Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life

Duty station Guest post

Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma

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Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma

Happy to have this guest post by Christina on being stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for blog posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Hi! My name is Christina. I am an Army wife, mother of two boys, homeschool teacher, and lifestyle blogger at It’s a Military Life. We have been stationed at Fort Sill in Oklahoma for over 4 years and it has been an amazing place to raise our children. Lots of family programs and support that we are actively involved in with our little ones. I am so excited to share all about Fort Sill and the surrounding area!

Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma

Tell me about the area

Fort Sill is in southwest Oklahoma, with Lawton as its neighboring community, just outside the gates. Personally, being a Chicago native, I very much enjoy the sunny and mild weather. Here and there you might get crazy storms-hail, intense rainstorms, and strong winds-but thankfully the mountains are great for deterring any possible threat of a tornado.

The weather allows for wonderful times at the beautiful LETRA lake and park facility located on post, with cabins, a family beach, picnic areas, and many different outdoor activities. Elmer Thomas Park is also a great place to enjoy a stroll around the pond, free splash park during the summer, and a park suitable for all ages! There are multiple dog parks on post and around Lawton. Some of our first friends we met were at the local parks. If you enjoy the outdoors, this is the place for you!

Mount Scott is a very popular destination, located within the Wichita Mountain Refuge. Here you will see bison, longhorns, and many cute little prairie dogs. Holy City is also tucked away in the mountainous areas; a perfect place to reflect and take in the historic landmark. Another great place to visit is the quaint town of Medicine Park-adorable shops, beautiful scenery, and only a short drive all within the area. 

Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma

I can go on and on about all the beauty in the surrounding areas, and all the outdoor opportunities on and off base. At first, Lawton/Fort Sill might seem like it is all restaurants, casinos, churches, and car washes (my first thought), but I had to stop comparing it to my hometown of lush green trees, lakes, and suburban living. It has a lot to offer, you just have to be willing to explore to find it!

What facilities are on base?

Fort Sill has a wonderful PX and Commissary, with lots of food and shopping options. There is a bowling alley, four recreational centers, an indoor pool, multiple outdoor swimming pools, splash parks, movie theater, countless parks, a youth center, a very active USO, multiple places of worship, and a great facility called the Patriot Spouses Club for parties and events.

Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma

What’s there to eat around there?

Fort Sill/Lawton has plenty of restaurants to choose from and even has a lot of food trucks for all those foodies out there. Our favorites are Ted’s Escondido, Burger Joint, Rib Crib, Firehouse Subs, Braum’s Ice Cream, and The Wright’s Diner. Medicine Park has some amazing restaurants, especially Old Plantation, which has great food that makes you feel like you are back home in your grandmother’s kitchen!

Families with Children

Lawton Public School District is the school district for the area, with the on post school included: Freedom Elementary. There are a few private schools in the area, as well. Fort Sill has wonderful options for part-time and full-time childcare, with availability at multiple facilities and in-home care which are all located on base. The Youth Center offers game and leisure activities, a technology lab, homework center, individual sports, group sports, and other fitness activities.

Fort Sill community is very active all year long, with lots of holiday celebrations and special events. Trunk-or-Treat is one of our favorites, along with LETRA Movie on the Beach, Dog Days of Summer Pool Party, ACS Play Group, and Exploring the Park events, Elmer Thomas Christmas Parade, NYE Library Story Time, and much much more!

Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma
Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma

If you’re up for the drive…

As I mentioned before, Medicine Park with the Wichita Mountains is within the area, which is great if you like the outdoors and a quaint small-town vibe with unique shops you can’t find anywhere else.

As a midwestern native, who grew up close to Chicago, I love only being an hour and a half from Oklahoma City! This city is thriving, with so many activities for singles, couples, and families. The zoo has so many animals and hosts several special events. Both Oklahoma City and Edmond, have lots of great museums and play places for your kids to explore. The Oklahoma State Fair is the biggest event of the year every September. Lots of delicious food and family fun!

Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma

Dallas is only 2.5 hours away, with endless activities and places to go, with fun rodeo shows nearby at Fort Worth and amazing shops at Grapevine. Tulsa is 3.5 hours east with beautiful shops, great museums, and a lovely botanical garden.  All worthwhile drives, with great communities full of experiences for everyone!

Our Life at Fort Sill in Oklahoma

All in all…

Fort Sill is a great place for family, and we really have enjoyed our time here. The weather is sunny and mild almost every day, giving us lots of chances to have some great outdoor memories with our kids and dog. The base itself is all about taking care of their soldiers and families, with countless activities to promote community and wellness. We are so grateful for all the experiences we have had so far in this great location.

Hi, I’m Christie! I’m an Army spouse, homeschool teacher, and lifestyle blogger at It’s a Military Life. IML is a lifestyle blog sharing lifestyle advice and resources for military spouses and families. The blog includes many different contributors sharing military experiences, home decor ideas, recipes, fitness, as well as resources for our military children. We are a diverse community of military spouses creating a milso network for both men and women because military spouses are stronger together!

Being Stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida

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Happy to have this guest post by Sarah on being stationed at Eglin Air Force Base. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for blog posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

So, you got orders to the beautiful Emerald Coast! The Florida Panhandle beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country. We were lucky to be stationed here for 5 years and had the very best time!

Okaloosa island pier. Look at that crystal-clear water!

Weather

The summer months are HOT around 85-95 degrees. Fall and spring are perfect around 60-70, and surprisingly it can get pretty cold in the winter months, so don’t donate your winter clothes just yet when you hear you’re pcsing to Florida! Winter temps can get down to 30-40 and we have even seen snow!  

Where to Live

There are many great options in the surrounding area, and something for everyone!  

The pin is where on base housing is located

On Base Housing – Newer houses have been built in the past few years. It’s a very convenient location, making for a quick drive to work, the beach on Okaloosa Island and Fort Walton Beach. The commissary and PX are a 10-minute drive. Be prepared, you will see bears in your backyard when living on base! And bugs, be prepared for all the bugs. 

Valparaiso – Also called Val-P. It’s a very small town and would be your quickest commute to Eglin.

Shalimar – Another quick 10-15 minute commute. This area has some nicer homes.

Niceville – About 20 minutes from base. Niceville is one of the most sought-after cities when living in this area, although you will be paying more for rent here.

Fort Walton Beach – This is a huge city and I’m sure there are some great areas to live, but definitely do your research if you’re thinking about living here. There is a high crime rate in FWB.

Destin – You will feel like you are on vacation when living here in Destin! It’s about 30-45 minutes to Eglin depending on traffic. In the summer months expect a lot of tourists!

Crestview – 45 minutes away from base but you can get much more house for your money if you choose to live up here away from the beach! *Note – I recommend living south of I-10 to avoid the terrible traffic during rush hour.

Things to Do

Destin is a tourist hot spot, which makes for a ton of fun family options! You have the beaches, boat rentals, dolphin cruises, and an endless list of fabulous waterfront restaurants. (My personal favorite is The Back Porch!) The HarborWalk has fireworks, live music, and parades all throughout the summer. 

Besides the touristy area of Destin, the Panhandle has plenty to do for families. There is the Gulf Breeze Zoo and Gulfarium. There are several different natural springs you can swim in, and many hiking trails and U-Pick farms up north in Baker or Jay. FWB is where to go for all of your shopping, and there are a lot of great playgrounds and splash pads for young kids.

This might not be a downside to you but for a Boston girl like me, one downside to the location is that Eglin is not near any major cities. I didn’t mind too much but I definitely felt a little secluded at times. We had to drive to Atlanta to catch a plane home if we didn’t want to spend $700 per round trip ticket out of VPS! Just something to think about if you’re used to the city life! 

Splash pad at Destin Commons

Road Trip Destinations  

One of my favorite things about new duty stations are all the fun places in driving range you are able to explore! Here are a few of our very favorite from Eglin.

