Debunking Spouse Club Myths…

By Marguerite Cleveland

     So you have arrived at your new duty station and want to meet new friends, should you join the Spouses’ Club? I have always enjoyed my time with Spouses Clubs especially when I had small children at home. It was so nice to go to a luncheon and have “adult” time with other ladies. The best part about spouses clubs are the sub clubs which are where a group of spouses get together to enjoy shared interests. Popular ones include wine club, book club, lunch bunch (how fun to just go out to lunch, so low stress) and fitness or running clubs. Many spouses have misconceptions about the clubs or maybe had a bad experience at another club. Here are some common objections and why you should ignore them.

Spouses Clubs are run by snooty senior spouses.

     Now clubs are run by a variety of volunteers and senior spouses tend to serve more as mentors. Clubs are now all ranks community clubs not separated for spouses of officers or enlisted members.

Spouses Clubs are cliquey and I won’t know anybody.

     Military spouses are the friendliest people I know. Most clubs have a hospitality chair which helps to welcome new members. At the beginning of a club year usually August or September there is a sign up event. So many people are new each year and looking to make friends just like you are. I’ve always enjoyed the comradery I’ve found with my fellow military spouses. They know what you are going through and are always there for you. It is such a great way to meet new friends especially if you join a sub club. Can you imagine how nice it is to have lunch buddies or a group of friends to sample new wines?

I will have to volunteer.

     Most likely someone will ask you to volunteer as clubs seem to always be short on volunteers but there is no obligation. At one assignment, we lived far from the base so I just attended the monthly luncheons. Also volunteering is not all or nothing. You can volunteer for just a single event or activity. I’ll be honest, I used to be the last person in the world who would volunteer for anything but when my children went to a school that had mandatory volunteer hours. I tried to get out of it due to my husband’s deployment but they wouldn’t budge. It turned out to be such a positive experience for me. Even though it was work, I still feel like I gained much more than I put out. Volunteering forces you to look at someone other than yourself.

     So the next time, you PCS to a new duty station, consider joining the Spouse’s club.