Reasons Why Being Married To The Army Is Fun...1st Edition

I have decided that every Friday I will list a reason why being married to the Army is fun. Honestly, deployments, and work schedules aside, it truly is fun! If you're not part of it, you have no idea. So, this is my way of shedding a little light on the matter. So let me begin with last evening...

As I gussied myself up for the evening...totally ignorant of what would unfold later on, I decided to wear my black leather boots...the ones with stiletto heels. (The hubby likes them, so I figured, I'd be nice.)When we arrived at Famous Dave's BBQ, the waiter came to take our drink order. Given the week that I have had, I felt that I was entitled to a "Smokin' Tea" last night at 1-14 CAV's Hail and Fairwell. I didn't realize how large the glass was going to be, and before I knew it, I had polished off one, and had ordered another. So, you can only imagine my angst when I found out that I had to stand up on a chair!

Imagine me...tired from lack of sleep, slightly buzzed, in 3 1/2 inch heels with skinny jeans that I could hardly breath in. I get up on the chair, which by the way had a padded seat (All I could imagine was my sharp heel puncturing the pleather upholstery), whilst Dave's friend exclaimed "Holy Heels Batman!" which about made me pee my pants! Yes, I was now standing on a chair...waiting for my hubby to place a garter on my leg, without using his hands...and I was still worried that my heel would punch a hold in the chair...

Last night, I was inducted into the "Order of the Garter" an Army tradition specific to the Cavalry (the Army is HUGE on tradition).

According to legend...and the card that I received last night, "when Calvary Troopers went off for several days and weeks scouting, their wives, and girlfriends would wear yellow ribbons in their hair while their Troopers were away." Over the years, the idea has morphed into many different things, like yellow ribbons on the trees, etc. The Cavalry tradition has become that when a new wife comes to her first Hail and Farewell, she will be welcomed into the "Order of the Garter." The Trooper will bestow a yellow garter upon his lady's leg, and kiss her on the cheek for good luck.

I was unable to attend the previous Hail and Farewell, and therefore did not receive my garter...so they got me at this one. So, I'm standing on the chair...now on one foot while Dave shimmies the yellow garter adorned with the small, gold, crossed sabers up my leg. Thankfully, this task was uneventful, and my heel did not go through the pleather seat, and I did not fall while trying to balance myself on one foot.

For ever more, I am part of a special group of women...the wife of a Cavalry Trooper. As long as we are in a CAV unit, I will wear my garter to every unit social function (hail & farewells, balls, stable calls, etc.)

So, this will conclude my first installment of reasons why being married to the Army is fun.  Many, especially those in the non-CAV sector of the Army may find my above mentioned accounts a little hokey, but then again there is a saying: If you aint't CAV, you ain't...well, you get the gist I'm sure...