Montgomery, Alabama – Drive through zoo

DISNEY WORLD!! – 6 Hours

Montgomery, AL – 3 Hours (Make sure to do the drive through safari zoo!)

New Orleans, LA  – 3.5 Hours

Tampa, FL – 6 Hours (Military families get to go to Busch Gardens for free once a year!)

Atlanta, GA – 5 Hours

Biloxi, MS – 2.5 Hours (Shrimp boat tours!)

Last Tidbits

Traffic – Heading up to Crestview all year round or down to Destin in the summer months during rush hour, you will hit major traffic.

7th Special Forces Group – If you are being stationed here for 7th Group, you will want to know that they work up near Crestview. Keep that in mind when choosing where to live!

Bippy’s By the Beach FWB – Our family’s secret ice cream spot. It will be your family’s favorite too.

Thank you so much Julie for letting me share my experiences about living at Eglin! If you’re heading this way, I hope you have the BEST time while stationed here. If you’ve already been stationed here, what was your favorite thing about Eglin?

Sarah is a work from home momma of two and one on the way. She is married to a green beret who just deployed 3 times in the past 3 years! Their next adventure is PCSing to 3 new states in 3 years! Head over to www.homeiswherethearmysendsus.com to see if she is currently just surviving or thriving during PCS life and to learn even more about Eglin Air Force Base. 

Life at Edwards AFB in California

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Life at Edwards AFB in California

Hey there, my name is Catherine. I’m an Air Force wife, mother to 2 beautiful daughters and content creator for my blog Love always, Catherine. We’ve been stationed at Edwards AFB in California for about 3 years now and have come to know life on and off base quite well.

Tell me about the area

Life at Edwards AFB in California

When I mention California, you may be thinking sunny beaches and tons of ocean right? Well, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Edwards AFB is located in the desert. Yes, the beautiful desert where the temperatures can shoot up as high as 108 degrees and drop as low as 30 degrees.

But don’t let the desert intimidate you! It’s a beautiful place with lots of land to roam, especially if you have pets! Speaking of pets, make sure to keep an eye on your fur babies when living on base. There are a ton of coyotes and sometimes bobcats around the area, and you don’t want them to come up missing.

Coyotes and bobcats what!?

Yes, you can see them on the side of the road going towards base or sometimes even walking down the street on base! There are a ton of wildlife in this area, but don’t fret, the base is really safe, and you just need to make sure to stay clear of them and they’ll do the same.

What facilities are on base?

Edwards has your usual commissary and base exchange to do all your shopping. They also have: a bowling alley that is great for family night or date night, a small water park called Oasis Aquatic next to the youth center, and a beautiful community center that has a gym, arcade games and a party room with built in kitchen (great for parties!).

What’s there to eat around there?

There’s a bunch of places to go to fill your tummy on base. For starters they have a Starbucks (I mean, who doesn’t like Starbucks!?), Burger King, Dominos, Subway, Acai Bowl, BBQ trucks, Popeyes, Taco Bell, Arby’s and the Cheesesteak shop to name a few.

There is also a golf course that has their own diner, and a place called Club Muroc where they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with a bar (you know, after a hard days work).

If you have kids

There are two schools on base, Branch Elementary and Desert Jr.-Sr. Highschool. They also have a CDC, School Annex and Youth Center for childcare. The Youth Center offers after school activities such as Soccer, Baseball, etc. If your family loves to watch movies, they have FREE movie showings at the base theater (so much fun for a family night).

As for the holidays, this base really knows how to come together and celebrate! I love celebrating Halloween and trick-or-treating at Edwards, it’s just like what you see in the movies- you and your kids will have so much fun! They also have cute neighborhood festivities for Christmas and other holidays as well

What about off base?

The surrounding areas are all about 15-20 minutes away from base, there’s no going around it! You have your cities: Rosamond, Lancaster, Palmdale and Tehachapi that are the closest in the area.

