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Military spouses
Never did I imagine that I would be the spouse of a “ lifer .” I grew up with the knowledge that my father served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and felt the pull to join the military from his example . I joined the Navy in the winter of 1996 and experienced Great Lakes , Illinois , in the heart of the cold season .
After graduation I spent the next year or so going through different training pipelines in Illinois and Virginia . Once finished with my initial training , I was stationed onboard the USS Spruance out of Mayport , Florida . I enjoyed that tour which afforded me the opportunity to experience sea duty as well as the practical application of my rate .
I first met my husband , Craig , when we were stationed together at Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity Mayport , Florida , after completing my first sea tour . I was attracted to him and his intensity in every aspect of his life , there was something that drew me to him . In 2003 , we started our life together as a dual active duty military couple .
Initially life was pretty good , he was on shore duty with a limited amount of daily stress . I was on shore duty as well because in January 2004 I was pregnant with our oldest son . It became apparently clear to both of us that we wanted more children together and living a dual military life was not conducive to our family . I decided to get out of the Navy and began my life as a military spouse when we had been married for 2 years .
Craig ’ s first sea tour was a challenge to say the least . He went on deployment immediately after checking onboard and this really tested our ability to communicate . He has always been extremely focused ( intense ) and this led to him sporadically emailing me throughout deployment . My hope was for daily emails , but there were occasions in which my inbox was empty . We endured our first deployment together and learned many things from the experience . Craig learned how to stop what he was doing and send me daily emails to reconnect us and I learned to trust his loyalty and commitment to our marriage despite his intermittent communications .
Sea duty is an incredible thing for our Sailors and the Navy family . Craig is horrible about ruining the routine that I worked so hard to create while he is gone on deployment . My family works best when there is a routine in place while he is gone , but once he returns everything turns to chaos . Initially , it was frustrating to see him destroy what I worked so diligently
By Lisa Johnson • Guest Columnist
Submitted photo Lisa Johnson and her husband , Master Chief Craig Johnson , are stationed at Naval Air Station Meridian where he is serving as the Command Master Chief .
to create . Nevertheless , I saw the guilt he had for leaving his family to serve the country he loves so dearly . He just needed to love us all up once he returned and if that meant that bedtime was extended 30 minutes then so be it . He will always answer the call for his country , but when it is time for him to return to us , we are confident that the time with him will be exceptional .
We are coming up on our 18th wedding anniversary and out of the last 18 years Craig has been at a sea going command for 15 of those years . His desire to serve and go to the most challenging billets has been difficult , yet important for his career and growth as a Sailor , husband and father . To be completely honest , there are times when I wanted him to retire . We have had some challenging times ; countless deployments and major inspections that drew his attention away from the family , but we have also had just as many if not more rewarding times . The challenges have helped us grow as a couple and family and appreciate the rewards of being a military family .
I thought it would be easier being “ just ” a Navy spouse and I was so wrong . Having experienced both a Navy spouse and dual active duty each had its own set of challenges . I believe being a spouse has been the most challenging and rewarding . I had a good working knowledge of what I needed to do to support my husband through his years in the Navy to help him meet his goals as a Sailor , husband , and father .
When we met Craig was a Second Class Petty Officer and I was blessed to be able to help and support him to become the Master Chief he is today . The Navy has changed over the years , it is not the same as it was when I was active duty , so I needed to learn a new mindset as a spouse . I am proud of his service and proud that I am by his side to help him to be the best Sailor he can be .
We moved to Meridian in July 2021 and are slowly starting to become involved in the community . Community has always been the most rewarding part of being a military spouse . It takes time to find my new tribe in the places we have been , but those friendships have been extremely rewarding . I am looking forward to finding my new tribe here .
• Lisa Johnson is a homemaker and enjoys volunteering with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society onboard Naval Air Station Meridian . The couple have five children , Jesika , Rachel , Tyler , Evelynn and Caleb .
34 • MERIDIAN HOME & STYLE