When Deployments Don’t Get Any Easier

I couldn’t believe he was leaving again. Just two weeks before we had thought that he wasn’t going to go. Now he was and it was time to say goodbye. This time, he was leaving very early in the morning.

We were all there, my three boys and I. We took some photos and said goodbye. Knowing that when he returned they would all be a little bigger. They would be doing new things and we would have made a lot of memories together without him.

I knew this deployment wasn’t going to be our longest deployment. This deployment was my 4th one and I should know what to do at this point. We had been through this before, for longer, with younger children.

My children were older now. They were 8, 6 and 2. Not old enough to be left on their own but old enough to not feel like I was surrounded by very small children. Two of them were in school. That would make things easier right?

The reality was, deployments never got easier for me.

They just didn’t. They got shorter and in some ways harder. I never went through an “easy” deployment, who has? But if I had to pick I would have chosen my 2nd deployment. Even though it was a year-long and only because of what I was able to do during that deployment that I was not able to do the others.

As I started our 4th deployment, I knew that this one might possibly break me. It would challenge me in ways that our 15-month deployment never did. Was this because it was our 4th deployment in 7 years? Was it because we thought he wasn’t going to deploy at one point?

Or maybe it because I knew he was ETSing soon after and this was going to be the last one? Was it because my son had been diagnosed with Asperger’s and that was a challenge for us even when my husband was home? Was it because I wasn’t close to anyone else going through the deployment? Was it because we lived off-post?

You can drive yourself crazy trying to figure out why some parts of military life are more difficult than others.

You would think that after that many deployments I would be “good” at going through them. I even heard comments such as, “Well at least you have been through a deployment before” and I would shake my head yes while inside I was screaming that I didn’t think I could go through another deployment again.

I somehow made my way to that deployment finish line but doing so was one of the most difficult things I ever had to do. The time he was gone felt so very long. I ended up having to see a counselor in order to get through the time my husband was deployed. I had to find extra help in order to make it through.

It’s been over five years since my husband got home from that deployment and I still can’t think about that time without a feeling of dread. That deployment showed me that deployments don’t get any easier the more you go through them.

If I have learned one thing about deployments during my time as a mililtary spouse, it is this, they are all different.

Even if they are the same length and to the same location. Your kids will be different ages, you will be surrounded by different people, and your own emotions might be in a different place each and every time. Some deployments will be easier than others but you might not know that going in.

The best thing to do is the plan for each deployment like this deployment is going to be your hardest. Equip yourself with tools to help you through the deployment. Find people who can support you and never assume the time he is away is going to be smooth sailing.

You might end up surprised at how you handle things. You never really know what is going to set you off and you never really know what will make the deployment easier until the countdown begins. All you can do is prepare as much as possible and know that everyone struggles with deployments, although in different ways.

Have you experienced a difficult deployment even though that deployment was not your first? What have you done to get through them?

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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.

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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

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I discovered The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion late last year and was hooked!

If you have never heard of this book series before, you are in for a treat.

What Is The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion About?

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower are the journals of a young woman living in London, England, in 1883. She has just moved back into her family home, Lapis Lazuli House, and has plans for a quiet yet studious life. However, things don’t go as planned due to her eccentric cousin Archibald, money issues, social obligations, and run-ins with the quirky people in her fictional neighborhood of St. Crispian’s.

So far, 8 volumes are out, with the 9th, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, coming out February 23, 2027! Volumes 1–8 are scheduled to be released as Penguin trade paperbacks on November 24, 2026. And the author has said she wants to write 25 of them!

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Emma M. Lion Is Such a Fun Character to Follow

When you hear that this series follows a young woman living in Victorian London, you might assume it will be serious or stuffy. But Emma is quite a woman and is always finding herself in different, interesting situations or predicaments. You fall right in love with her and want to hear more of her story. She is quite an interesting character!

The Journal Format Makes the Series Different

You also need to know that The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion are just that: written in journal form. Each one covers two months, and as the series goes on, they seem to get longer and longer. The first one is only 100 pages. This also means you might get 2-3 pages for one day and 2-3 lines the next. It really feels like you are reading someone’s journal!

Beth Brower has said she approached Emma’s story almost like a television series. Each volume has its own story arc, while larger storylines continue across multiple volumes. Pretty cool!

The Characters and Friendships Are Part of the Charm

There are quite a few recurring characters in these books, and occasionally I need a refresher on who is who. However, the author has put a guide in the front so you can get caught up before you start a new book. But these characters? They are a part of the charm of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion.

Who Should Read The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion?

Okay, I’ll be honest: I love these books, but I also know they won’t be for everyone. What I suggest is reading the first one. It is 100 pages. And if you don’t feel like you need the second one ASAP, it might not be the series for you.

Which Format Is Best: Print, Kindle, or Audiobook

So this is where I will say it depends. I am reading them in paper form, and I prefer that. I did start the audio for book two, but in the end I didn’t want to read them that way. Kindle is always an option too.

Why The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Belong on Your TBR

Whether you are getting ready for cozy season, want a new read from another century, or just curious what the deal is with these books? Add The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion to your TBR. You will be glad you did…I hope!

Who Writes The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion?

Beth Brower is the author of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. She has a degree in literary studies and has also written The Q, The Beast of Ten, and the Books of Imirillia trilogy: The Queen’s Gambit, The Ruby Prince, and The Wanderer’s Mark.

Where Can You Buy the Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion?

I like to buy mine on Amazon, but you can also find them at places like Books-A-Million and Barnes and Noble. I haven’t yet seen one at an actual bookstore myself, but it never hurts to ask when you visit your local independent bookstores. You can also buy them at Bookshop.org.

