As a supportive military spouse, you are expected to become involved with your spouse's career by participating in base-related volunteer activities, joining clubs, attending meetings, and socializing.
At the same time, you may want or need to pursue a career that may limit your participation in traditional military spouse activities, especially the whole volunteering complex that has often defined the role of the military spouse.
Whatever your personal and professional situation, you have many opportunities to become involved in community activities both on and off base. Here's a quick checklist of possibilities:
SOURCE: Adapted from Trudy S. Woodring and Ronald L. Krannich, Ph.D., The Military Spouse's Map Through the Maze Pocket Guide (Manassas Park: Impact Publications), page 8. Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Copying strictly forbidden.
Join various clubs: Enroll in a class or educational program
Participate in local recreational community center programs
Take up a hobby involving others
Network with community groups Take up sports - tennis, golf, hiking, biking, scuba diving
Join a church or temple
Volunteer (shelter, museum, school, base activities)
Become a mentor (through school or church)
Take a Red Cross training classes for CPR (especially if your spouse is deployed)
Meet and network with your neighbors
Swap children one day a week or more with a friend