Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

Guest Post

Networking as an Entrepreneur in the Military Community

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Networking as an Entrepreneur in the Military Community

Networking as an Entrepreneur in the Military Community

By Jenny Hale, The Military Social Media Guru at jennyhale.com

As a military spouse or veteran entrepreneur, owning a business can offer a sense of independence, freedom, and personal self-accomplishment.

However, the key to success is making sales, providing value to the community you are serving, and marketing your business successfully. While some MilCommunity entrepreneurs have mastered this, others may not have (yet!).

For example, have you ever done any of the following online?

  1. Built a Facebook page and invited all your personal family and friends to “like” it?
  2. Started a Twitter account and scheduled out your tweets weeks in advance…and then just let it run because you have 1,000 other tasks to worry about?
  3. Created a LinkedIn page and connected with everyone you ever knew from high school and college?

If so, you’re missing the point of modern social media usage and the benefits it has for your military-focused business.

The key to modern marketing success as an entrepreneur is networking and building relationships. Below are three ways to network within the military community as an entrepreneur in order to find business success.

1. Use Community Groups

There are so many communities online based on your veteran status, marriage affiliation, service branch, duty station, industry, and more. Tap into these communities on Facebook. Facebook groups are a great way to meet other people interested in what you do for a living, as well as find future clients and customers. If you are a U.S. military spouse or veteran entrepreneur, you can join this group for marketing and social media support.

Twitter lists and Pinterest group boards are just a couple other examples of online groups that you can become involved in as an entrepreneur. These platforms allow you to connect and share content from others who enjoy the same passions you do.

There is also more to networking than just being online. The military community has the ability to find like-minded clients and audiences through spouse groups, children’s programs, and adult-excursions on installations.

There are also many civilian groups available, including MeetUp, local Chamber of Commerce organizations, local business groups, and regional/city entrepreneur events.

The more connected a military community entrepreneur is with their surrounding community, the higher the referral and customer base will become.

2. Use LinkedIn (Correctly!)

LinkedIn is such a powerful tool for those who write career-focused content and want to connect with like-minded professionals. LinkedIn is the networking powerhouse for all things career and business.

However, LinkedIn needs to be used as a way to expand your network, unlike Facebook. The goal of Facebook is to add your friends and family, post, “like” a few things you found amusing, and move on.

LinkedIn is completely different. It is an entirely professional platform to discuss a variety of topics that can include marketing, lead generation, entrepreneurship, careers, job skills, job searching, and more. For me, 50 to 75 percent of my leads and blog views come from LinkedIn. I have connected with a targeted military audience, stayed engaged in both the entrepreneurship and full-time career communities, reached out to everyone I have met, and worked to provide value to others.

As a result, LinkedIn has done wonders for me, but if you’re using it to gain connections, promote yourself, ignore inbox introductions, complain about your job, or start political debates, you’re on the wrong platform and doing nothing to help your brand on the site. Using LinkedIn can be a powerful boost in your business if you use it properly and are in the right niche.

3. Be Social

Social media for business is not about inviting your family and friends to like your content. In most cases, these individuals are NOT your target audience or ideal client. If you want to be successful on social media, you cannot just schedule your blog articles and walk away, post a link on your Facebook page, or add hashtags to an Instagram post and expect a successful venture.

Social media is about being social. This means engaging with your followers, asking questions, generating participation, and sharing content that encourages networking. If you’re using social media to just promote yourself and your business, you’re doing it wrong!

Running a business can be tough and marketing it can be even tougher. It can also be a giant time sucker if you are marketing to your community the wrong way and not reaching the right people. Instead, re-evaluate your marketing goals. Is the way you are currently marketing your business right for your audience? If your content is more about you than your target customer, focus on more relationship-building and networking strategies.

