When Riley very first enlisted in the Coast Guard, I was terrified. The military was very unfamiliar to me. Actually, unfamiliar is a complete understatement. I knew absolutely nothing about it, and initially I was completely against it. So, when we made the decision to join, and got the confirmation that is was the right thing to do, I immediately started my research. I hit the books, searched out any information I could online, went with Riley to see the recruiter whenever possible, and eventually stumbled across the blog of a young mom whose husband was just leaving for bootcamp. I followed her blog all through basic training and their first move. Her blog brought me so much comfort and helped me to see that the military doesn't have to be scary. It can be fun, and exciting, and a huge opportunity for growth.
So many people have asked what Riley does, what our every day life is like, and how I feel about our status as a military family. So this post is really just an explanation of our life as a family in the United States Coast Guard.
Riley spent eight weeks in Cape May, New Jersey for basic training. I was allowed to write as often as I liked, and wrote every day. We were told ahead of time that I probably wouldnt hear from Riley as often. I got my first letter during week four and recieved two more over the course of the remaining weeks. At week five I got a phone call with our station and after that Riley was able to call every other week or so to help steer me through the moving process.
After attending his graduation in Cape May, we returned home to say our final goodbyes and headed out to report at Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook.
Riley works at a "small boat" station, meaning he is a crew member on 25 and 47 foot boats that mainly focus on search and rescue missions, law enforcement, boardings, and patrolling the lower New York Harbor. He is at the station for 2 days, then home for 2 and works every other weekend.
We live on base with about 60 other Coast Guard families, and it's really just like a tight knit gated community. People are so kind and helpful, and it's comforting knowing that on nights Riley is away, there at 20 or 30 other women who's husbands are keeping mine company just a block or so away at the station.
The Coast Guard has been the best decision we have made in our marriage. I look back to the time I was so apprehensive and am so thankful that Riley was so in tune and prayerful in the direction our family needed to go. We are closer than we have ever been, and as happy as the Coast Guard makes Riley, it makes me even happier seeing him go to work every day to a job that he absolutely loves. I am so proud of him, and thankful all the other men and women ( and their families) who serve our country in the military.
Sorry, I'm sure this post has been incredibly boring for most. But if by chance some new Coastie wife stumbles across it, it is my hope that she can take comfort in my experiences.
Here are a few photos of my hottie pants Seaman Stewart in action!
