136.Feeling your way through Defence Partner Life

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.

Chaia and I also speak about;

• starting off as friends and what it meant once they started dating
• why nothing prepares you for the transition into defence life
• the difference between being posted to a reserve vs full-time battalion
• experiencing her first posting and deciding to live apart (MWDU)
• why leaving her employment, her long service and maternity leave wasn't an option
• finally feeling like she had defence life figured out only for it to change again
• deciding to stay busy while her partner was away which led to burnout
• putting her hand up for mental health support via Open Arms
• expectations and accepting the reality of everyday defence life
• figuring out when they will finally live together and future plans
• family planning, possible postings and how Chaia envisions it all working
• having a partner who is proactive in seeking out the info a spouse needs

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