Jenny HaleJenny Hale is a marketing and social media consultant, coach, and teacher for military spouse and veteran business owners. Nicknamed “The Military Social Media Guru,” she uses her background working with military non-profits, corporate companies, the Army, and as an entrepreneur to help others struggling to meet their business dreams. With the goal of bridging the gap between the military community’s marketing efforts to civilians and vice versa, Jenny works to make an entrepreneur’s vision come to life. You can follow her on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

 

 

 

8 Simple Things That Motivate Military Members To Serve

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8 Simple Things That Motivate Military Members To Serve

I am happy to have a guest post from Heather from HappyFitNavyWife.com.

Traffic on the freeway moved at a fair pace. As we headed north to Pennsylvania from Virginia (hoping to avoid the DC traffic snarl) I remembered a picture I’d seen on Facebook earlier in the day.

The instant I saw it, I had immediately wondered if Adam had seen it and how he felt about it. Now that he was sitting next to me in the driver’s seat, I asked, “Did you see that pic of your dad and brother?”

“Yeah”

“Did it make you sad?”

“Yeah.”

His brother and dad stood proudly on the dock after a day of fishing of his uncle’s fishing boat. The both held up giant tuna fish they’d caught 40 miles off the Oregon coast. Adam is very close to his dad and brother, and I knew he would be bummed to miss out– again– on a special trip like this.

Sometimes the sacrifices of Navy life are hard to take. Maybe missing out on one or two things isn’t that bad, but over the years they add up.

This isn’t the first time Adam or I have missed out on family happenings:
Adam missed his brother’s wedding long ago (and apparently gave a very moving, tear-jerking video speech as best man).
My heart broke being on opposite coasts from my mom as she went through surgery & recovery for breast cancer.
Missing out is part of the deal when living on the other side of the continent.

But that fact doesn’t make it easier to take.

8 Simple Things That Motivate Military Members To Serve

8 Simple Things That Motivate Military Members To Serve

So why does any Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airmen or Coast Guardsmen make a commitment that rips them from family, sends them places they may or may not want to go, and controls their lives for a set period of time?

Every service member has his or her own motivation, and some may have many. Here are some motivations I’ve heard over the years, each one valid in its own right:

Pride in country- Love of the USA and all it stands for, from the American dream to all the freedoms we enjoy.
Chance to make a difference- Some people find the military as a way to do something meaningful and beyond themselves.
Retirement and providing for family- Though it can come at great cost, the benefits draw some to stay in 20+ years, knowing they can provide their families with healthcare and other privileges.
Job security- The unknown of civilian job security, lack of available jobs, and/or not knowing what they’d like to do for a next career impacts the decision to stay in for some.
See the world- Many love the idea of adventure, travel, and the unique opportunities and friendships the military can provide.
A response to world events- World events such as 9-11 can spur some to join. They want to be a part of resolving the conflict and bringing justice.
Vocational training- Some people join to get trained in their desired field, such as the medical field, law, and other needed skill-sets. They pay for their training with military service rather than cash.
Free education- Some join to cover basic college costs, whether via ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps), a service academy such as the Naval Academy or West Point, or through the G.I. Bill. As with the vocational training, they pay for the cost of education with their military service.

When I asked Adam if he was sad to miss the fishing trip, we were on our way to meet up with some long-time Navy friends. Adam met them while stationed on a ship in San Diego, and I met them both after we got married and moved to Rhode Island. We hung out a lot as couples while stationed in Newport, RI and kept up over the years.

We also had the chance to visit them in Hawaii twice was a treat– once it was just me and my then-5-month old during a deployment.

In Pennsylvania, we cherished our time catching up over BBQs, country farmers markets and a trip to the bakery.

Even though as a military family we miss out on many things, we have the joy meeting amazing people and having friends all over the map. Despite the sacrifices, we gain a lot. And I feel great pride watching my husband achieve his goals and gain fulfilment in what motivated him early on in his career.

Though we have those moments that we realize we’re missing out– again– I know if we had it all to do over again, he’d make the same decision to join… and I’d still marry him.

xoxo,
Heather

What did I miss? What motivates you and your service member?

