The PCG Chaplain’s Spouse has a unique position and lifestyle that can be both exciting and challenging. Entering into a sometimes completely unfamiliar military culture, which one is automatically expected to know how to survive, thrive, and be supportive can be daunting but at the same time, is an opportunity to grow and experience a time of adventure and discovery of the world and of oneself.

DOING LIFE TOGETHER TRADITIONALLY:

Traditionally, military Spouses were there to value, respect, and support their spouse by:

• Helping the chaplain develop, coordinate, and promote an effective ministry in fulfilling their mission.
• Being seen as a team and being an example to those around you- in your life, marriage, and child-rearing.
• Attending chapel with your Chaplain, and being motivated in chapel activities. The congregation desired to see you and know that you’re a part of the fellowship.

DOING LIFE AS CO-PROFESSIONALS:

• In modern times, Senior officers have been reluctant to encourage spouses to support their military partner’s career. Many Chaplains’ spouses live abroad, and are on-assignment in their own careers, and understand that they are not “helping to earn their Chaplain’s salary! (“They earn it themselves!!!”)
• And so, in a politically-correct atmosphere the ‘rules,’ mores, and expectations can remain unspoken-but-still-anticipated……. if you help your spouse it will not go unnoticed, unacknowledged, and unrewarded! – particularly if you are enhancing the Commanding Officers and their programs.

The chapel offers Spiritual Growth in an Ecumenical environment and provides activities that parallel those of a civilian parish. Though there are different faiths, there are many areas of agreement that can be shared without compromising your own understanding. The goals of the chapel are religious – not military. You don’t leave your church, but you find that it is a special ministry that opens many doors.

Considerations:

• Prepare to live far from family of origin. The good thing is that the military spouse community is very supportive; and you will find your own little ‘family’ wherever you go! You may choose to put your career on the back burner, but maintaining your Chaplain’s;
• You may let go of some of the control of your life, because the military is going to make some big changes/decisions for you;
• Parenting alone and feeling lonely. There is no one who understands the challenges of military life more than a fellow military spouse. Befriend as many as possible.