Rosamond – is a small city that will offer a quiet neighborhood, with small diners and a few stores such as Albertsons, Rite Aid and Dollar General.

Lancaster – Is known for their ‘downtown’ called The BLVD. It’s a cute little place packed with restaurants, a movie theater (with lazy-boy recliners!), and tons of live performances and festivals! It’s so much fun.

Palmdale – Aka ‘the big city’. Here’s where you’ll find the Antelope Valley mall, TONS of places to eat and a bunch of stores to shop.

Tehachapi – the city of 4 seasons! Yes, you’ll get your hot summers, warm spring, cool fall and snowy winter. They also offer cherry picking and have a ton of festivals to go to.

(The Modern Tea Room, a vegan/non-vegan café nestled in the heart of the BLVD in Lancaster)

If you’re up for the drive…

There are a ton of things to do outside of the Antelope Valley (this is what the surrounding area of Edwards is called). For starters, Disneyland is about 1hour and 45mins away from base, as well as Universal Studios and Warner Brothers Studios!

It’s so fun to head towards Los Angeles/Anaheim direction during summer break, a definite must do while you’re stationed here. If you like doing outdoor activities such as camping, snowboarding and fishing, you can go up north towards Big Bear where you can enjoy all those activities and more.

All in all…

Edwards AFB gives you the opportunity to experience the beautiful desert life, so make the most out of it while you’re here. Oh, and make sure you stop and take the time to soak in the beautiful sunsets that this place has to offer, it’s a breathtaking sight.



Hi I’m Catherine! I’m a military spouse, stay-at-home mom and content creator for my blog Love always, Catherine. I love sharing tips, advice and stories with friends, family and my readers. I believe that life is about having meaningful relationships, creating and sharing stories, living simply & keeping close the things that only bring you joy. I hope to see you on the blog and engage with you soon!

What You Need to Know About Being Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood

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What You Need to Know About Being Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood

Happy to have this guest post by Sierra on being stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for blog posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

What You Need to Know About Being Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood

I’ve seen it time and time again, spouses who received orders to Fort Leonard Wood FREAK OUT in the spouse forums. Then, the negative comments roll in. I mean, they really paint Fort Leonard Wood A.K.A Fort Lost in The Woods as the worst duty station ever!

“There is NOTHING to do there”

“You’re land locked in Middle America, it’s HORRIBLE”

“The Post Is So Small, You’ll HATE it”

So, in true Positive Patty Fashion, I am here to offer the unpopular opinion about Fort Leonard Wood and I am hoping to let the “New Spouse in Town” know that it’s not all bad after all. We lived in Fort Leonard Wood for 3 years and they were quite honestly the BEST 3 years of our lives!

Pros:

Fort Leonard Wood is one of the MOST family friendly duty stations.

One of the things that I loved so much about Fort Leonard Wood is how family oriented it was. Everyone knew each other from the top to the bottom of the COC. Organizational days were often and they always made sure to include family members in the fun day festivities. Most holidays you can count on a family oriented celebration (My Favorite is the 4th of July Concert and Firework show) but even on a regular basis, MWR did an amazing job with having events planned.  ACS was also amazing. When I was pregnant, they offered free parenting classes for 6 weeks that ended in an Army baby shower.

The post is small which means it is easy to find your way as a newbie. I have heard horror stories about the bigger bases like Fort Hood, Riley and Bragg but in less than a week, you’ll be able to navigate your way through post like a champ. It’s pretty simple North (Main) gate exits to St. Robert and West Gate exits to Waynesville. South and East gate are basically never used unless you live outside of them which is RARE.

Speaking of living arrangements, I never lived on post but I absolutely loved living in Waynesville. People who choose to live off post choose between 2 cities which are St. Robert and Waynesville. They should really be one city if you ask me but that’s beside the point. While St. Robert houses Walmart, chain restaurants like Ruby Tuesdays, Cracker Barrel and Starbucks; Waynesville is where all the charm is. In downtown Waynesville, you find more small town shops and eateries. Please be sure to take advantage of those!