Heather Goffrier is a Navy wife of 6 years and mom to a spunky 3-year-old girl. When not blogging over at HappyFitNavyWife.com, Heather enjoys Bible study with girlfriends, family adventures, and traveling as often as possible. She loves sharing about her experiences as a military wife & mom as well as her love of health. You can find Heather on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

Living in San Francisco, California

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Happy to have this guest post by The Coastie Couple on San Francisco, California. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Living in San Francisco, California

When we initially moved to the west coast, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew things would be different but I didn’t realize how different they would be. There was a bit of sticker and culture shock in the beginning, but I’ve learned to accept the differences and to appreciate the area for what it has to offer. And it has a lot to offer!

living in san francisco

When people talk about San Francisco, what they fail to mention is how big the city is and that there’s a huge surrounding area that’s worth seeing as well. My husband was stationed near San Francisco (you can see the skyline across the water) and we actually chose to live a little further inland in Concord because the prices are much cheaper and the area is less urban. If you’re looking to live in the area, I highly recommend looking beyond the city. If you’re coming to visit, I’d highly recommend staying in the city because everything will be easily accessible that way.

There is absolutely no way I could share everything about San Francisco in one post. In the two years that I’ve lived here, I haven’t even had the chance to see everything that there is to see (and we spend almost every weekend exploring something). That being said, I’m going to highlight a few of our favorite places in this post. I encourage you to do some research before you come out here – there’s so much to do!

Before you head into the city, I recommend learning how to use the BART system. These trains are similar to the subway system of New York which makes them convenient for getting around. They can be a bit tricky for newcomers though. I recommend utilizing your favorite map app to figure out which one will take you where.

living in san franciscoThe Piers:

Pier 39 is one of the most famous attractions for the area. This is the pier where the sea lions like to hang out. It’s also filled with restaurants and shopping. It’s a fun area to explore and you might even stumble across a cool street performer if you’re there on the right day! Pier 39 isn’t the only pier though. In fact, if you get off the BART at the Embarcadero station, you’ll have the opportunity to walk along the piers where you’ll find the ferry station, boats to Alcatraz, and the Exploratorium.

The Exploratorium is a neat attraction that I would highly recommend to visitors – young and old alike. If you have kids, it’s a great place to enjoy as a family. The hands on science exhibits and many things to tinker with will keep the family entertained for hours. Don’t have kids? Catch them on Thursday night for their adults only night! This was the option we chose since it’s just the two of us. It was a great time with cash bars and all of the same exhibits minus the kids.  My husband and I had a blast exploring the museum.

living in san francisco

Fisherman’s Wharf:

This is definitely a tourist attraction but I wouldn’t rule it out. I’m a strong believer that tourist attractions are worth checking out in addition to the cool local finds of an area. I do have to caution you though – you’ll need a bit of patience when you visit. The crowds can get a bit frustrating and overwhelming. On the up side, you’ll get a lot of steps on your step counter!

While you’re at the Fisherman’s Wharf, I recommend eating at Boudin Bakery, which is known for their sourdough bread (they even make it in all sorts of shapes!). They have a simple café on the first floor with bread bowls that are an awesome choice for lunch. They are relatively moderately priced as well (at least for California – remember that sticker shock I mentioned?).

