This is our story of Marine Corps recruiting duty. Maybe it will help a wife out there to avoid our mistakes or to prepare for her own tour. In any case, I wanted to know what it was like before I got here. Maybe another Marine Corps wife will find this information useful.
I must say I was not surprised when he got selected. I was glad that they were able to delay his school until after the birth of our second child. I have to admit, while I missed my husband while he was at school, it wasn't difficult. I still had my friends, my house, my life. But when we moved 1200 miles away it was a different story.
It's not always easy, nothing in life every is. But the Marine Corps has unique situations that family and friends are not familiar with. I understand. I know what it's like to be the woman behind the man; To move from place to place and uproot my family time and time again. I understand the fear, anxiety, and even sense of adventure as we move from state to state.
We have been a military family for 12 years. My oldest daughter has been to two elementary schools and numerous daycares. I've been all over the east coast and overseas. Every time we move, it's starting over again. But through all the moves, job searching, packing and unpacking, the hardest tour for me has been Marine Crops Recruiting Duty.
About Me
I joined the United States Marine Corps right out of High school. I grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania and was ready for adventure. I spent the next four years working as a disbursing clerk at the Finance Office. I went to boot camp in Parris Island, SC and then completed my training at Camp Lejeune, NC. After school I was stationed in Okinawa Japan. I loved being overseas and was sad to see my tour end.When my time ended in Okinawa, I was transferred back to Camp Lejeune. I worked at the Camp Lejeune Disbursing Office until the end of contract.
I decided not to reenlist so that I could take care of my daughter and be a Marine Corps Wife. Being a Marine wife has it's challenges. It has helped my marriage that I am prior enlisted. I understand duty assignments, working late, shift work, TAD, and deployments. Understanding the day to day tasks that he is responsible for has also helped me be supportive.
I hope that my story will help other Marine Corps spouses have a better understanding of the Marine Corps and Recruiting Duty in general.
To all the USMC wives on recruiting duty or not, Semper Fi and God Bless
- Christina
