Military Poetry: Make It Yours

Few things move me like military poetry. For a military wife, those kind words seem to really tug at the heart strings. The authors seem to know what it really feels like to miss your sailor/soldier/marine/airman...ok, this is getting ridiculous. For obvious reasons, these poets can't include everyone's specific affinity with the military. So, I've found this poem for you, and I'd like you to make it your own and re-post it wherever you want...

Far Away

Oh my loved one, so far away
How I needed you at home today.
_____'s been crying for two weeks straight,
_______ at (insert age) went on his/her first date.

The ______ needs fixing, but money is tight,
Come next payday, it will be alright.
Angry words from the past have all been erased,
If only I could hold you, and feel your embrace.

Some days are better, but the nights seem so long,
In the corner of my mind, so many things can go wrong.
I must stand by my (insert spouses title), day after day,
And my prayers will be answered, and all is okay.

How I long for our love, to be together at last,
I'll wait for you patiently, for these dark days to pass.
When we meet again, our love will have grown,
With each deployment, we add strength that's unknown.

Oh my loved one, so far away,
How I long for you here today.

OPSEC

Since the holidays are coming up, I thought I'd take this time to talk about OPSEC, or 'operations security'. Basically, this concept teaches us one key fact: You never know who is listening. Yes, to some this may sound a bit paranoid, but let me be the first to tell you, they mean business. This is no laughing matter ladies. Ill-wishers all over the globe are just itching for you to post your sailor's deployment schedule on facebook, or to blog about your sailor's return home on such and such day. Be wary of posting comments like: "I can't believe my sailor is leaving for a 7 month deployment tomorrow morning!" This tells anyone with a bad mojo for the US Navy that there is a ship or submarine leaving tomorrow for a long deployment, and that ladies, is prime attack knowledge. Not good.

The main things you want to steer away from are:

• Posting any dates!
  
• Posting any locations, unless they have already left that specific location
• Posting any ship names corresponding with dates or locations

Now, there are still ways to post your feelings on the internet without giving away vital military info. Here are some examples of comments that are A-OK with the US navy...

• "I'm so excited to be seeing my sailor soon!" This lets everyone know that you haven't got much time left until you get to see your sailor, without giving away any specifics like dates, locations or even if you are flying out to see him somewhere without his ship coming home.
• "My sailor is gone and I'm missing him like crazy!" This says that your sailor is away, maybe on deployment, maybe just on duty, and that you miss him, which I'm sure you do! This way, no one knows when he left for sure, or for how long he'll be gone.

We want what's best for our loved ones, and keeping their deployment info on the down low is just another way we can do our part to keep them safe and out of harm's way!

Before He Leaves: Tip #3

If you are one of the lucky girls that get to be in your sailor's station before he leaves for a big deployment (4+ months), the information highway will be just few steps away. A few months before your sailor's deployment, there will be a pre-deployment brief near the base. This meeting is mostly for the spouses and family members being left to hold down the fort. Although, your sailor is required to attend, because the more you find out together, the better you will be able to plan. They will talk to you about OPSEC, preparations for his leaving, power of attorney, ways to cope whilst your loved ones are away and much more. One of the most vital things I learned about was monthly meetings that take place at a pre-designated location, to be decided by your local ombudsmen group. These meetings are for spouses and family members, and have daycare ready and on site to watch the kiddo's while you're being filled in on some much needed deployment updates. They'll let you in on possible docking dates, ship news, alerts, and even when your sailor is set to return home. Plus, it's just one more venue to meet other Navy wives who are going through just what you are! The more friends and support you have, the more the time will fly by, and you want to make this time as easy on yourself as you can!