finding others who understand is extremely helpful. But…with the good comes the bad, and the ugly. 

The military community isn’t perfect. We have some flaws. We have some ugly parts. And like any community, as much as we try, they can sometimes take over your whole experience to the point where you just want to walk away. 

The good of the military community

The good of the military community includes walking alongside one another when you are hurt. It means planning a Thanksgiving dinner when all your spouses are deployed. It means stepping in and bringing another spouse groceries when she is sick on the couch. It means trading babysitting and letting people vent about the hard, and helping them come up with solutions to what seems impossible. 

The bad of the military community

The bad is having to leave the friends you have made that have felt like family, only to only ever like their Facebook posts in the future. The bad is feeling left out and not sure you can find a place. The bad is struggling to find new friends when you miss your old ones more than anything. 

And the ugly of the military community

The Facebook groups that poke fun at innocent questions from new military spouses. The hate for certain spouses based on whether they are married to and enlisted service member or officer. The misunderstandings that lead to a lack of grace and friendship. The loneliness some can feel because they can’t seem to find their people. 

The truth of the military community

The truth is that any community can have its share of the good, the bad, and the ugly. But as a military community, we have more at stake. We need one another in so many different ways. We can’t afford to be mean-spirited. We need to work past that.

As a community, we need to work together because with the world the way it is, with things heating up, we will need one another. And it starts with each of us. Extending that grace, treating others with respect, and striving to be the best version of ourselves.

The post The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Military Community appeared first on Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life.

So you hate your duty station. You have tried. You really have. But you can’t stand it. And you won’t be PCSing anytime soon. What should you do? How do you make peace with it? Can you?

Here are some ideas:

1) Cry it out

Okay, so you hate your duty station. Please take a moment, cry about it, get it all out, because you are going to need to pull it together to create a plan. You can’t stay in the crying stage, but use it as a motivator to help you figure something out.

Like it or not, the military is going to send you where it wants to, even if you hate it. It is a good idea to figure out ways to make even the worst duty station work for you.

2) Make a plan

Okay, you had a good cry. Now it is time to make a plan. Sit down and make a list.

Try to come up with positives about the area and your home. Perhaps it’s that you are only 15 minutes from an airport, so traveling is 110% easier than it was before, when you were two hours away from one. Maybe it’s the fact that your kids have already found a fun friend base, and even if you are still working on it for yourself, that is something to celebrate.

Think of the positives. I know that is not always going to be easy, but it is there. Now, make a list of what you dislike, and once you have done that, think of anything within your power that you can do to address those issues.

You won’t be able to fix everything. I can’t fix the traffic in the Fort Campbell area, and trust me when I say it is the worst. However, there are some things you can fix; sometimes, you just need to think about it for a while. There is something you can do to improve your time at your duty station. There really is.

3) Join some groups

Okay, one of the best ways to enjoy a duty station is to find your people. And I know what some of you are thinking. You have tried to find your people, but everyone here sucks.

The reality? There is not one duty station where everyone sucks. Okay? There just isn’t. People are people, and they come in all types. I am not saying there are not sucky situations. There are. However, in many cases, getting out there and meeting new people is likely to be beneficial.

So join some groups. Whatever type of thing you are into. Do you like to read? Join a book club. Do you want to hike? Joining a hiking club. Have little kids? Join MOPS or another playgroup. Even going to the park regularly can help you meet new people.

4) Explore

Have you explored your area? Taken a day trip? Make a plan to explore some of the things in your area. It might surprise you.

Sometimes, we can become so caught up in the day-to-day that we miss what is around us. And there might be some fantastic things. Make a bucket list of fun things to explore. It should brighten your outlook.

5) Create a home

You might not be able to control the city you are in, or the way the duty station is, but you can focus on your actual home. Whether it is a condo, apartment, a house, or military housing, make it yours as much as you can. Having a comforting place to relax can go a long way.

