Nice to know I am not alone in my sentiments....

This has been a very unusual assignment for us. We are stationed at Hill AFB in Utah, Phillip is here on a career broadening assignment. Here I feel like an outsider for many reasons.

While Phillip is assigned to a squadron, that changes every 8 months. Of the two he has been assigned to so far not a single one has reached out to get to know Mrs. Wheeler. A huge part of that is the dynamics of this base. There are more civilians working on base than military members. And lets face it, civilians just don't understand nor CARE about the dynamics of a military family and why it is important to take the WHOLE family under your wings. Phillip has a support network in those who are also in the career broadening program, but I just haven't felt that comradeship among the spouses. I do have to admit that I haven't done a very good job of reaching out either. The main reason is drama...I don't do drama and I don't seek it out. This is THE reason I don't touch the OSC with a twenty foot pole! Drama, who needs it? NOT I! Because of the dynamics of the base I really only use the clinic, commissary, and occassionally the CDC...just very different. Fortunately I have access to those, I have a dear friend whose husband just finished an assignment on a Navy Reserve base...now as an Air Force family that HAD to have been WEIRD!

The culture of the area is different. I am a member of the dominate church in the area, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To me the culture is that of family cohesiveness and intolerance to things that break up the family like alcohol, drugs, adultery, pornography, and things of the sort. I understand the culture, and like the family focused attitude. However, I can see how it can be overwhelming to others. Honestly, sometimes it is overwhelming and condescending to me! Sometimes I just have to scratch my head. How can we claim to be Christ's people in one breathe and judge others in another? In my opinion, it is not my business what my neighbor is doing as long as it isn't hurting me or my family. If my neighbor wants to do X, that is between them and Heavenly Father. I refuse to judge or stick my nose in it. I keep going back to the scripture(and I am sorry that I can't give the reference) that basically says we will be judged in the manner we have judged. And what about "Let ye who has not sinned cast the first stone"? I have no business casting stones. Unfortunately to outsiders it appears as if a lot of stones are being hurled at them if they don't tow the moral line. Just the perspective of a non-Utahan convert now living in Utah.

So, for me it has been the dynamics of the base and the program my husband is in and the culture of the area that has so far made this a very different assignment for us. I was just telling Phillip the other day that I don't feel like a military spouse here, I just feel like I am floating in time waiting for the next assignment. Thank goodness we have family in the area or I would be totally lost.

Yesterday I was invited to attend a meeting with the AFMC Commander's wife. For my other military wife buddies, this was the wife of a four star who has been in the service since before I was born! This lady was so nice and easy to converse with. Real down to earth. I think that is why some of the stuff that was said yesterday was "let out of the bag" so to speak. It was so comforting to know that I am not the only spouse that feels this way. And I learned where the Airman and Family Readiness Center (or whatever they are calling themselves these days) is located at.

It will be very interesting to see how things are the year Phillip is on his remote...thank goodness I have our family and our ward family to call on!