By the way, the small- town restaurants and thrift shops absolutely make Fort Leonard Wood as enjoyable as it is. Indulge in them and you will not be disappointed. Some of my favorite restaurants in the area are: Mamma Mia (Greek Cuisine), Purn’s Thai Kitchen and Ichiban Japanese and Small cakes Cupcakery. If these options don’t cut it for you, Rolla is a short 20 min drive and they have tons of more familiar places to eat and shop.

One of the things I could not conclude the Pros without mentioning is how easy it is to advance your education as soldiers and as spouses. The Fort Leonard Wood area is saturated with college and certificate programs that are yellow ribbon or military friendly schools. I am twice a graduate from Drury University and I absolutely loved my experience. All the schools understand the military lifestyle and they are very accommodating when it comes to our everyday needs and schedules.

What You Need to Know About Being Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood

Cons:

I am a bit bias because Fort Leonard Wood was my favorite duty station thus far but like every duty station, it has its share of cons

The summer can be extremely hot while the winter can be an uncomfortable cold. While originally from the south I was expecting Missouri to be bone chilling cold, I was pleasantly surprised that it was not. The cold is just uncomfortable and you would prefer to stay indoors. The weather can also be tricky. It can be 36 degrees on Sunday and 77 by Wednesday, you just never know. Also, it tends to rain a lot in the winter and that makes the rain ridiculously icy.

Next is the wildlife. If you’re driving late at night or early in the morning you’ll come across a herd of deer. They are everywhere, both on and off post and unfortunately, they got my husband right before we PCSd. With no one to blame the damage on, we were stuck with the $500 deductible…YIKES! Also, in the summer the bugs can be kind of crazy. We have seen freakishly large spiders and I don’t do bugs well so you can imagine how that turned out!

The last con would be it’s distance from the city. Being a city girl I loved the change of pace but for some this is a real issue. Springfield is 1 ½ hours away, St Louis is 2 hours away, Branson is 2 hours away, Lake of the Ozarks is 1 hour away and Kansas City is 3+ Hours away. If you want to do some real city vacationing you’re going to have to travel for it but for us, it really made our experience in Missouri fun. Most of our fun stories are based on the day trips we took.

I know you’re tired of reading at this point but I really wanted to defend Fort Leonard Wood and give it credit where credit is due. Like any post, there will be good and bad but Military Life is absolutely what you make it. If you’re heading to Fort Leonard Wood and have any additional questions, please feel free to email me at SierraRedmond95@gmail.com.

Introduction:

Sierra RedmondSierra Redmond is the creator of The Daily Impressions Lifestyle Blog. On the blog they offer tips, tricks, stories and advice on the topics of Family life, Parenting, Travel and life in the Military. Sierra is a 22-year-old Army Wife and stay at home Blogger/Mompreneur. Catch her on her blog and social media:

https://www.thedailyimpressions.com/

Instagram : http://www.instagram.com/IamSierraRed

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheDailyImpressions

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/TheDailyImpressions

 

8 Things that Make Life at Fort Bragg Phenomenal

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8 Things that Make Life at Fort Bragg Phenomenal

8 Things that Make Life at Fort Bragg Phenomenal

Happy to have this guest post by Wendi on Ft. 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. 

Fort Bragg is not at all what I expected.  I am a North Carolina native and have heard many things about the Fayetteville area on the news, some of which, not so great.  I moved to Fort Bragg with an open but cautious mind, due to the mixed things people say about it here.

I was pleasantly surprised about several things relating to Fort Bragg and the surrounding area.  With the latest upgrades to the infrastructure and the connection of highway 295 & All American Highway, it’s easier to navigate around the area. Below are some of my favorite things about being stationed at Fort Bragg.