Sometimes, you just hate your duty station, and it can feel like nothing can be done about it. During military life, you could end up somewhere you don’t want to be for many different reasons. Finding ways to make peace with where you are will go a long way. And you could be pleasantly surprised by what you find out.

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Sometimes, hearing inspiring military spouse deployment quotes can be just what you need to get through a difficult deployment day.

Over the years, military life has changed. From the way you PCS to how TRICARE works. But one thing that always seems true is that service members will be deployed.

While things are different from when my husband re-joined the military in 2005, military spouses are still saying goodbye to their loved ones for deployments and other times apart. Military spouses are still having to live without their partner for months at a time. Military spouses are still figuring out how to get through deployments.

Sometimes, hearing a good quote or truth about military life can be just what you need to get through a difficult deployment day.

Here are 18 military spouse deployment quotes that can do just that. I hope that they help you get through the next day, next week, or even month of your deployment. I hope that you can remember them during your more difficult days, and be inspired.

Deployments are not easy, and we could use all the help we military spouses can get to get through them.

Military Spouse Deployment Quotes to Get You Through the Next Deployment

The end of a deployment is a good time to try something new. A new hobby, a new habit, or a new way of doing something. Mix it up a bit, that will help the time go by a bit faster.

Sometimes you have to take your current struggle one day at a time. Other times you have to take it an hour at a time.

The best types of friends are those who let you vent about deployments, bring you boxes when you PCS, and help you laugh about life as a military spouse.

You will find that the first and last month of the deployment are the hardest. Do what you can to make it through the deployment days and homecoming will be your reward.

Whenever I feel like I can’t accomplish something, I think about how I solo parented three children, for nine months, and only lost my mind, 55.5 times.

Military spouses are strong not because we are made of something else. We are strong because we have to be. Because history wanted us to fill this role and we decided we could do it.

We wait, we love, we hope, we pray…until they are back in our arms again.

Take your deployment one week at a time…one day at a time…one hour at a time.

You might go a few weeks feeling like you got this and then hit a period of time when you feel like you can’t. The important thing is to “just keep swimming.”

Don’t base the status of your life on a bad deployment day. Those days come and then they go. They do not last forever!

When time stands still, think of something to focus on. Go for a walk, dive into a book, or call a friend. You got this!!!

Use a deployment for a time to explore. Get out and do something you and your kids have never done before. Don’t be afraid to make memories. Don’t be afraid to have fun just because one parent is away.

Solo parenting got you down? Pick your cure: 1) A tub of ice cream, 2) a glass of wine, 3) a binge-worthy Netflix show, 4) all of the thee above x 2.

Not all military children handle a deployment in the same way. You know your child, do what is best for them.

The pre-deployment period is going to be stressful…make time for one another, be understanding, and try not to worry too much about the future.

Roses are red, violets are blue, deployments suck, that much is true.

Don’t ever think you have to be the “perfect” military spouse. Be you. Life is easier that way.

If you have just started a deployment and feel a bit lost, remember you are not the only one going through this. So many other military spouses have done the same. Take these military spouse deployment quotes to help you through.

What helps you the most when you are going through a deployment?

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What works for you can depend on your budget, commute, family size, pets, schools, how much space you want, and even the duty station itself. You might love living on post at one installation and decide off post makes much more sense at the next.

If you’re weighing your options, here are 30 reasons you might prefer living off-post at your next duty station.

And, before you decide, make sure you also read 30 Reasons Why You Should Live On Post so you can compare both sides.

Space and Privacy When Living On Post

All military, all the time

If you live on post, your life could end up being all military, all the time. Your spouse will be very close to work, and you might not get a break from the military like you would if you lived off post.

Small yards or none at all

Some on-post housing has tiny yards. Some have none at all. This is not ideal for small kids or dogs who want to run. If you want land, on-post is not going to be for you.

Have to share a wall

If you hate sharing a wall, your on-post choices could be very limited. A lot of on-post housing shares a wall.

If you don’t have kids, could be stuck in a small space

If you don’t have children, you might not be able to get more than a two bedroom apartment. This can be frustrating especially if your spouse is higher ranking. If you go off post, you can take your BAH and find something that works much better for your lifestyle.

