What bugs you about Military Life?

[panicked]

Oct 23, 2012 19:28:47 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

Beans, in Korea, not only was the commissary closed on Monday, if it was an exercise week (which happened a lot, easily once a month), it and everything else was entirely shut down. A full fucking week, where no one could leave base (except the contractors and like 4 of us spouses). The weekend before an exercise was like black friday kind of madness.

In fairness, only SNCOs and officers had cooking facilities, but everyone still wanted to stock up on microwave meals and snacks and drinks to get them through the week.

That was the worst! Also, the lines on a normal Sunday and Tuesday were horrendous. We were at Casey for two years. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

I think one of my biggest pet peeves is that my husband has to be constantly available at all hours for his soldiers. It's really annoying to get a phone call at 2am asking what the uniform is for the next duty day. We've had to cancel so many plans or cut things short because soldiers got in trouble and needed help. We can't even plan anything "for sure" and that's annoying.

[Deleted]

Oct 23, 2012 14:32:33 GMT -5 basilosaurus said:

habs, the commissary used to be closed on Sunday (at least it was that way when we first got to Japan), so I think Monday is an improvement. Although, when they made the switch, they shortened Sunday hours, so it's actually open less than it used to, but at least people finally get to shop on 2 weekend days.

It's been closed on Monday at all the posts/bases I've ever lived on, been to. So weird lol

[kpol]

Oct 23, 2012 11:58:45 GMT -5 audette said:

Thanks for the reply! We're looking forward to it, assuming I'm approved to go. And, DH is thinking about extending past the 2 years, if we get there and decide we like it. Might line up well with when his next school should happen, too.

Did you process your visa after arriving? We've been told this is possible (and relatively normal), but it just feels so wacky to me. Every visa I've ever had before I had to apply for _before_ entering the country in question... How long did it take?

The A-3 Visa/SOFA stamp was simple to get. You have 90 days from arriving in country to get it. I got a packet from the Legal Office on post, filled it out and brought the necessary paperwork to the immigration office and had my stamp within 20 minutes. I know there is an office in Seoul and Osan, but I think there is another one somewhere else.

[audette]

Oct 23, 2012 21:00:42 GMT -5 kpol said:

Oct 23, 2012 11:58:45 GMT -5 audette said:

Thanks for the reply! We're looking forward to it, assuming I'm approved to go. And, DH is thinking about extending past the 2 years, if we get there and decide we like it. Might line up well with when his next school should happen, too.

Did you process your visa after arriving? We've been told this is possible (and relatively normal), but it just feels so wacky to me. Every visa I've ever had before I had to apply for _before_ entering the country in question... How long did it take?

The A-3 Visa/SOFA stamp was simple to get. You have 90 days from arriving in country to get it. I got a packet from the Legal Office on post, filled it out and brought the necessary paperwork to the immigration office and had my stamp within 20 minutes. I know there is an office in Seoul and Osan, but I think there is another one somewhere else.

Holy crap, is that awesome to hear! They're saying it could be 4+ weeks if we get it done here before leaving. I can see why it's recommended to do after arriving over there!

Thank you! You just made my night! Time to pour another glass of wine!

[delightcoconuts]

My biggest complaint is the lack of customer service on military bases. I think most services treat us as "well, be glad you even get this service" and act like we don't deserve it even if we are grateful for it.

I know this is especially true here on housing at Ramstein. Its hard to get base housing...its a long list that many people never move to the top of. There are so many complaints on there on how housing treats people but it doesn't seem to change.



Also, Finance. Need I saw more?

[shoeless]

Oct 13, 2012 8:56:16 GMT -5 meltoine said:

Oct 13, 2012 7:29:30 GMT -5 @booyah said:

Yep, exactly. The biggest complaints I hear around this base is the base bowling alley and theater closed, they are downsizing the library, they are making the airshow every other year instead of every year, one of the 14 playgrounds on base has a broken swing, etc. C'mon. Have you looked at the federal budget lately? These things have no part of the military's mission, and we live in Wash D.C., it's not like you can't find a bowling alley and theater 2 blocks away off base.

I completely agree with you. But a fun fact about DC - there are only two bowling alleys in the district - one in the white house and one at GW that is for students only.

Is Lucky Strike still open in Chinatown? That's where we have always bowled, but its been a while.

[doombunny]

In general? The lack of respect, and the anti-female culture.

I'm not talking about "bow down and worship the ground I walk on" respect, but basic "hey, sometimes military life can be difficult on the families/spouses and they might actually understand the military life" respect. Dare say something some Devil doesn't like to hear, and you're just the "fat, lazy, overly sensitive, whining, baby pumping, no job, no prospects, married your Marine just for the benefits, nobody spouse" who is open game to talk down to. Doesn't matter how true what was said, what matters is that a spouse dared say it when we should apparently remain silent.

The usual small problems aren't really that big a deal, commisary hours, bowling alley issues, late night calls from Marines in trouble... yeah, we get all that, but thats just the life of a Marine. But when I do pipe up about something important, I like to think I'll be taken seriously, or at least be given an intelligent response, rather than just get waved off and told my life and work have no value in comparison to my Marines. You'd think 14 years direct experience with the USMC, 3 combat deployments, and various other deployments would earn the spouse the right to speak up.

This is my first post and its long and negative. Sorry about that. There is plenty of good stuff about military life too, don't take me all wrong. >_<

[audette]

Oct 25, 2012 11:33:59 GMT -5 doombunny said:

This is my first post and its long and negative. Sorry about that. There is plenty of good stuff about military life too, don't take me all wrong. >_<

Welcome!

I vent a disproportionate amount on this board, because, well, folks here understand the stupidity the military sometimes throws your way. It's hard to explain it all to someone not connected to it, and without the context, some of the vents don't make much sense...