This following is the first blog post in our Homecoming series. Contact us if you would like to be a guest blogger and submit your Homecoming story.

My first…
By Despina

I’m a 43 year old Submariner’s wife writing my first blog post and yesterday I experienced my first homecoming.  Although my Sailor and I have been together for 5 years and he had been out to sea plenty of times, I had never experienced a submarine homecoming.  I have to thank the CO, had he not appointed me as Ombudsman I would probably still be ignorant of this incredible experience!

Yesterday I was blessed to witness a magnificent sight; the homecoming of the USS Missouri (SSN 780).  I stood in awe at the shore line and watched her sail break the water as she rose majestically to continue her journey to the sub base on the surface of the Thames.  Her topside lined with Sailors, standing with their hands behind their backs.  Her sail filled to capacity with Officers and pilots as they made their way home.  The formality and quiet dignity of their postures impressed and moved me beyond words.

As we raced to the next viewing point, Paul’s Pasta, I could barely contain my excitement, awe and anger; directed firmly at my Sailor for letting me think this was no big deal for so many years!

The Mighty Mo passed so close to us that I could make out faces of the Sailors that lined her sleek wet body.  She was escorted, like a debutante, preceded by a Coast Guard gunnery boat and flanked by an imposing tug that would gently assist her in her final maneuvers to the pier awaiting her.

Our next stop was the overlook near the Nautilus and I thought how appropriate that the newest ship would pass the oldest on her way home.  Racing down to the pier, I could barely contain myself.  We made it just before the Mighty Mo and got to watch the tug and crew working together to secure her to the pier.  I was watching a well-rehearsed ballet in awe.

I saw my mustached Sailor scramble up the hatch onto her back, first turning to find me in the crowd and wave at me.  Those were the first tears I shed yesterday.  My Sailor was home safe and sound.  I proudly watched as he strode to the back of the ship, with purpose, as a large cantilevered arm reached out to hand thousands of pounds of cables to him and his division so they could connect shore power to the ship.

I gathered all the ladies of the Mighty Mo together and asked that they yell “Hey Shipmate!” just so I could watch my Sailor turn around one more time, this time with a chagrined look on his face as he gave me a short wave.  He was the only one that turned around.  He is “THE” Shipmate on the boat.

I watched a massive crane slowly amble onto the pier to place a steel girdle around the nose and sail of the ship, ignorant of its purpose.

For the first time, I watched wives eyes gleam with tears and tenderness as they caught glimpses of their Sailors walking down the pier to say hello for a minute before they went back to work.  They had a long way to go before their work day ended.

You may be thinking “Why haven’t you ever seen this?” Funny thing…. HE NEVER TOLD ME such a thing existed and worse than that, I NEVER THOUGHT TO ASK!  I always waited for his call telling me he was home and thought that was the “thing” that Navy wives did.

I know better now and will never miss another opportunity like this again.  If you’ve never seen this, you should.  I haven’t done the majesty of it justice.

For the first time I didn’t see Submarines at their berths at the sub base.

I saw love lining the Pier in New London and it took my breath away.

This was my first homecoming but you can bet; it will not be my last.

Related story:

USS Missouri returns to sub base after shakedown cruise

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Today at the White House the First Lady, Michelle Obama held a telephone conference with milbloggers and traditional reporters to make an exciting announcement regarding Military Spouse employment as part of the Joining Forces initiative.

Mrs. Obama announced, “11 companies are coming together to pledge more than 15,000 jobs for military spouses — 15,000 jobs.  And the vast majority of these jobs are ones that the spouses can do at home from anywhere in the country.”

The jobs will be listed on the Military Spouse Employment Partnership website, which features an easy to use searchable database.

Most of the jobs are customer service, however other positions highlighted included jobs within the telecommunications, health care and service industries.

Joining Mrs. Obama on the call was fellow military spouse, Dawn Schaeffer. Dawn is an Air Force wife who shared her struggle with finding a suitable job after a move from Guam to Missouri. Dawn currently works for Arise Virtual Solutions, one of the 11 companies highlighted in the announcement today. She very candidly shared her story, one that is very familiar to spouses who have had to “start over” after a move.  “I was really excited about this opportunity because it allowed me to set my own schedule; it allowed me to stay at home.  I get to provide customer service to some of the biggest companies in the world.  And I don’t have to worry about making ends meet if we get transferred or have to move to another base. And following the certification process, I began servicing customers of a major telecom company.  And I’m a certified professional, and I absolutely love what I do.”

