The only hands on emotional support they receive are from their transitional friends. Called transitional friends because they only last until the next base assignment (move), very few last a lifetime. The only financial support they receive is the minuscule paycheck of their spouse. Even in peacetime, this pay is hardly enough to get by on. But during a long-term separation, balancing a paycheck is a near impossible feat to accomplish. Many of these women have had to change and even quit their jobs due to the lack daycare that was once provided by their spouse. It is commonplace for military spouses to work different shifts than their spouses for an additional, much needed, income.
It is not an easy life for the military spouse, but during wartime the hardships they deal with on a daily basis are astronomical. Most of the military women can tell you that they didn't choose this lifestyle by choice. The only choice they made was falling in love with a soldier. Whether or not you believe in this war or any other, these spouses and our troops at war should be given the respect and support from our citizens. If for no other reason than they are our neighbors