shopping

Well, of course it's almost time for school...up here school doesn't start until after labor day. So, usually we would do school shopping around this time. However, with orders coming up, we don't know when or where we are going. It would be silly to buy winter clothes if we're moving to Texas and silly to buy all kinds of capris and short sleeved shirts if we're moving to MA! So, we're on hold...

About my guy...when we met, and for years after, he was so soft-spoken and laid back. He's still pretty laid-back, but if someone screws up he lets 'em know it! I'm just so proud that he's grown into himself. I think the successes in recruiting has allowed him this personal and professional growth that we all see. Sure, he gets cocky about how good he is, but it's really all a front. He's uncomfortable getting accolades - but wants his recruiters to get as many as they can! So, back to my guy...

Here's an unassuming kid (he was 21) that married a rather strong personality in me. We've both grown, but he has really become confident, a great leader, outspoken, mature, and quite honestly a hard and smart worker. I admire his work ethic and how he can process problems and successes. I went to school for YEARS for a masters and doctorate degree and here he is, doing it all naturally without formal education in such matters as business, management, and leadership. Hmmph.

I've always known what a great person he is. I'm glad that recruiting has nurtured his abilities (and thank you so much for those who helped him along the way - I won't mention names, but I'm sure you know who you are!) so that the rather shy kid I met years and years ago can rise to the top and shine. Here's a kid who went through a lot before we met such as traumatic relationship issues, low EPR scores, in trouble a lot (hence the low EPR scores), but one supervisor - Teddy - helped him get on the right track which is where we met. I'm thankful to recruiting for bringing out the best in my husband -and for all the giggles I've been provided over the years! More to follow...

Enthusiastically,
Jackie

Another recruiting night

One thing recruiting has really taught me is that I need alone time. I get this now and then (always when he has training jobs). I got it last night, too. The squadron had a training and going away for a squadron leader so I knew better than to expect to hear anything from him. Don't get me wrong - I always look forward to hearing from him at least once a day when he's away. However, I've grown accustomed to him being gone and us being overlooked until it's too late to call home. Those recruiters know how to lose track of time!

This is another example of rolling with the punches. I talked to another spouse yesterday who asked if I had heard anything from the guys..."No". We both laughed and assumed they were getting drunk. We don't want to talk to them when they're like that anyway! I admire this friend of mine who has an interesting story to go with her life. She's overcome adversities that amaze me and thinks they are "no big deal". She was an Army kid and knows military life quite well. She's very young, but handles the stressors of recruiting lifestyle with humor and grace beyond her years. I hope her husband stays in recruiting (he's awesome!!!) so she can lead other spouses by example.

On another note, I'm so excited we turned our assignment list in. The first assignment out of school he got his second choice, then his 7th, this one was not even on the list and we hate the location (but love the guys that work up here). We are really hoping for our first choice so we can be with someone he's worked with before. At this point in recruiting, nearly everywhere holds people he knows/has worked with. However, this time this person he's wanting to work with again is amazing, not just good. Six of our 8 choices are immediate reporting, so we'll get orders and move in 30 days. That should be right around the annual, but we'll see. With our luck, we'll probably get our 8th choice...ugh. There weren't many available for him to choose from and half of those weren't desirable. Most people in recruiting know my husband, and the others have at least heard of him because (he's incredible, but...) he was the MSgt STEP promotee. Again, I'll have to get into how wonderful his professional growth is in a later post.

I'll try to get into the intricacies of recruiting without glossing over them later as well.

Enthusiastically,
Jackie

How we started

We started in recruiting in 2000 after I separated from the AF and my husband wanted to do something more for the Air Force and thought showing young people how the AF can change lives for the better was the way to go. I was proud of him, but skeptical because he wasn't much of a talker. You'll learn how THAT changed! His first year was tough...long hours, lots of training, trying to learn to be military members in a civilian world. His third year, when he should have won gold badge, was the hardest. He was hardly ever home and spent a lot of his spare weekday time with one of his flight-mates (with whom he is still close friends). On weekends, we were able to visit my parents for a night or two, depending upon his schedule.
Because my husband was recruited from overseas into recruiting, I did not get one of the "interviews" I've heard every other spouse get. I was never warned, told, nothing! I'm a roll-with-the-punches kind of person usually, so this part of my character really assisted me in acclimating to the recruiting environment. His first year I decided to stay at home with the kids, but it really drove me nuts so I went back to work as an addictions counselor. When he came up on his second assignment, I decided to stay home again and loved it! I went back to get a Master's degree, and ultimately I am now finishing up my PhD! His recruiting schedule has enough flexibility, and wonderful people in recruiting services, that we've been fortunate he can stay home when I do residencies or be here and there for this and that.
Starting on ten years of recruiting is hard...spouses, don't be discouraged. It gets better. Live it up at the annuals and lean on other spouses. For those of us who have not been around military installations during recruiting years, I know it's hard. However, this is when you spend time with the flight and get new friends and family. Look to those who have spent years in recruiting and seek their knowledge. Most of all - don't whine. We've been in recruiting long enough to see many, many whiny spouses and that doesn't help your wife/husband's stress level! Be supportive but take care of yourself, too. That first assignment, especially the first year or so, is rough. The next ones bring new, exciting challenges and you learn how to adapt to the recruiting lifestyle. We've loved it and through this blog, I hope to instill certainty that AFRS is a great career choice for the whole family. Take care and I'll write more later...