COMMUNITY
A New Breed of T
by Kate James
he term ‘WAG’ has been bandied around for quite some time now, starting with the likes of Posh and Cheryl,
moving on to Colleen and Alex and now in this new decade it is used to describe any woman attached to any reasonably famous bloke. It’s moved on quicker than some of the A-list divorce proceedings. I am one of the new breed of WAG, my other half is not famous, I am a Forces WAG.
I’m not likely to ring the News of the World if we ever split up, I mean I might drop them a line but I seriously doubt they’d be interested. I am one of the many thousands of silent partners running a home, bringing up children and supporting a Serviceman while he works to defend our country and our freedom. That sounds like a line from Independence Day, but I am a very proud WAG and just like the other women attached to the Air Force, Army and Navy we take the rough with the smooth, the loneliness with the reunions, the passing out parades and remembrance services.
It’s not always easy being a Forces WAG. I had been dating my other half for just six months when he was deployed to Afghanistan for a five month tour. I spent the first two weeks in bewildered shock; I couldn’t eat or sleep and cried constantly with worry. I slowly got myself back on track with thanks to the other Forces WAG’s who took the time to listen and reassure me. They taught me the trick to being a Forces WAG during deployment is simply keeping busy.
To this day I am still surprised that we made it through that first deployment, with limited time together to cement a relationship before he left, I was uncertain that we could overcome the separation and constant stress. What I learned in that five month period is that being a WAG does have its advantages like being able to make instant friends with women who have lived and breathed this often demanding way of life. I know that the close circle of Forces WAG friends will be there for me and my children through each deployment, year after year.
You’re probably reading this and thinking if it’s so bad then don’t be with someone in the Forces! All of this doom and gloom of being
www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Summer 2012 39
left to juggle a home, family and work and worrying about his safety morning, noon and night. But of course like any relationship it also has its soaring highs. When he comes home from a long tour it’s like the honeymoon period starts again and we spend more quality time together as a family.
There are official functions to attend; dinners, weddings and parties, and I can’t help but be incredibly proud being escorted by my man in full dress uniform. Might come across as a bit shallow, but I’m allowed at least one typical WAG comment!
I wouldn’t swap my Forces WAG status for anything. Not only am I proud of my man for the difficult, dangerous job he does to protect the country, but because of the lengths he goes to so he can provide for and protect his family. We’ve just had our first baby and he is already stepping up to the plate to be an amazing Dad.
WAG
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