The Wharf is also a great place for picking up cheap souvenirs for all of your family and friends. You can find postcards, tshirts, and keychains on every corner. If you’re a craft beer fan, I recommend checking out Jack’s Cannery at the end of the Wharf. Then, trek up the hill to Ghirardelli Square where you’ll find unique stores and free chocolate at the Ghirardelli Store. If it’s Christmas time, you’ll also find an impressive tree.

living in san franciscoUnion Square:

If you’re into shopping, this is the place for you. The streets are lined with shops and restaurants galore. It’s a very diverse shopping area with bargain stores mixed amongst the more high-end retail stores. It’s definitely a good chance to exercise your legs and pocketbook. If you come in the winter, you’ll notice a massive tree in the center near Macy’s along with an ice skating rink. This is definitely a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Golden Gate Park:

Remember when I mentioned that the city is huge? Golden Gate Park is a prime example of how big the city is. It’s a large park filled with attractions and hiking trails in the middle of the city. It is home to the California Academy of Sciences, which is a great place for kids and adults alike. It’s sort of a natural history museum meets science museum. It’s filled with lots of cool exhibits and they even rotate them out based on the time of year.

Golden Gate Park has a lot to offer beyond the museum. We spent an entire day simply exploring the trails and taking in all that it had to offer. In fact, if you walk all the way to the end of the park, you’ll find yourself staring at the Pacific Ocean. I also recommend checking out the Beach Chalet restaurant that’s located on the edge of the park. Be prepared to spend an entire day if you head down to this park.

I haven’t even touched on half of the attractions in the area and yet I’m out of time.  Feel free to follow us on our blog or social media where we’re often posting about our adventures and sharing snippets from our lives!


The Coastie CoupleThe Coastie Couple is a husband-wife duo that shares honest accounts of their adventures from coast to coast on their blog, The Coastie Couple. He’s in the military and she’s a teacher. They both love to travel, create, and experiment in the kitchen. These are the adventures they share on their blog.

Blog: http://www.thecoastiecouple.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/coastiecouple Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coastiecouple

 

Living at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas

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Happy to have this guest post by Jenah on being stationed at Ft. Leavenworth. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

My first trip to Ft. Leavenworth was an experience! I was engaged to a Soldier and this was my first duty station. We flew into the Kansas City airport and the images of fountains, shopping, and nightlife that google provided filled me with excitement. Then we got in a rental car and drove AWAY from all of it to the sleepy little town of Leavenworth, Kansas.

The City of Leavenworth

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

Leavenworth was the first city established in Kansas and sits on the border of the Kansas and Missouri. It has a charming historic downtown area with murals painted on the walls, repurposed old historic brick buildings, and lots of local shops and restaurants. Leavenworth has your typical Walmart, one off post gym, a few chain restaurants, and there are two Starbucks, but both are located inside another building with NO drive through access. First world and moms with young children problems, I know, but worth mentioning. Right outside of the gate sits a very large federal prison and a field where buffalo roam. Yes, just like the song.

Fort Leavenworth the Post

Fort Leavenworth is a very small and well maintained post that dates back to 1827. The housing ranges from brand new to older pre Civil War era historic housing. The post has modern amenities such as a golf course, 3 gyms, stables, an air field, and hosts numerous family activities and programs. Ft. Leavenworth is known as the intellectual hub of the Army, home to the Command and General Staff College, the School of Command Prep, The Army Management Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies. Most families come to attend a school for a year, maybe two and then leave. There is a constant turn over at this post to include international students from all around the world. In addition to all of these great schools, Ft.  Leavenworth also has an Army Disciplinary Barracks. Prisons everywhere!

Kansas City

Ft. Leavenworth is a stone’s throw from some amazing areas in both Kansas and Missouri. 25 minutes straight out of the main gate into Kansas puts you at a great outdoor shopping area known as Legends and boasts the local Target, outlet mall, and great restaurants.  Take a right out of post and go 25 minutes into Missouri and end up at Zona Rosa which is also filled with outdoor shopping, restaurants, and so many stores. Pass Zona Rosa and in another 20 minutes you will find yourself in beautiful down town Kansas City where you can experience the fountains, museums, WWI monument, Zoo, Royals games, Chiefs games, and so much shopping and good food. It’s overwhelming and amazing.

