Have you seen the latest trend? People are asking AI to create images of a toy version of their job. It’s a fun concept, but it got me thinking… what would a toy version of a military spouse look like? The truth is, it’s an impossible task. Because if there’s one thing we are not, it’s “standard issue”.
Think about our lives for a moment. We’re juggling so much!
You might be balancing family life, frequent moves, and trying to grow a business. You might be launching your dream business while adapting to new locations. And for some of us it’s rebuilding a career amidst constant change and seeking that supportive community.
We are not cookie-cutter, mass produced and packaged. We are individuals with unique skills and ambitions. Often, we are well educated, hugely independent and have generally worked in high-profile environments.
This “and spouses” effect, where support for military spouses feels like an afterthought, highlights this. We’re often added to programmes designed for veterans, as if our experiences and needs are identical. But they’re not.
Military spouses and partners have unique challenges. The juggle of deployments, house moves, and the emotional toll of military life – these are things that require bespoke support. We need solutions that acknowledge our strength, resilience, and the entrepreneurial spirit that many of us possess.
The recent discussions around military recruitment throw a spotlight on the importance of military family support too. Right now, with all that’s happening in the world, there’s this constant press talk about sending in the troops to Ukraine. You know what that means for our community – a whole rollercoaster of emotions. We’re all trying to second-guess who’s going, how it’ll control our lives, and glued to the news, watching it unfold.
And in the middle of this, there’s scratching of heads about recruitment and why people leave the Armed Forces.
Let’s be real, keeping people in the military? A huge part of that comes down to us, the family.
The Haythornthwaite Review in 2023 proved it. The average time someone stays in the UK Armed Forces is approx. ten years, and if you join in your 20’s that’s probably the time you are starting a family. Now, 59% of service leavers say they leave because of the strain it puts on family and personal life – at exactly the point when family becomes a priority. You can’t fix retention without looking after the whole family, especially us spouses.
So, let’s ditch the idea of a “toy version” of a military spouse. We are complex, capable, and essential to the strength of the military community. And we deserve support that recognizes and celebrates that, not just a cookie cutter version of what’s already been created.
That’s precisely why Milspo exists.
We’re on a mission to empower military spouses, partners, and other-halves to build thriving businesses that seamlessly integrate with the demands of modern UK armed forces life. We understand the unpredictability of military life, the isolation it can bring, and the unique challenges you face in building a business, because we live it everyday. That’s why we provide a supportive community, tailored business support, and networking opportunities – all designed to help you achieve financial independence and personal fulfillment, and build a business that works around military life, not in spite of it.
And for those military spouses and partners ready to elevate their business growth, we’re running our free online summit, Milspo Thrive designed to accelerate your success. The summit includes expert-led masterclasses, a wealth of advanced business resources, and a powerful, supportive network of like-minded entrepreneurs.
You can find more details at www.milspo.co.uk/milspothrive20205
