by Melissa Fisher

I attended a wives function for our new squadron the other day. This is our sixth assignment, but my husband’s new job is different than anything we’ve been a part of before. I found myself in unfamiliar territory as the commander’s wife went over our “upcoming events”. In all honesty, I was completely overwhelmed. My usual “go-getter” attitude was suddenly overtaken by a strong urge to crawl beneath a rock for the next two years.

I couldn’t find any large rocks, so I settled for standing in the back.

Another woman and I started speakin,g and it became apparent that she was brand new to anything military. If I was confused, I couldn’t imagine how she felt. So I decided to tell her about my first time on a military base.

My husband and I were only engaged at the time, and I had to drive him to his final ROTC physical. He firmly told me, “You cannot speed on the base. Don’t even go your usual ‘five miles-per-hour’ over.” Did I have to salute people, too? Did I have to get off the sidewalk if uniformed men and women were walking on it? Was I allowed to be on the base at all? I gripped the steering wheel, watched the speedometer like a hawk, and waited for the M-16 to come barreling toward my window when I went slightly over.

When we stopped by the BX, I tried purchasing a sweatshirt. The cashier asked for my ID, and I thought, “How old do I have to be to buy a sweatshirt?” I handed her my driver’s license.

However, nothing was stranger than when we were leaving the BX and cars started doing weird things. Some of them stopped, some of the pulled off to the side, and I gave them crazy looks as I drove right past.

My fiancée yelled, “Pull over!”

I quickly pulled over and asked, “What the heck is going on?”

“Roll down your window.”

Music. The National Anthem, to be precise.

Yes, my new friend, every military base plays the national anthem at 4:30 p.m. Or 5:00 p.m. Actually, that would be 17:00. They might have another designated time. Yes, you have to pull over and stop. If you’re outside, then you must stop walking as well.

The poor girl, I don’t think I made her feel any better.

So, what’s your “military newbie” story?

About the Author:
Melissa Fisher loves traveling, running, working with teen moms through Young Life, and is currently working on a master’s degree in Counseling. She lives with her two young children and her husband who is an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force, and they have just
started a PCS from Phoenix to Las Vegas. Her blogs can be found at http://fourfunfishers.wordpress.com/ and http://www.teenmombiblestudy.com.