PAST

Our military life began, three short days after our marriage. Bobby and I (Sheila) were married on a Friday evening and Monday afternoon (June 18, 1984) Bobby left for Marine Corps boot camp in California. I (Sheila) joined him later at the Naval base in Meridian, MS, where he was taking his MOS training. We lived there for only a couple of months.

We then moved to MCAS(H) New River, NC. We were there from Dec. 1984 to April 1987. LaNae, our oldest daughter was born in March 1986 at Camp Lejeune's Naval Hospital. Bobby then did an unaccompanied year in Okinawa, Japan from May '87 to May '88. So LaNae and I moved to Scott City, MO to be close to relatives. Laci our second daughter was born six months (October '87) into Bobby's unaccompanied year. He was able to come home for her birth, but it was hard on all of us when he had to return to Okinawa, two short days after her birth. Six months later, we found ourselves back at MCAS(H) New River were we lived until we moved to Iwakuni in November 1996.

A very uncertain time for our family was in 1990-1991. Desert Shield and Desert Storm took Bobby to the gulf and had Sheila glued to the television. We praise God that Bobby was returned to us safely. However, as a Marine we recognize that it was his duty, and he willingly left us to defend our nations interests. We found comfort in knowing that his salvation was secure and we would meet him again in heaven one day, if anything were to happen to him.

From 1996 to the fall of 1999 we lived in Iwakuni, Japan. It was an exiting time for our family. We have learned a little about the religion of Japan, and a few helpful phrases in the language. If you are moving to Japan, we highly recommend learning some phrases or at least purchasing a Japanese/English dictionary if you will be landing at any other place but on the base. We landed in Osaka and had to make our way via the bullet train to Iwakuni. It wasn't easy, but we made it. More information about Iwakuni can be found on the Spencers page. We have also put several links on our LINKS page.

Bobby attending recruiting school in San Diego and graduated 26 August 1999. We wanted to get close (but not to close) to family and we were blessed to get pretty close to what we wanted. We were in Hannibal (we have some links on our LINKS page). Recruiting was our most difficult duty in our 16 years in the corps. Why? I think mainly because you are dependant on 'kids' to join the corps. The number of kids who join determines on whether your superiors consider you to be successful. With other Marine Corps jobs; your hard work and dedication to the job at hand makes you successful. Here it all depends on a kid. The time spent away from the family, hours working, is also stressful. A deep abiding faith in God and a strong marriage is what helped us make it in this duty.

We feel very fortune that our military seperations (due to trainings, unaccompanied tours, and schools) have been few. Many couples are forced to spend more time away than together. God has blessed us in that area.

PRESENT

We are back in Jacksonville NC. Bobby works at MCAS New River with MALS 29 Supply Accounting. He is enjoying being a Marine again.

FUTURE

In less than four years Bobby will be eligible for retirement. We are making plans now, but nothing is certain. Although, we've mentioned how hard recruiting can be, there is a plus to it. We have made some wonderful contacts for future business relationships and jobs. When retirement comes around, we'll use this to our advantage.

The best advice I could give a new military family is:

• Make your home where the military sends you. Don't refer to your parents home as "your home".
• Be involved in the community, volunteer your time to a cause you believe in.
• Join the church where you worship and serve there - don't say "I attend here but my membership is at home." Trust me, "You are home."
• Spouses, obtain the knowledge you need to "hold down the fort" while your military spouse is away. Take a bookkeeping class, child raising class, or be involved in a spouse support team.
• Be flexible
• Be strong
• Remain Faithful -- To God and Your Spouse!