Homefront Club: The Hardheaded Woman's Guide to Raising a Military Family

I found this book to be incredibly helpful when I decided to marry my Marine. While some of what she writes is definitely Navy (ombudsman, for example) it can still be applied to any branch, by simply translating the lingo (Ombudsman into Key Volunteer for USMC). I have found this book helpful in finding a career at our new duty station in Japan (it's okay to Starbuck sometimes!), for understanding my husband when he got home from deployment, and I'm sure it will be helpful when we have children. It's nice to read a book with real stories, real life, and real lessons learned. I have learned to be a happy military wife with this book, and am forever grateful. I also had the chance to meet the author when she came to my workplace where we're stationed. She's so honest and real and funny that I can't help but love the book more! A definite must for the new, frustrated, or expert military wife. Everyone can use a laugh, and the knowledge they're not the only one who's life can fall apart at the seams every three years. =)

I love this book for its uplifting and real tone. Write more for us wives!

i think this is one of the best i have read help me with understanding that we some times have to do for our selfs as well as our men. I even made my hubby read it!

While some of Jacey's views may seem a bit old fashioned or naive, and despite the fact that she comes from the world of the 'officer's wife,' which is slightly different from my world, the world of the 'enlisted wife,' I found this book to be more realistic than anything comparable I have yet read. Reading through this book actually felt like chatting with an old friend, a fellow military wife, a mentor. Some of the author's points were so poignant that they literally brought tears to my eyes! Jacey hits on all aspects of military family life: marriage, moving, deployments, community, parenting, careers, and eventual retirement. There is no arrogance, bitterness, or cynicism here, just plain honesty and a realistic yet positive mental attitude, which we all need to cultivate in this difficult lifestyle! I passed this book on to another military wife the very day I finished reading it, because I think it is well worth reading for both the new military wife (in any service) and the seasoned military wife of many years. A highly recommended read!

My husband is in the USMC and we have been married for 11 years with two children. Military life is something difficult to really explain to a new spouse or even your own family after many years. Ms Eckart gives the reader much more than the usual how to, but what to expect as spouse. Her insight is more from a friend's point of view....the great friend you'd meet who would tell if you had something in your teeth at a party. She is funny, honest, and gathered wisdom that is without a doubt years of "ah ha" moments for spouses. I most enjoyed Ms Echart's personal experiences with her family and Navy life. There was several times I had to read sections to my husband because I had literally laughed out loud. The USMC has a program for spouses, families and girlfriends/boyfriends called LINKS. The other services have the same program, different name. LINKS gives the basic scoop on military life. I highly reccomend Homefront Club for the program as well as for anyone you know or love in our military family!