This exciting announcement brings job opportunities to thousands of military spouses wanting to find portable and flexible job options.

I’m looking forward to hearing the success stories that come out of the announcement as spouses apply for and secure these jobs. It’s important to note, for spouses who start out in one of the customer service, call center positions at possibly an entry-level position, there would opportunities to move up in the organization based on their performance. Salary amounts range from $9 to $16 an hour.

Indeed, the Joining Forces initiative has come a long way in its efforts to challenge companies to create credible and desirable job opportunities for spouses. They are tackling the unemployment rate spouses face today head on.

Thank you Mrs. Obama for letting me be part of the extraordinary experience of helping get the word out about this great stepping stone in providing real jobs that meet the unique needs of the job seeking military spouse.

Thank you for opening up the conference call to military spouse bloggers.

Thank you for highlighting one of our own, Dawn Schaeffer.

Thank you also to Dawn Schaeffer for being so candid and willing to sharing your success story of finding a portable, flexible job! You are an inspiration to every job / career seeking military spouse.

A year ago I was honored to attend a similar conference call with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, as she first announced the Joining Forces initiative. It was such a privilege and an honor to be part of the call today to get to hear first hand how far the Joining Forces initiative has come. This jobs announcement will make a remarkable difference to military families on the homefront.

From the Armed Forces Press Service:

“Companies are not just telling military families we are inspired by them,” Mrs. Obama said, “They’re backing it up with meaningful, concrete action.”

Companies’ key commitments include:

– Alpine Access has pledged to recruit, train and hire more than 3,000 military-connected Americans over the next two years. The company also will launch TalentSprout, an online portal with skill-building and job training curriculum. These career and personal development courses will be offered free-of-charge to qualified members of the armed forces and to their eligible spouses and caregivers.

– Arise Virtual Solutions Inc. plans to add 10,000 new independent business and client services professionals from military families over the next several years. Arise also intends to develop special programs to create awareness among military spouses and veterans.

– DialAmerica aims to increase the number of military-affiliated employees to make up 20 percent of its workforce by 2014.

– Etech Global Services has committed to hiring a minimum of 200 military spouses and veterans in next two years.

– Hilton Hotels employs nearly 800 military-related employees at their hotels and offices around the globe. In partnership with Recruit Military and other community-based organizations, Hilton Worldwide is pledging another 3.5 percent of their Hilton@Home call center positions to military spouses through 2014.

– Prosperity America intends to hire 50 more veterans and military spouses.

– Quality Contact Solutions is creating 150 work-at-home business-to-business marketing and communication jobs for military spouses over the next two years. These jobs will be in the health care and telecommunications industries.

– Agility Marketing is planning to add 100 jobs for military spouses and veterans over the next two years.

– QCSS Inc. will ensure a minimum of 10 percent of the forecasted 200 new hires from now through 2014 will be veterans and their families.

– SP Data intends to add more than 150 jobs for military spouses and veterans over the next two years.

– Veteran Call Center, LLC plans to create an additional 1,000 jobs for military spouses and veterans over the next two years.

I’ll close with Mrs. Obama’s remarks on the military spouse:

“Just to put this in context so that people understand what these spouses go through, these men and women take on so much.  Just think of it — every couple of years they are packing up and they’re moving from state to state; oftentimes, they’re doing the work of two parents when their spouse is deployed for months at a time.  And like so many civilian families, they’re doing this all while balancing the demands of family, community, and trying to keep their own jobs together, all while hoping and praying that their loved one comes home safe.

These spouses are people who have to know how to do it all.  They’re constantly troubleshooting and managing schedules.  They’re dealing with changing circumstances and everything else that comes their way.  But the beauty of all of this is that it means that our military spouses are often some of the most talented, most resilient and most employable people around.“

For more information visit:

The Official Joining Forces website

First Lady Unveils New Military Spouse Hiring Effort

Updated:

Blog posts by other milbloggers on the call:

Over 15,000 jobs created for military spouses -Not Your Average Brooklynette

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Attention DC area spouses! If you are on the job search, be sure to put this event on your calendar.