Local Food and Weather

Stationed at Ft. Leavenworth

BBQ is the local cuisine here and there are more places to try than you could count. Just make sure to stop by Jack Stacks and B.B.’s Lawn Side BBQ. The weather in Kansas is bipolar and will flash flood, sunshine, and tornado all on one day. The winters are mild with snow fall and the summers are hot, but not as humid as down south.

Overall Ft. Leavenworth is a great place to be stationed. Military families can experience the small town feel of the post and city of Leavenworth or venture out and explore the great surrounding cities. This area is very charming and truly one of the best kept secrets in the Army.

 

Jenah Wieczorek Social Media & Base AdvocateJenah Wieczorek, Social Media & Base Advocate

Forget What You’ve Heard, Fort Bragg REALLY is a Great Place To Live!

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Happy to have this guest post by Kia on Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

stationed at ft. bragg

I see it every time I get on one of the FB groups about Fort Bragg. A military spouse posts:
“Hey, everyone! We’re getting stationed at Fort Bragg and will be there in a few months. What’s it like there? What suggestions do you have on where to live?”

And then they come in droves. “Fort Bragg is THE WORST”. “Just stay out of Fayetteville!”. “I’m so glad we got away,” and on and on. Let me be clear on this…. Fort Bragg is not Mayberry, but it’s actually a great place to live.

My family has been stationed here twice, from 2006 to 2011, and we’ve been back since 2014. I will admit that I’m itching to leave, but it’s not at all for the reasons you might think. I love traveling and I would love to have an overseas tour, or go west. We’re from Tennessee and we’ve only been stationed at Bragg and Eglin. I’m ready to explore somewhere other than the Southeast United States. But if we have to be here, then I will enjoy it while we can.

So what does Fort Bragg have going for it? PLENTY!

* A great downtown atmosphere
* Plenty of parks
* Two PX’s and Two Commissaries
* Expansive food and cuisine options (downtown alone you’ll find American, Mediterranean, Italian and West African within a one block radius)
* The Crown Coliseum (many family friendly shows, like Disney on Ice and Entertainers, Music Artists and comedians come RIGHT to Fayetteville)
* Man shopping choices
* Love the beach? You can be there in 1.5 to 2 hours!
* Love the mountains? You can be there in a few hours!
* Raleigh, Charlotte, Charleston are a hop, skip and jump away
* Plenty of Historical elements to explore
* Farms! That means local produce, farm fresh eggs and honey! Most are open to the public for visitors and have great activities for different holidays. We also have a local Farmer’s Market twice a week.
* Fairs, festivals… I feel like there is ALWAYS something going on that I can take my children
* Jobs: The business community is very welcoming to hiring military spouses, there is a wide array of jobs AND an amazing group of military spouse entrepreneurs here that support each other.
* Diversity; there are so many cultures here! That in itself means that your children will have lots of learning opportunities

Of course, with an area as large as this, crime happens. I’m not at all going to downplay it, because I can’t. A lot of people choose to live just outside of Fayetteville in feeder towns like Hope Mills, Raeford and Spring Lake. But there are great neighborhoods IN Fayetteville, just as well. I love driving around Historical Haymount in Fayetteville just to look at the houses.

stationed at ft. bragg

My 3 Musketeers enjoying General Lee Park in the Haymount area of Fayetteville, NC.

In my opinion, one of the greatest things about Fort Bragg? CHOICES. Whether you are searching for public school, private school, churches, salons, grocery stores, neighborhoods or what to do with your family this weekend- you will have a CHOICE. That in itself is something that I’ve heard several other bases lack, and one that I appreciate.
Just like this area has a lot of options, the choices you make will determine your experience here. It’s easy to stay at home, or on post and feel like there’s nothing to do. When you approach Fort Bragg as a fun place to explore and connect with your community, embrace the location of being right between the beach and the mountains; I bet you’ll find yourself falling in love. This town is vibrant, soulful and proud to be called The All American City.

Have you been stationed at Fort Bragg? I’d love to hear about your favorite local things to do and what you’ve enjoyed about your time here.

