Relationships - What Military Spouses Are Saying About NOSC

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NOSC What Military Spouses Are Saying About NOSC

A few members speak up and out

by MSM

IRIS BACHMANN, NOSC Advisor, on the subject of what is on the minds of military wives these days:

“I think the main concern now with military wives is the individual augmententation, or IA, situation. After working with COMPASS and going to several IA briefs and predeployment briefs, (I found out) that is really on their minds. It is an uncertain time in the Navy when everyone is being told that they will go as an IA sometime during this conflict. Just waiting for it to happen, and then for how long, is tough. Deployments are a way of life in the Navy. From the moment they leave, you are always thinking, will they get extended? The IA situation is a totally new part of the Navy culture. The Navy has worked hard to make the process of being sent as an IA smoother for the service member and the families. (But it is) still very hard on everyone.”

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KATHIE ZORTMAN, NOSC Honorary Advisor, on the challenges that are facing spouse clubs today:

As to (our challenges), I would add that we are still not reaching the young enlisted spouse who does not attend meetings, has no email and is isolated, often because her spouse chooses to have it that way. I see this way too often. As to deployments, of course, not knowing the length of deployments these days is a problem, as it was 30 years ago. We have come full circle at times, but I do think we have so much more communication now. Problems can be addressed in a prompt manner and you can hear from them (the active-duty deployed members) daily!

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ANN DURHAM, NOSC President, on how NOSC supports military wives:

NOSC of San Diego embraces tradition and at the same time celebrates the modern military spouse. Through dedication, the organization promotes friendship, cooperation and support among members of this and other Sea Service Spouses' Organizations and other service organizations. We support various charities each year, along with providing a number of scholarships. These scholarships are funded mainly by our gift boutiques, the Sand Dollar Collection and Sand Dollar Too. We support spouses during deployments by offering a variety of support groups, local area coffee groups and specialty interest groups, which for the most part meet monthly. We also publish an excellent monthly newsletter to provide information and support to spouses.

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DONALDA T. WENGEL, NOSC Junior Officers’ Spouse, about being a new NOSC member:

I personally was really intimidated by the fact that everyone is so seasoned. My husband and I are so new to the wonderful world of officer-hood! I think mentioning something to them (the new members) that they should put that fear aside and plunge right in (would be good). I have found that no matter how long we have been wives of the military, we all share the same trials and tribulations. NOSC makes me feel needed and appreciated. Most of all, I love the fact that I feel like one of the gals even though I am new. It seems as if I have been around for a while.

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User comments:

Cyndi	12/9/2007 11:14:58 PM
As a past Ombudsman I agree with Kathie Z. I have had many Sailors (enlisted and officer) who choose to keep their spouses and families in the dark. They don't tell them about anything including: predeployment meetings, how to reach the Omubdsman, changes in pay etc. It makes it very hard to help those who really need it. The privacy policy stands in the way a lot. The CO can request over and over that crew member submit the correct information to admin and to the Ombudsman, but the information is only as good as what the crew member gives.
cbwife	4/18/2008 10:00:32 PM
I am assuming in Army terms this is the FRG? Because I noted that Cyndi below me was an Ombudsman which is the support for the Navy... Well never the less, I have attended one FRG meeting, and the reasoning behind never wanting to attend again is the idea that it was pure gossip, and the women were unfortunately rude... I figure they have my e-mail as well as my phone number so if anything comes up they can contact me but other then that I don't feel that I need the gossip and rudeness of my fellow wives to be an issue in my day to day life.
Jwilkinson22	7/9/2008 10:06:39 PM
See my husband left and he went to a predeployment thing alone. I got the package they gave him and read everything in it. I'm a young spouse myself living in San Diego, and I haven't gone to any meetings cuz I feel like b/c I am so young that I'd be outta place. Plus my best friend who's an army wife and stationed in colorado tells me how bad the gossip and trash talking on base goes. We're both just not that kinda person to just sit there and talk crap about ppl. I know not everyone is like that but it's pretty close. I'm not hating on the organization I'm sure they do some great things for ppl.

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