Every so often, a conversation in our community makes me pause and reflect. Recently, it was a Facebook post about military spouse volunteerism and its connection to unemployment. While I…
BTC Chronicles Collection
What I Wish I Knew as a New Marine Corps Spouse
When I became a Marine Corps spouse, I didn’t fully understand the world I was stepping into. I knew I was marrying a Marine—strong, disciplined, and committed—but I didn’t yet…
In Case You Need the Reminder: You’re Doing Better Than You Think!
There’s something about military life that makes even the most resilient among us pause and wonder:“Am I doing enough?”“Is everyone else handling this better than I am?”“Shouldn’t I be used…
PCS Pit Stops: A Vacation or a Trip?
You know how your great-aunt says, “Oh how lovely! You’re taking a vacation during your PCS leave!” and you smile while your soul whispers, Ma’am, this is a logistical nightmare with a scenic…
BTC Podcast Season 3: Home is Where the Marine Corps Sends You
We know that receiving orders to a new duty station can come with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Where will we live? What are the schools like? Will we find…
The Truth Behind the Stats: What the 2024 DoD Spouse Survey Tells Us—and Why It Matters
Every two years, the Department of Defense asks military spouses to share the reality of life behind the uniforms, deployments, and PCS orders. The 2024 Active Duty Spouse Survey results…
Unlocking Potential: Marine Corps Libraries and the Summer Reading Program
Amid frequent relocations, deployments, and the unique challenges of military life, Marine Corps families often seek stability and enrichment for themselves and their children. Fortunately, a remarkable resource exists right…
If the Marine Corps Wanted You to Have a Wife, They Would’ve Issued You One…
There’s an old saying that floats around —one that makes seasoned spouses chuckle and new ones raise an eyebrow: “If the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife, they would’ve…
Military Spouse is not a disclaimer.
If you’ve ever hesitated to list “military spouse” in your LinkedIn headline, your résumé, or your elevator pitch, you’re not alone. Many of us have been coached to downplay it,…
See You Later: The Bittersweet Gift of Marine Corps Friendships
If you’ve ever laid on the hot pavement on a cool spring day, just talking about anything and everything with a friend while the kids chalk up the sidewalk nearby—you…
Behind the Orders: Demystifying Manpower Management
“Hey, honey, we have orders.” For Marine Corps families, those words evoke a mix of excitement, anxiety and anticipation. Whether you love or dread the idea of packing up and moving…
“PCS” is not a word.
We don’t just move—we “PCS.” We say things like, “We’re PCSing to Lejeune this summer,” or “I can’t believe we have to PCS again already!” Friends, acronyms are not…
