Swifties, this one is for you. Are you new to the submarine life and looking for a fun way to learn more? In anticipation of “The Tortured Poets Department” dropping tomorrow, we pulled together a Taylor Swift-orientated crash course! Don’t Blame Me for the cheesy puns you are about to read. Are you Ready For It?
So You Are In Love with a sailor and are new to the submarine lifestyle and what that entails. Well You’re NOT On Your Own, Kid. There are so many submarine spouses cheering on their Supermans (or Superwomen).
What is OPSEC?
This stands for operation security. In order to keep our sailors Safe and Sound and able to enjoy their Silent Night’s, we must be aware of who we share information with. Below are some examples of what not to share:
- Boat departure or return dates, “My sailor is set to return in August“
- Port call timelines, “My sailor is saying So Long, London tomorrow!”
Deployments
You will find yourself through your time with your sailor Saying Don’t Go. But sadly, deployments are normal with your time in the Navy. But alas, we must be Fearless!
After you say Bye Bye Baby to your sailor, RED will become your new favorite color as in deployment context stands for Remember Everyone Deployed. Some commands do RED Friday’s submissions where you can get a chance at first hug/kiss (first sailor off the boat post deployment). I know we all wish they would Come Back and Be Here with us but there is important work to be done!
Communication & Boat Support
Seasoned spouses know the lack of communication All Too Well so be prepared for limited to no contact with your deployed sailor. Submariners are limited to only email communication while underway, and will likely go “dark” for periods of time during missions. Don’t let this impact your Happiness, it is perfectly normal and part of deployment. They are not being Mean. And Now That We Don’t Talk, try to stay busy and remember you will hear from your Lover soon enough! When they pull into foreign ports they can have access to their phones and internet.
Sometimes It’s Nice To Have A Friend who understands what you and your sailor are experiencing. You can meet some of these spouses at your Family Readiness Group (FRG) meeting. An FRG is filled by volunteers from the command, that serves as a support system for the families of sailors. The FRG, operated by spouse board members, also plans social functions, morale building events, and informational sessions with command leadership (i.e. pre-deployment nights). Every command is different, and sometimes FRGs are limited to spouses only or may only meet in-person.
You may find yourself saying Is It Over Now and thinking We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together and these times it can be tough and you can start to feel like a Madwoman (or man). Some good advice I’ve heard over and over again, stay busy. This can be through work, gym goals, family time, or even trying new hobbies.
Homecoming
So, Homecoming. You’re almost Out of The Woods. Homecoming dates also Change often so be in contact with the Ombudsman before the boat leaves. The Ombudsman is the family’s point of contact between themselves and the boat. It’s likely that Everything Has Changed from the original plan. But never in your Wildest Dreams can you imagine the joy of homecoming. You may find yourself in a new Wonderland of excitement.
When you get word your sailor is on their way home you’ll be doing so much Cleaning and shopping for a new Dress or outfit to greet them with can. Be careful when you see your spouse for the first time, as they may be a little ghost-looking as they most likely haven’t seen Daylight in a while!
Once your sailor is home, be prepared for a reintegration period. Your sailor will likely need to Shake It Off and readjust to home life after the deployment. This is very normal and can sometimes take months. Give them space to adjust and be Delicate, know that the adjustment looks different for everybody.
For more information on submarine life (and NOT decoded through Taylor Swift song titles), click here.