We will be attending this job fair exclusive to military spouses and hope to see you there!

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Family Matters Blog

by Elaine Sanchez
Jan. 9, 2012

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is hosting a career fair in Washington, D.C., this week dedicated solely to helping military spouses find jobs.

The Hiring Our Heroes – Military Spouse Career Forum will feature a host of national and local employers specifically seeking qualified military and veteran spouses, as well as resume and interview coaching, and resources for starting a business. The forum is scheduled for Jan. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Spouses of active duty and reserve members, retirees, veterans and fallen service members are welcome to attend.

Job seekers and employers can register for this free event and learn about other chamber-sponsored career fairs around the country at hoh.greatjob.net. Be sure to upload your resume when registering. For assistance with registration, email hiringourheroes@uschamber.com.

The Chamber of Commerce launched the Hiring Our Heroes program last year. This yearlong, nationwide effort is aimed at helping veterans and spouses find employment, with a goal of conducting 100 hiring fairs across the country.

The chamber also is involved with the Wounded Warrior Transition Assistance Program, Student Veterans Internship and Employment Program and a Women Veterans and Military Spouses Employment Program.

This “aggressive agenda,” officials noted on the chamber’s website, “focuses on one measure of success: jobs for the 1 million unemployed veterans in America.”

Additional resource:
Family Matters Blog

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U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Warren, with Detachment 4, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 37, drops his helmet and runs to greet his wife in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on Dec. 1, 2011.

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Welcome Home!!

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This years Army Navy football game will take place on December 10, 2011.

This is the first Spirit Video I’ve seen this year, and I’d have to say it’s a good one!

For game information, game gear and more information you can visit http://armynavygame.com

Our favorite USAA is the presenting sponsor this year.

To view more Spirit Videos – Click here or http://armynavygame.com/spirit-spots.php

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Meet the Dow’s, Gina and Phil, our selection for the Home Depot’s Foundation GiveGood Campaign.

It was so hard to pick just one family in need. Our wounded warriors and disabled veterans are quiet about their experiences and what they have seen. Although the Dow’s submission and story was short, we felt a strong connection to their story.

Part of their story:

Phil Dow is a disabled veteran who served two tours in Iraq with the US Army. During his combat service Phil, an Army tanker, earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and other awards. Phil was injured from a vehicle bomb in Iraq and had multiple surgeries and recovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Despite all that he has been through he considers it a great honor to serve our country.

Phil has since been discharged from active duty, but continues his commitment to our military by serving in the Massachusetts National Guard.

The Dow’s now have three small children and could use some help converting their expensive oil heating system to gas, or replacing old, drafty windows or vinyl siding that is in disrepair.

Our selected military family will now be entered for a chance to have Home Depot fulfill their “Wish List” of home improvements up to a retail value of $20,000.

“Items on the “wish list” are things that will make a real difference in the long term efficiency and comfort of the family’s home, including things like a new HVAC system, new carpet, a new roof and new windows. The winning family will be determined by votes on a Facebook application on The Home Depot page Nov. 29-Dec. 9 and announced on Dec. 14.“

From the Home Depot Foundation, “We hope that with everyone who votes for a family, reads a blog post, sees a tweet or even just hears about the program is inspired to Give the Gift of Good in their local communities and keep the chain going.”

We delivered $250 of Home Depot holiday decorations and a leaf blower last Saturday. We are in New England home to one of the most beautiful places for fall foliage. That is also code for A LOT of leaves fall here.

We then presented them with a $250 gift card to towards a snow thrower or other needed item(s).

To learn more about this inspiring military veteran family and to vote for them in the $20,000 Wish List of home improvements please visit the Home Depot Facebook page. http://thd.co/uJJuS5

From the Home Depot page:

“VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FAMILY AND HELP THEM WIN $20,000 WORTH OF HOME DEPOT HOME SERVICES! ONE VOTE PER PERSON PER 24 HOUR PERIOD; VOTING CONCLUDES DEC. 9 AT 11:59 PM EST.”

The Home Depot store in our neighborhood where we shopped for the Dow family.

Thank you Home Depot Foundation for all you do to support military families!

Another thank you to MilitaryAvenue.com our partner in finding a military family in the New England area.

Related post:

http://mymilitarylife.com/2011/11/14/giving-good-and-20000-to-help-a-military-family/

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