NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Being flexible while raising families in an ever-changing environment continues to be a high priority for military spouses, the spouses of top sea service officials said May 7.
The panel of spouses at Sea-Air-Space 2019 discussed their experiences in dealing with the challenging but rewarding life of being married to members of the military.
“Four out of five of our kids would recommend this way of life. So, I think we were pretty successful overall showing them the positive in this crazy life of ours.”
Dana Schultz, wife of Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Karl L. Schultz
“It’s an adventure,” said Dana Schultz, wife of Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Karl L. Schultz. Throughout their military careers, the Schultzes have moved 21 times — an enormous challenge when you have five children to raise.
“Four out of five of our kids would recommend this way of life,” Dana Schultz said. “So, I think we were pretty successful overall showing them the positive in this crazy life of ours.”
Constantly moving to new places around the world still can be tough for kids and spouses, but Ellyn Dunford, wife of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, said she believes the best solution to fighting those challenges is making the best of your situation. “Bloom where you are planted,” Ellyn Dunford said. “If you want to be miserable in life, you will be miserable. … It’s all what you make of it. Are you going to look for opportunities that will help satisfy whatever need is not being answered by the problem you are facing right now?”
