Sometimes Spouse Clubs get a bad rap. One unfortunate experience or horror story can ruin the desire to get involved at future bases, but Clubs are more than the stories. Here are five things you might not know about Spouse Clubs.
There are no ‘picture perfect’ requirements.
You don’t have to wear a 1950’s dress (unless you want to) or have nude pumps. Nobody will side-eye you if you bring cookies from your “great-grandmother” Nestlé Toll House instead of handmade. The only requirement is a yearly fee ranging from $30 to $60. This money helps fund prizes, activities, and scholarships.
Where do you want to volunteer?
Many Clubs run the Thrift Shop, Airman’s Attic, or a Cinderella’s Closet. If you want to volunteer, The Club has many ways to do so, giving you a high chance of volunteering for something you love.
Enlisted versus officer
The stereotypes of Enlisted vs. Officer spouses can work their way into fears about joining the Spouses’ Club. In some cases, bases where there is a fast turnover like Lackland AFB, Clubs include enlisted and officer spouses, so it’s not always a hard line in the sand.
At my first base in Hickam, I felt scandalized the Clubs were separate, but instead of rivalry, the Officer Spouses Club felt like a sister organization. Even if they are separated, don’t fret about the officers being snobbish or the enlisted spouses being low class. These are old stereotypes, and on the whole, the spouses you meet are kind-hearted, genuine, and want friends—just like you.
Prepare the calendar!
Almost all spouse clubs have a once-a-month gathering for all members. Additionally, many have break-out groups: hiking club, mom playgroups, foodies, or even a wine group. These subgroups are a fantastic way to find like-minded friends within a Club that could have 30-100 people inside of it.
In our Spouses’ Club at Hickam, one person would select a theme for the wine night each month. Each person would bring a bottle of wine and a snack that would ‘pair well’ with the theme. Twenty of us would cram into somebody’s on-base living room and proceed to do a wine tasting with swirling, smelling, and noting our favorites (often with an over-the-top fancy accent). By the end of the night, we would be raucously laughing with our full bellies.
Ready to go Back to School?
Through the thrift shop, yearly fundraiser, or both, the Club enriches your community through scholarships. Many spouses and military members worldwide have continued their education through support from their local Spouses’ Club.
The Spouses’ Club is more than a night to chit-chat and meet possible friends. It’s an intrinsic organization on base that helps create a thriving military community. Discover your base’s Club to get involved today!