136.Feeling your way through Defence Partner Life

<p>In this week's podcast episode, I speak with defence partner Chaia about finding support and comfort in spouse friends, accessing Open Arms & Future plans.</p> <p> </p> <p>Chaia and I also speak about;</p> <ul> <li>starting off as friends and what it meant once they started dating</li> <li>why nothing prepares you for the transition into defence life</li> <li>the difference between being posted to a reserve vs full-time battalion</li> <li>experiencing her first posting and deciding to live apart (MWDU)</li> <li>why leaving her employment, her long service and maternity leave wasn’t an option</li> <li>finally feeling like she had defence life figured out only for it to change again</li> <li>deciding to stay busy while her partner was away which led to burnout</li> <li>putting her hand up for mental health support via Open Arms</li> <li>expectations and accepting the reality of everyday defence life</li> <li>figuring out when they will finally live together and future plans</li> <li>family planning, possible postings and how Chaia envisions it all working</li> <li>having a partner who is proactive in seeking out the info a spouse needs</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Ready to join the ML community? Click through the link to get connected xx     <a href= "http://www.militarylife.com.au">www.militarylife.com.au</a></p>