1-Support & Resources across Post

Due to Fort Bragg being one of the Army’s largest installations, there are a ton of resources and support groups located in this area.  Most nonprofit organizations that support military families always put Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a location to one of their events.  There are 14 gyms to choose from on post, Heart on a Mission Wellness Team that welcomes bringing your children and family to workouts around post, 2 commissaries, and Army Community Services (ACS) offers many classes and training programs to military families on all types of topics such as; marriage, career, parenting and more. Lastly, the U.S. Army Morale, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR) arrange some amazing family fun, entertainment, and activities throughout the year.

8 Things that Make Life at Fort Bragg Phenomenal2-Agriculture

Even if you don’t have a green thumb, but like fresh crops, they’re easy to find in the rural areas surrounding Fort Bragg.  In the summer, you can pick strawberries or blueberries in several locations.  If picking is not your forte, there are many vendors around the area that sell their crops too.

3-Beaches, Mountains, & City Escapes

Fort Bragg is located less than two hours from the Atlantic Ocean if you desire some coastal therapy. It is almost a four hour drive to the mountains or western part of NC for visiting the Biltmore House, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or Grandfather Mountain. If you drive a few more hours west, you can gamble at the Cherokee Casino. Lastly, Raleigh is only fifty minutes to an hour away. If you need the hustle and bustle of city life, check out Lafayette Village or North Hills.

8 Things that Make Life at Fort Bragg Phenomenal

4-Restaurants

There are some amazing restaurants around Fort Bragg. Downtown Fayetteville has an array of restaurants to please anyone’s taste buds. My favorites are Blue Moon Café, Sherefe’, Huske Hardware, TapHouse at Huske, and Rude Awakening Café for dessert and coffee.  If Italian is your favorite Sammio’s in Hope Mills is the best around the area.

5-Holistic Health

Fayetteville has a huge market for health and wellness. There are many gyms off post, yoga centers, running groups, spas, massage therapy, and a newly opened Wellness Center that includes flotation therapy to ease the mind, body, and spirit.

8 Things that Make Life at Fort Bragg Phenomenal

6-The Great Outdoors

Whether you walk around downtown Fayetteville and check out the unique shops and restaurants, or jog across the bridge on the Cape Fear Trail, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.  Raven Rock is popular for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and provides a beautiful backdrop for camping, or picnics. If stopping and smelling the flowers is more your cup of tea, you may want to check out the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. Aloha Safari Zoo is sure to please your entire family with hundreds of animals to visit. Lastly, for the adrenaline seekers, try zip lining at ZipQuest Waterfall and Treetop Adventure.

7-Indoor Recreation and Activities

During the colder months, you may want to try some indoor recreational activities around Fayetteville. Defy Fayetteville, Paraclete XP Indoor Skydiving, and Triangle Rock Club, are some of the most popular recreational activities located indoors. You can also check out the schedule of events for the Crowne Complex, which hosts concerts, shopping events, and many other family fun entertainment acts. If you like history, you will surely love the Airborne and Special Operations Museum.

8-Patriotism

Fort Bragg and the surrounding areas are extremely patriotic. No one is afraid to fly the American flag around here. I have watched this entire community come together and line the streets for soldiers killed in action, who are returning home. Although it is a very sad and somber sight, the patriotism and support during times of tragedy lifts the spirits of all military families. Each year, in March, the All American Marathon takes over the town and is one of the most patriotic races of all time. In May, All American Week showcases the talents of the entire 82nd Airborne Division. Veterans from near and far travel back to show their support and reminisce about their time in service.

Fort Bragg has something for everyone. Every duty station is what you make of it. If you get out and explore your surroundings, try to meet new people, and test out the activities in your area, you can find something that you enjoy and make new memories in the process.  My best advice to anyone coming to Fort Bragg soon is to give it a chance and form your own opinion about it here. You will be pleasantly surprised.

8 Things that Make Life at Fort Bragg PhenomenalWendi has spent the last nine years as an adult educator. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and will graduate this May with her Master of Arts in Instructional Technology. She is an Army wife, blogger, workshop presenter, and advisor to military spouses seeking career and education assistance. Wendi is extremely passionate about helping others by sharing her experiences, insight, resources, and inspirational stories on her blog Strength4Spouses.