It may be okay when you learn of it that your daughter is dating, and not one to be taken lightly. If you and your soldier are ready to enter a relationship, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into. If you are not ready to be an Army girlfriend and all that it entails, break it off. You’ll be doing a favor to the both of you.
You have to get used to being alone. Soldiers work long hours that they have absolutely no control over. They work weekends with little or no notice. Bases are often several towns or states away.
And your honey could be shipped out at any time, for months or years. If you are one of those girls who always need a guy on their arms, get used to disappointment. The time he has for you will be dictated by someone else entirely.
Learn to love a long distance relationship. It’s not a bad thing. You’ll have time for your friends, family, hobbies and work. Concentrate on these, and appreciate the time he has allowed to have with you.
If you are to live happily with your soldier husband or boyfriend, don’t ask for the details. Soldiers have stories. A lot of them are funny and interesting. A lot of them are dull. And a lot of them are neither.
Understand that these guys have to deal with things that the average person couldn’t imagine. Many of these are difficult and sometimes disturbing. The time he spends with you is so important to him since he is likely to use it to forget and temporarily get away from his tormenting life.
So, don’t bring it up. If he wants to talk about his life in the Army, be it the crazy times with the guys in his unit, the tedium of the everyday, or even the tougher times, let him be the one to broach the subject.
Sharing your man with the Army can be a challenge. In fact the toughest jobs in the Army belong to the women who date, or marry into it. But be proud of him, and make sure he knows it.
Don’t cheat on him. Soldiers place a lot of value on loyalty so if you are the type of girlfriend or wife who finds it hard to be faithful don’t get involved with a soldier. You actually don’t set out to love the soldier; when you love the man, and you’ll love the soldier in him.
