SINGLE SPOUSE OFFICERSHIP Part -2-

Are there negatives to being a single spouse Officer, yes I am sure there are, As there are to being a married Officer and constantly living and working with your partner. For me the advantages far out weigh the disadvantages. However, there are times when I would ask ‘leadership’ to look at our individual situations before making a policy decision that affects us all. One size does not fit all. I began by stating that our situation is possibly somewhat unique. We asked for and were granted permission from the Army for us to marry while my then fiancé’ was still in hospital recouperating from his stroke. At the time none of us knew how things would work out medically (we heard nurses and doctors confer behind a screen agreeing, “he’ll never walk again!”) and yet the Army still gave us permission to marry.

Two years after his stroke there is no similarity between those early days and now and I thank God for the massive progress Sven has made. However, he is still disabled and in the light of this there are things I chose to do for him and want to do for him as a loving wife. I want to be the best Officer I can possibly be and have a husband who supports me totally. At the same time, I want to be the best wife I possibly can be too and would ask ‘the Army’ to support me in this but not just me, other single spouse Officers too.

I am grateful for Officers Councils, Retreats and Training opportunities we are given and over the years have received a great deal from these events. I have found they spiritually refresh me and recharge my batteries. It is good to be in a position of being ministered to. However, now I find it increasingly difficult to attend as I will not leave my husband at home alone and would want him at least to be able to share my accommodation at such times and have his meals provided. Is it really out of the question for our spouses to attend such events with us? Is it really out of the question for the Army to offer the hand of fellowship and ministry to our partners as a thank you for their support? While we are in councils or retreat could something not be offered to the non-Officer partner in the same venue that could help feed them spiritually, bring them together so they too could meet with other like minded people and share fellowship with the Officer fraternity too?

In some ways there are times when it would appear I have my own confidant, counselor, prayer partner, trainer, mentor and much, much more living under the same roof. Yes, it is me who is the Officer. Yes, it is my calling being fulfilled, but it is being enriched by a husband who if he had his way would have an Army flag by the front door in our quarters as a constant reminder of our mission, and what we are about as we leave the house. I thank God that we, are: ‘Called by God to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ And we have the opportunity of fulfilling our calling separately and together to the very best of our ability.

Glad Ljungholm
Major
Exeter Temple (on the way to Hamilton, Scotland, via Latvia)
UKT