 

Kia YoungKia Young is probably at this very moment driving one of her 3 kids to school, an appointment, sports or some other social activity. In between being a professional chauffeur that gets paid in kisses, hugs and good grades; she’s a military spouse and small business owner. Her main life goal is to raise happy, kind children who contribute greatly to society and the Kingdom of Heaven. And to publish a book that sells more than 100 copies. You can keep up with her thoughts on family, travel and food over at The Experience Life!
Facebook: The Experience Life: A Family Blog
Instagram: @the_experience_life 

So You Got Stationed Overseas: Why you NEED to make TRAVEL a part of your short PCS abroad

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Thanks so much to LeAnna Brown for this guest post!

stationed overseas

Living in Europe for the past five years as a contractor with the US Army, I have had what most people would call a “Dream Life.”  I’ve learned to budget travel and travel hack, so we get to travel extensively and all over the world, not just Europe!  I’ve danced on the tables at Oktoberfest, I’ve climbed all 1710 step of the Eiffel Tower and I’ve cliff dived into the blue ocean in Croatia, to name a few adventures.

I started shopping at the local grocery store the first week I moved to Germany and I’ve taken advantage of just about every 4-Day Weekend we’ve had to go somewhere new.  So, I’ve learned a thing or two about living life abroad while being stationed overseas.  

However, I found that there were SO many military members, spouses and families that were sitting on Post not ever leaving…and then complaining that life was horrible here in Europe and that they couldn’t wait to move back to the States!

This not only made me sad that they were not seeing the Europe that I was, but was also infuriating me that so many people only DREAM of getting to visit Europe and yet some people that got assigned here were dismissing that opportunity completely.

But then I started to find out WHY some of these people weren’t getting out and exploring

Some were too nervous about buying the wrong items at the store.

Others didn’t like not being able to communicate with the locals.

Many didn’t think that they could afford to travel or site see.

stationed overseas

About the Book: So You Got Stationed Overseas: Why you NEED to make TRAVEL a part of your short PCS abroad

So, I took ALL the experience of the 40 countries and 90 new cities I had seen over the past five years, and combined it with stories from local spouses that I collected through research to create the ultimate How- To book for anyone facing an upcoming PCS to Europe, or those already living there! 

I help the person stepping off the plane learn to get acquainted with life abroad by slowly dipping your toes into the local culture but giving exact tips and advice on how to do so, like navigating the local grocery stores.

I encourage all the nay-sayers with excuses to drop them out of the plane as you cross the ocean.  Therefore, I PROVE how to budget for travel, how to adjust for military schedules and more in order to get out and site-see. But not only do I prove this, I include a workbook with guides that help you do the same.

I then drop resource after resource for people living in Europe looking for ways to budget travel or even those wanting to LEARN how to plan a trip!

This isn’t your typical PCS checklist book and it isn’t your Rick Steves Travel Planning guide either.  It is a resource for you, the military member facing that overwhelming OCONUS PCS! 

And, as if helping active duty service members isn’t enough, 5% of the books proceeds also is donated towards the Wounded Warrior Project!

You Can Order The Book on Amazon HERE. 

Know someone who is PCSing to Europe? Share this invaluable resource with them so that they can take advantage of their time abroad!

Are you facing an OCONUS PCS?  What fears or questions do you have? Sometimes it is just a matter of getting them answered before you can have the time of your life!

stationed overseasAbout the Author

LeAnna Brown currently helps fellow travelers learn how to travel on a tight budget and Travel Hack through her blog EconomicalExcursionists.com.  After almost 40 countries down in four years and only a few thousand dollars spent a year on travel, they have learned to penny pinch their way to a bare minimalist lifestyle to help them see and appreciate the world. 

You can get daily dosages of travel tips and motivation by “Liking” Economical Excrusionists on Facebook or follow her on twitter @EconExcursion.