Loud neighbors

If it isn’t the dogs, it could be the neighbors themselves. From parties on a Friday night to screaming matches, if you want quiet, look elsewhere.

Privacy issues

If you are a private family, being off post is going to be a better option for you. You can separate military life from home life a little more and create some space between you and the military post.

No country living for you

If you want to live out in the country, you probably are not going to find that on post. It’s pretty much city living.

Military Housing Availability, Costs, and Maintenance

You may have to deal with a housing waitlist

On-post housing isn’t always available when you arrive. Depending on your installation, family size, rank, and the type of home you need, you may have to wait. If you’re going to rent off-post while waiting anyway, you might decide you’d rather settle into one home and stay there.

You might prefer having more control over how you use your BAH

In some places, you give all your BAH and don’t feel like you are getting the best use out of it. Depending on your duty station and housing options, you may decide you’d rather use your BAH toward a home off post that better fits your family’s priorities.

You may not have as much control over maintenance

In military housing, you generally have to work through the housing management company’s maintenance process. Experiences vary by installation and housing provider, so it’s worth asking current residents what response times and maintenance have been like.

Lack of parking

Not having enough parking can be a pain. You want enough spaces for your friends and both of your vehicles, but that might not be possible.

Housing condition concerns can affect your decision

There have been quite a few cases about military housing issues, from putting people in run-down homes to dealing with mold and getting sick.

Want a bigger house

A lot of military housing is on the smaller side. If you want more space, you are going to have to go off post.

Rules and Restrictions That Come With On-Post Housing

Garden restrictions

If you love to garden, there will be restrictions on your post about what you can do. If you want more freedom, off post is the way to go.

Rules about home businesses

Have a home business? Make sure you follow the rules and regulations of having one on post.

Pet restrictions

You might have four dogs, but on-post housing will not allow that. Each military installation has their own rules. Make sure you double check what you will be dealing with.

Visitors

If you have people come and visit, they will need to be approved to go in. If they are coming without you, they will need to get a visitor’s pass. A lot of hassle.

Getting in trouble for little things

Living on post means following their rules. Rules about this, rules about that. And if you don’t follow them, you could get in trouble.

How Living On Post Can Affect Your Daily Routine

Farther away from off-post places

If you work off post, living on post can be a pain. You might want to find a place close to where you like to go.

Annoying dogs

Every neighborhood has annoying dogs, but with on post living, you are much closer together. This means you are going to hear more from these dogs than you would otherwise.

Theft still happens on post

More people means more things can get stolen. From bikes to strollers, nothing is really safe. It’s a shame you can’t even trust your on-post neighbors. But it can be an issue.

Illusion of safety

We all feel safer on post, but should we? Does feeling this way mean that we leave ourselves open to more issues? Always lock your doors, no matter where you live. And always be aware.

Schools and Family Life Can Influence Your Housing Decision

Living off post may give you different school options

Some people love military schools; others do not. If you are on post, your kids will most likely need to go to those schools, so do some research about the local areas to find out what is best.

You may prefer a different part of town

Let’s face it, the area right outside of a military installation isn’t always the best. From bars to bail bonds, not your idea of a nice family atmosphere. Living off post lets you compare neighborhoods based on commute, schools, shopping, activities, walkability, lot size, or whatever matters most to your family.

Not as involved in the local community

When you live off post, you can get involved in your local community. From the schools to getting out and about in your neighborhood. While you can find good community on post as well, you have to decide where you want to be.

Neighborhood density might not work for your family

Some on-post neighborhoods have homes, playgrounds, sidewalks, and shared spaces packed fairly closely together. Some families love that community feel; others prefer more space between themselves and their neighbors.

Coming home late at night

If you come home late at night, you could run into issues. For one thing, the gate right by your house could be closed. You will have to drive around the rest of the post to get home.

