“Been there, done that!” When it comes to helping military spouses deal with deployments, relocations, and all the challenges that come with the military lifestyle, perhaps no one is better suited to assist than other military spouses. 

There are a number of peer-to-peer support networks available to assist military spouses, including both in-person groups as well as online resources.  Most military organizations agree that spouse support groups play a vital role in connecting military families and helping them adjust to the demands of military life. 

The Military Health System (https://health.mil/), for instance, states that there are myriad benefits to peer support. “Connecting with peers can help improve your quality of life, promote wellness, and build resiliency,” points out the MHS website. “Your peers often know you better than anyone else and can encourage you to seek support if they notice negative changes that you may not readily see. 

“Talking with peers who have gone through and overcome similar situations can make it easier to understand problems and find solutions,” MHS adds. “They may have valuable tips or resources to help you cope with a multitude of issues. These may include how to talk to your children about transitions; how to stay connected with your spouse or partner during deployment; and how to take care of yourself while supporting your service member.”

One of the easiest and readily available sources of spouse-to-spouse support is an on-base military spouses’ club, a long-standing tradition in the military. Typically, family resources offices have lists of military spouse clubs and contact information; many clubs also have their own websites or social media pages. 

According to Military.com (https://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/spouse-groups’=), “The clubs of today are almost nothing like the stuffy, white-glove-wearing, bridge-playing groups of military spouses’ past. Clubs today are easy to break into and fun to be a part of. While every club is a little different, military spouse clubs are typically a large group of spouses who meet regularly for lunches or dinners, collect funds for on-base charities and scholarships and, in some cases, run the on-base thrift store. They are a way for spouses to meet and get to know each other while participating in fun group activities. Many clubs also have sub-groups focused on specific interests such as books, fitness, crafts or wine.”

Additionally, there are numerous online resources to help military families locate support groups, including organizations focused on specific areas, such as educational opportunities, mental health support, and employment prospects for spouses. Some of the leading websites include:

• United Service Organization (USO), https://www.uso.org/milspouse: Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military and their families. The USO hosts localized Coffee Connection networking events where spouses can meet; for spouses who may not be able to attend an in-person event, the USO hosts virtual Coffee Connections.

• YMCA Military Outreach, https://www.ymca.org/what-we-do/social-responsibility/military-outreach: Founded in 1844, this venerable organization partners with the Armed Services YMCA and the Department of Defense to offer memberships and respite child care services to eligible military families and personnel. 

• Military Spouse Advocacy Network, https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/: This non-profit organization is dedicated to helping military families make connections within their local communities; the organization also helps military spouses with career and employment advice, financial readiness, education, and mental health support.

• Spouse by Military.com, https://www.military.com/spousebuzz: Spouse by Military.com is a trusted source of military spouse and family news and expert analysis, and it offers an array of articles and resources for spouses.

• Modern Military Association of America, https://modernmilitary.org/: The Modern Military Association of America is a united voice for LGBTQ+ military and veteran communities. Modern Military works to uphold and expand the civil rights progress made on behalf of LGBTQ+ service members, veterans, and their families through education, advocacy, support networks, and discrimination tracking. The group has more than 85,000 members and offers education, support, advocacy, and legal services to military families.

• Milso Support, https://www.facebook.com/MilsoSupportOG/?ref=page_internal: Milso Support is a Facebook group dedicated to the challenges of being a military spouse; posts include humorous memes, relationship tips, family-friendly events, and rental connections, to name just a few.

• Career Military Spouses, https://www.facebook.com/groups/CareerMilitarySpouses: Career Military Spouses is another Facebook group with more than 15,000 members, focusing on military spouses who work full time. 

• Military Families On The Move, https://www.facebook.com/groups/militaryonthemove: This Facebook spouse support group shares advice, tips and tricks for military families, including information about local housing markets, area schools, shopping centers, and local services.

• Navy Wives Club of America, www.navywivesclubsofamerica.org: The Navy Wives Clubs of America is the country’s only non-profit national organization of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard enlisted spouses. Incorporated in 1936, the purpose of NWCA is to unite all sea service enlisted spouses into bonds of mutual friendship, assistance and welfare for their families, bases, and communities in which they live.