If looking for the audio, check Libby through your library or use your Spotify or Audible subscription.

They are also available through Kindle Unlimited at the moment. However, since Viking Penguin just acquired the rights, that could change.

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After so many years of running a military spouse blog and social media accounts, it still makes my heart hurt when I see people being unkind.

Whether it’s acting like military spouses don’t have the right to their own community or flat-out calling people names when they disagree, it’s heartbreaking to see.

Kindness always matters, and the military community needs it.

Military Life Is Complicated Enough

It goes without saying that military life is complicated. It can be really challenging sometimes, and we as a community sometimes need extra grace and patience as we work through the hard stuff.

Deployments, PCS moves, solo parenting, career changes, loneliness, and uncertainty can already leave military spouses feeling stretched thin. A supportive community can make those seasons easier, while an unkind one can make them feel even harder.

Having to deal with an unkind person along the way? To have to decide if an FRG meeting is worth it because of the drama? To be afraid to reach out to another military spouse? Totally not cool. We can do better.

Why Kindness Matters in the Military Spouse Community

The truth is, we don’t know what someone else is going through. We don’t know all of their struggles. We don’t know the pain or stress they might be going through. So kindness matters.

Kindness matters when you are answering a question on Facebook. Remember, anyone can see what you write on a public page. Even your grandma.

Kindness matters in your local community. In your neighborhood. In your daily lives.

Kindness makes the world a better place, and kindness helps the military community be the best version of itself.

Small Acts of Kindness Go a Long Way

Thankfully, I have seen a lot of kindness during my time as a military spouse. From other spouses being there for another spouse who has a child in the hospital to bringing food to another who is feeling a little overwhelmed with military life.

Kindness doesn’t even have to be big. It doesn’t mean you have to change the world for someone. It just means that you look at the other people in your community with grace and work to make it a better place.

Military Spouses Need Kindness Online, Too

With the state of the world today, kindness matters even more. Be an example. Be the better person. All of that matters.

How to Respond With Kindness on Social Media

Some people thrive on making people online feel bad. People they have never met in real life. And for what? Why tear others down when you could just easily build them up?

Don’t like what someone has to say? That’s okay; you don’t have to agree, but I know you know the right and wrong way to respond.

If you see someone struggling, lend a hand in any way you can. Maybe it is just a smile emoji; maybe it’s letting them know about a resource that worked for you. Maybe it’s simply letting them have their space and not commenting at all.

We are all adults, and there is no reason we should see so much nastiness in our military spouse Facebook or on social media accounts. We are all so much better than that.

We Can Build a Better Military Spouse Community

Being kind, whether online or in person, will make our communities, our countries, and our world a better place.

Do what you can, smile, and show kindness wherever you go. Our military spouse community doesn’t have to stay in the hater zone.

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Military families, depending on their time in the service, will go through many permanent changes of station, a PCS. While this is no doubt stressful and some record-keeping may fall by the wayside as a result, history has shown that it may be very beneficial for military families to keep good track of their moves.

This doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking, but it should become part of every PCS. Record the address, the date of service, the installations, where you will be working, and any renovations that may be done.

Housing and Environmental Concerns Can Show Up Later

One environmental concern military families may encounter in housing is mold. Mold exposure can cause respiratory irritation, aggravating asthma and other existing respiratory conditions. If someone develops persistent breathing problems years later, knowing where they lived could give a healthcare provider much-needed additional context. However, it doesn’t stop at just mold, nor does it stop at the housing itself.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has even helped process these concerns with the VA’s Military Environmental Exposure Assessments (MEEA), which document all of your concerns and potential exposure histories, including work stations. According to the VA, this exposure spans a wide range: chemicals, air pollutants, contaminated water, radiation, burn pits, chemical warfare agents, and other toxic substances. Knowing where you were stationed and for what period with 100% certainty is a massive help.

Lesser-Known Hazards in Your Home

Over the past few decades, military bases have been renovated, closed, or demolished due to health concerns associated with them. According to the Mesothelioma Veteran Center, asbestos in army barracks has been found as recently as 2022! Asbestos exposure can result in asbestosis as long as 50 years after contact. While you may change station to somewhere that is safe as far as we know now, it could, in a decade or more, be recognized as a potential risk.

Unfortunately, these concerns can extend to the family as well. A hazard like asbestos can lead to secondary exposure, as seen in cases like the now-defunct Fort McLellan. Asbestos would find its way onto the service member who would bring it home, potentially exposing their family to it as well.

It is crucial to note that not every military base that has a hazard will have affected everyone who was stationed there. This is part of the reason good record keeping is so crucial. What may be considered a benign condition may come under a lot more scrutiny if your PCS history shows a 5 year stay at an installation that is later suspected to have potentially exposed service members (or their families) to asbestos, lead, mold, or toxic chemicals.

PCS Record Keeping Does Not Have to Be Complicated

Just because bases have had exposure risks in the past doesn’t mean it will definitely happen again. Your average PCS will likely not expose you to such a harmful hazard, but because it has a possibility, keeping track of where you moved and for how long can be instrumental in supporting your family’s health long-term.

Military spouses often become the unofficial historian of their family’s life, keeping copies of orders, addresses, and school records. Keeping a good record of a problematic PCS doesn’t have to be much different. The goal isn’t to worry about every house or every base, it is simply to keep the history. Keep notes about significant housing or environmental problems alongside the address and date/duration of the PCS. If an unexplained health issue eventually arises, a healthcare provider could make use of that history.

While a PCS may only last a year or two, the record you keep could remain useful for a lifetime.

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