Other articles written by LeAnna that may interest you:

Travel Hacking for Beginners: http://www.economicalexcursionists.com/travel-hacking-beginners-guide/

15 Ways to Pinch Pennies for Future Travel: http://www.economicalexcursionists.com/save-for-a-vacation/#.VdB0ivmqqko

If you would like to learn more about traveling for FREE through Travel Hacking (using points for free flights and hotels), check out the Free E-Course offered by the Economical Excursionist. 

Living in Monterey, California

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Living in Monterey, California

When the orders for Monterey, Calif., arrive, you will rejoice because you get to live at one of the most picturesque places in the world. Then you will calculate the cost of living in Monterey and thank the military that you will only live there for a short period of time. Monterey’s cost of living is 68 percent higher than the U.S. average.

 

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is great for biking, walking and running in Monterey. The trail runs along the coast. Here is one view from the trail near Pacific Grove.

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail is great for biking, walking and running in Monterey. The trail runs along the coast. Here is one view from the trail near Pacific Grove.

 

Monterey was our No. 1 choice for Navy orders. Actually it was our dream location. We have been in Monterey for 11 months and are scheduled to move before the end of the year. This is our fifth duty station and it’s above and beyond my favorite location. I love the relaxed atmosphere of the community, the availability of fresh produce yearround and the Mediterranean climate. It’s the first place we’ve been stationed at where I feel I could live here for the rest of my life. I won’t discuss leaving Monterey. I’m completely in denial.

If you are stationed in Monterey, plan to spend time exploring Highway 1 at Big Sur. In the winter, you can spot whales in the ocean while photographing Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographic bridges along the Pacific Coast.

If you are stationed in Monterey, plan to spend time exploring Highway 1 at Big Sur. In the winter, you can spot whales in the ocean while photographing Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographic bridges along the Pacific Coast.

Service members who find themselves in Monterey are either students or instructors. More than 3,500 soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and DOD employers attend the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center at the Presidio of Monterey. Hundreds of service members arrive straight from boot camp to become proficient in a variety of languages ranging from French to Farsi.

Less than 4 miles away is the Naval Postgraduate School, a fully accredited research university operated by the Navy since 1954. At this university, military officers from the United States and 48 other countries earn master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. Notable graduates include Admiral Michael Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General Michael W. Hagee, 33rd Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Monterey, located nearly 120 miles south of San Francisco along the Pacific Coast, is a location where you want spend every day exploring locally owned shops, sipping wine at the tasting rooms in Carmel, tasting farm-to-table restaurants, or kayaking in the bay. But as a military spouse be prepared to make friends quickly because for either DLI or NPS students, the curriculum is intensive and your soldier will find himself studying more than 8 hours a day and on the weekends. We thought my husband would have tons of free time when we moved here. He doesn’t have weekend and evening duty, which is a blessing, but he does spend a lot more time in classroom then we expected.

In our time in Monterey, we've taken family photos among the redwoods, near Cannery Row and at the beach. This photo was taken at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

In our time in Monterey, we’ve taken family photos among the redwoods, near Cannery Row and at the beach. This photo was taken at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

The majority of military families live in military housing. There are two main options. Families live either at The Parks of Monterey Bay, a privatized housing area managed by Pinnacle or the Ord Military Community, which is located on the former Fort Ord. Both housing areas have indoor pools, childcare facilities and elementary schools. The commissary, exchange and gas station are located at the Ord Military Community.

If you are moving to Monterey, get your name on the waiting list for military housing as soon as you have orders. There is always a waiting list for housing in Monterey. The same can be said for daycare.

Is Monterey an ideal location? Not for everyone. The weather is foggy, damp and chilly. The beaches are breathtaking, but don’t expect to wear your bikini in Monterey. The average high temperature is 72 degrees in the summer months. Some military spouses miss the heat and humidity. Not this spouse. I got my abundance of heat when we were stationed in Yuma, Ariz., and Okinawa, Japan in the past. I love the clouds and don’t mind wearing a jacket in June.

