It has been brought to my attention that my sign-off “Over and Out” is actually NOT the correct way to end transmission of information in the Armed Services. I feel it is vitally important to inform any military spouses of my grievous error.
My husband chuckled at my sign-off indicating to me that at all of his schools and in all of his training, the phrase “Over and Out” is drilled out of their systems. I chuckled right back and reminded him that I enjoy the old 1950s era war movies and “Over and Out” is one of the repeated phrases I came to know and love.
Pondering on my husband’s statement, I started to think about how important our little joking banter really was for all of us Military Spouses…
You see, we aren’t in the military- most of us, I should say, in respect of those dual service couples who sacrifice so much. We are Military Spouses, a role that is difficult explain to the non-military population. We have a great understanding of the military, but when it comes down to it, phrases like “Over and Out” work just fine for us. We need to attach ourselves to the good the military brings. The family days, the reduced prices in the PX/Commissaries, the camaraderie. We don’t have to be affected by the negative until it comes, quite literally, knocking on our doors.
Sometimes I like to romanticize about the military because it makes it a little easier to say good bye to my husband when he needs to go away. It makes it easier to deal with the days filled with changing diapers, getting to doctor’s appointments, cleaning up messes, dealing with the dogs…and missing my best friend.
So, in response to anyone who feels that my “Over and Out” sign-off isn’t military authentic…It is for me…It’s my way of feeling a part of the military without putting on my ruck and walking for 20 miles, carrying a gun and forty pounds of equipment.
I’m just good with my Hollywood style, “Over and Out” and after explaining what it meant to me, my husband is, too…
Does anyone else have a romanticized military ‘thing’ you love?
Over and Out…
6 Comments
I know what you mean. I cannot say that I “love” this but one day I was just pondering the thought of my husband leaving for deployment again. Trying to cheer myself up and avoid the inevitable tears. I thought the “Idea” is kinda “Romantic” to see my husband off to duty. Waving good bye through the tears. Yes, the reality is AWFUL! But you did bring up old movies. That made me think of the many old Hollywood scenes of the guy hopping on the train and the woman running beside it as he reaches out to touch her hand one last time…You get the picture. Silly, I know cause it is not reality. But like you said, whatever makes it easier.
Jessica~ I love your ‘romantic’ comfort. You’re right, the reality is awful, but the thought of being compared to the ladies who came before us during Vietnam, Korea, and the World Wars, brings tingles and goosebumps. Those women were such heroes- and they suffered greatly. Romanticizing like that is so healthy for us, because it’s our way of coping… Who wouldn’t want to be the nurse the sailor kissed in Times Square with ticker tape filling the air…
I love it Chelle, correct or not.
And yes I do romanticize the military life, I focus on the changes and moves as exciting. Going out into places where all you have is each other, that is terribly romantic I think. The reality of having to say good bye to your true love for long amounts of time is heart wrenching, but look at how much you can learn about yourself during that time, and how much more you learn to appreciate your spouse and the love you share.
Usually when something is really hard to do, it’s a good thing to be doing. When I’m old and telling stories of my life to my great grandchildren…I want to have stories that are worth listening to.
I have to romanticize this situation, or I would drive myself crazy. True, not everything about being a military spouse is bad, and there are quite a few perks, but none of that out weighs the seperations and the fears. It helps to remind myself that our husbands are American Heroes. And I too look at it with Hollywood Eyes at times.
I don’t think I have ever heard a “war”story told by a woman that wasn’t romanticized! My grandmother told stories of rushing down to the men about to be drafted with tickets to Canada in her hand!!! Or women in my family were some of the origional Bombshell babes! Who wouldn’t want to be those hott mama’s painted on the men’s planes. Its very easy for me to romanticize my relationship, it started out almost like a movie, meet and write letters back and forth, fall in love over a distance..travel great distances to see the one who makes your stomach float and bring him home…. I laugh at it since I am not really a girlie girl, to think how sickly sweet it was, and still is, it almost isn’t real sometimes, and other times I wish it wasn’t real. Keep on Dreamin on.
everytime i think of homecoming i think of the new york end of the war picture, the one with the navy man kissing the nurse. I know the story behind it but still in my mind it’s romantic. My husband is in the navy and I’m a nurse. It’s my own little romance in this crazy life we live.