Don’t have to leave post

When you live on post, you really don’t have to leave post, but that isn’t always a good thing. Get out there and explore. Even if you do call your military installation home.

The drama

The more people around, the bigger the chance for drama. And military housing can bring a lot of it. Stay away from the drama, and you will probably be okay, but that can be hard when you are surrounded by it.

No space

When you are on post, you can feel a bit claustrophobic at times. There will always be people around, which can be difficult to get used to.

Should You Live On Post or Off Post?

Choose the housing option that works for your own military family!

There isn’t one right answer when deciding whether to live on-post or off-post. What worked at your last duty station might not work at the next one, either. Compare the housing, commute, schools, community, costs, and lifestyle at each new installation and choose what makes the most sense for your family right now.

And remember, you can always make a different choice at the next duty station.

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A tour in Japan is a gift, but the base can start to feel small pretty fast. And if you can’t read the signs yet, it’s easy to talk yourself out of going far. What if we get lost? What if nobody speaks English? What if the kids melt down an hour from home?

Here’s the good news after years of doing this with my own kids: Japan is one of the easiest places in the world to explore with little ones. It’s safe, it’s clean, the trains run on time, and the big family spots almost always have English maps and staff who will help you figure it out. You do not need the language to have a great day. You just need a couple of places worth the drive.

So here are some tested favorites, sorted by where you’re likely stationed. Every one of these is outdoors, easy with young kids, and won’t leave you stranded in a wall of kanji.

Family-Friendly Things to Do Near Yokota Air Base

Showa Kinen Park is right next door in Tachikawa, and it’s the one I send everyone to first. It’s enormous, with huge playgrounds, wide cycling paths you can rent bikes for, splash areas in summer, and flower fields that change with the season. English maps at the gate, easy bathrooms, room for the kids to run until they’re done. You can spend a whole day and not see all of it.

When you’re ready for a little adventure, Mount Takao is about half an hour out. A cable car carries you most of the way up, the main trail is short and stroller-tough-but-doable, and there’s a small monkey park near the top. The main route has English signs, so it’s a safe first hike for a family that’s still finding its feet here.

Family-Friendly Things to Do Near Camp Zama and NAF Atsugi

Kodomo no Kuni, which means “Children’s Land,” is a giant outdoor park built for exactly this. Wide open green space, animals to meet, ride-on toys, and enough room that everyone gets their wiggles out. It sits close to both bases and makes for an easy, low-stress day.

Closer in, Atsugi Kodomo no Mori Park is smaller and right there by Atsugi. It’s a good pick for an afternoon when you don’t have a whole day but the kids need to get outside.

Family-Friendly Things to Do Near Yokosuka Naval Base

Nagai Uminote Park Soleil Hill is already a favorite with military families, and it earns it. You get farm animals, seasonal flower fields, a big playground, and the ocean right there, all in one spot. There are harvest activities depending on the season, and they’ve been adding new attractions lately. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it.

A Family Day Trip Worth the Drive: Mother Farm

If you have a free Saturday, drive to Mother Farm in Chiba. It’s a hillside farm with sheep shows, cows and alpacas, fruit and vegetable picking by season, and big open views of the bay. It’s a full day, and the kind of place kids talk about for weeks afterward. If you’re ever out near Narita instead, Narita Yume Bokujo is a similar dairy-farm day with animals and homemade ice cream.

Family-Friendly Things to Do Near Military Bases in Okinawa

The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is the anchor. The main tank with the whale sharks is genuinely one of the best you’ll see anywhere, and it’s worth the trip north on its own.

When you want to be outside, Bios no Oka is a subtropical nature park with lake boats, water buffalo carts, and easy trails that little kids can handle. Neo Park Okinawa is a walk-through bird park where the animals come right up to you. Both are a nice change of pace from the beach.

Things to Do With Kids Near MCAS Iwakuni and Sasebo

There’s a good outing near every base here. Out of Iwakuni, the Kintaikyo Bridge and a day trip to Miyajima are both easy wins. Out of Sasebo, Huis Ten Bosch and the Kujukushima islands will fill a weekend. You are never as far from something great as it feels on a slow Sunday on post.