Monterey is also a “buy local” city so if you love certain national chain restaurants, such as Olive Garden, you will complain about Monterey. If you buy all your craft supplies at Hobby Lobby, you will complain about Monterey. If you want drive-thru fast food, you will complain about Monterey.

If you like locally-owned cafes where they only accept cash, you will love Monterey. If you like buying locally-grown produce, you will have the option of a farmers market every day of the week. If you like the sounds of seals barking in the water to the loud music of nightclubs, you will enjoy your time in Monterey. If you don’t mind battling tourists for a view at the Monterey Bay Aquarium or a camping spot in Big Sur, you will love your time in Monterey.

I am a fan of Monterey and recommend it. I just hope I don’t go broke loving my life in Monterey.

Freelance writer Michelle Volkmann is a Navy spouse and mother to 2 Disney-obsessed daughters. She has worked for newspapers and magazines around the world. She survives on bacon and coffee and hates washing dishes. She is scheduled to move in December, but she doesn’t know where the Navy is sending her family. Please stop asking.

How Growing Up In The Military Prepared Me For Life As A Military Spouse

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This guest post is by Jen. You can find her at Injenious Life 🙂

How Growing Up In The Military Prepared Me For Life As A Military Spouse
I grew up as a military brat. My parents met in ROTC and my dad spent his career in the Army. By the time I was 21, I had moved 13 times in my life. Both my grandfathers served in the military, my brother served in the Army, so when it came time for me to make my life choices, the Army seemed like the most logical choice.

Growing up was exciting. I have driven (nearly) across the entire country. I’ve lived in Germany and we got to visit many countries while we were there. A trip to Spain corresponded with my birthday so I love to tell people, “oh, for my 8th birthday, I went to Spain.” I’ve only been skiing once but it was in Austria, on the Alps. So exotic.

13940671212714I spent my “formative” years in one place though, Kentucky. There, I learned how to drive but since it was a small place, I never drove on an interstate highway until I was 18 and a freshman in college. Now? I’m a pro. It seems so strange to think that it took me that long to drive on one.

I went to college and joined ROTC. Most of my friends were in ROTC too and about half of them were Army brats. Being a part of the Army community just made sense to us. Us, we wanted (still want) to serve our country so that played a part in our decision. But for me? Well, I’m not sure how to operate in a purely civilian world.

I met my husband at work in 2009. We fell in love hard and fast were married 8-ish months later. I came off active duty but still serve in the Reserves. Most of the time, I am an Army wife. I know how ID cards and DEERS works because it’s all I’ve ever known, I never knew how hard it must have been for my mom to have to wait for my dad to be available to take her to the office though. Having a power of attorney is like having the key to a city.

My husband was TDY for our first move together, and of course, it was OCONUS. I had to get the house packed, the cats packed, clean and clear housing, all on my own. Luckily, I knew what to expect. I had lived in base housing before. I know how to clean a house for inspection. I know what to look for when the movers are packing our stuff up. I know what “right looks like.” Luckily, my mom was able to come help with the kids and the drive to Florida and since she was also an Army wife, she helped keep me on track.

Growing up in an Army house has made being an Army wife easier. I understand the acronyms. I understand that just because the Army says we’re going somewhere or doing something, it doesn’t mean a thing until there are orders in our hands and even then, things could change. I feel more “in the know” about how things work on base even. My husband didn’t know you were supposed to tip baggers for like 2 years. I used to be a bagger so I totally understand why the baggers gave him crazy looks. For major purchase, I always check the PX first, my husband NEVER shopped there before we got married because he didn’t know what it was.

Army life is nothing like what you saw on Army Wives (when it was good) and I am grateful for that because it is so much better. Yes, being an Army family is tough but you know what? Sometimes, I see my civilian friends talk about their lives on Facebook and I think “how boring it must be to live in one place, doing the same thing forever?”