Tips for Exploring Japan With Kids

First, most of these places have parking and are easiest by car, which suits base life just fine. Second, go on a weekday if your schedule allows. It’s calmer, it’s cheaper, and you’ll have the run of the place.

The hardest part really is just deciding to go. Once you’ve done one of these, the next one feels easy, and before long you’re the family that actually gets off base.

Kelly Farmer runs Japan for Kids (japanforkids.jp), a curated guide to the family places in Japan actually worth the trip: aquariums, mega parks, farms, factory tours, and the odd only-in-Japan experience. He lives in Japan with his family and spends most weekends testing spots with his own kids. Find something to do near you at japanforkids.jp.

The post A Military Spouse Guide to Family-Friendly Things to Do Near Military Bases in Japan appeared first on Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life.

As a lifelong Chicagoan, I never imagined myself living in a place like Sierra Vista, Arizona. Home to Fort Huachuca, and now me, it was discovering a local run club that made my first permanent change of station (PCS) as a new Army spouse easier. 

Having grown up in Chicago and gone to college in the suburbs, I’ve never had to “relearn” how to make friends. During our dating and engagement, my now-husband was stationed in Europe. Those long visits were filled with skiing in the Alps, visiting European cities, and spending countless weekends exploring. It was more of an extended honeymoon than a dose of real military life.

My First PCS Was Nothing Like Military Life in Europe

After our wedding, the real dose finally came with my first PCS. Permanently going from a city of millions to a town of less than 45,000 was intimidating. As this was my first rodeo as a military spouse, I knew I had to put myself out there. The advice from seasoned spouses I was continually given was “just show up.” While I attended some events on Fort Huachuca, it was a priority for me to find a community off-post that wasn’t necessarily directly tied to the military.

That’s where the Sierra Vista Run Club came in. I’ve been a runner for about two years, but I’d never dared to try running with other people. Something about the idea of people seeing how slow I am or having to try and have a conversation while panting up a hill was just plain intimidating to me. Yet the voices of so many of my military spouse pals kept coming back to me, saying: If you want community, you have to show up.

The Advice I Kept Hearing: Just Show Up

So I did. I went to my first run club. As I pulled into the parking lot of the local park, I felt a twinge of anxiety. I saw people clearly dressed for a run chatting, and I walked right on up to them. “Hi, I’m Cait. Are you guys the run club folks?” was my opening line. Instantly, all of my anxieties went away. The members of the club immediately welcomed me to the area and made me feel welcome. 

After that Thursday night, I kept showing up. Every week I made it my goal to talk to a new person, and even start conversations while we were running. It worked. Even a few weeks in, I found myself greeted by name at run club, cheered on by people who recognized me during our local 5K race, and getting those coveted kudos on my runs posted on Strava. In less than two months, I felt that I had found a community simply by showing up and doing something hard together every week.

While we’ve only been at Fort Huachuca a few months, I already got a phone call asking me to join a running relay team in the new year. I’ve found myself eating homemade tacos in the back of a local cycling shop owned by one of the run club members. I went from feeling like the only person I knew was my husband to having a laundry list of people I could call up to go on a run or simply hang out over some good food. 

Finding Community After a PCS Can Start With One Small Step

All of this happened because I showed up. If you’re like me and are making your first move to a town that supports a military installation, I’ll say the same thing I was told: Just show up. Ultimately, most people are searching for community and are more willing than you realize to open themselves up to new friends. Whether it’s running or something entirely different, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and keep showing up at events. You just might find your community. 

Cait Kontalis Kowal is a Chicago native, but currently resides in the greater Tucson, Arizona area. She’s a full-time freelance journalist and content writer. She holds a BA in Business Communications and an MA in Nonprofit Management. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cait-kowal-482bb7197/
Muckrack: https://muckrack.com/cait-kontalis

The post How a Local Run Club Helped Me Find Community After My First PCS appeared first on Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life.