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Show Page IB Lakeside Review Wednesday , June 24, 1981 Some Experiences Amusing ' See Benefits in Wives ' Military Careers Husbands Dependent By LUCINDA SCHUFT Staff Writer -- HILL AFB Military dependents traditionally have been the wives and children of Americas mainly male As the numbers of fighting force. women in the American armed services today has increased a new kind of the dependent has been introduced dependent husband. I The adjustment to this unusual situation, in terms of what society calls a normal husband wife relationship, was discussed with four families currently living in this situation. The wives all are in the military at Hill Air Force Base and the husbands are civilians. These couples are not alone in their adventure. There are 5,334 military personnel at Hill AFB and of these, 472 are women. The enlisted women number 431 with 246 being married; 82 are married to civilians. There are 41 female officers at Hill AFB and 13 of them are married, eight to civilian husbands. Captain Cynthia Douglas husband Scott has never been in the military. He looks at his wifes committment to the service in the same light as the other three husband interviewed, its like a job. Captain Douglas works in the human relations office at Hill Air Force Base and her husband is an independent contractor in the Ogden area, All four husbands interviewed kgree the benefits of being a dependent are just great. However, Capt. Douglas said when the letter from the base came to explain the dependent benefits to her new husband it was addressed to her and not him. Benefits the husbands receive are the same as traditional benefits for "the dependents and include full medical coverage and the use of the bases The many recreational , dependents can also shop in the BX and base commissary. Airman Diane Brennans husband Alan said he likes the benefits available to him because of his wife being in the Air Force but doesnt like to use them too often. I dont want to feel like Im he said. sponging off of them, Alan Brennan was previously in the service himself and attended college for eight months after being discharged. The Brennans have a son and because Alan has e been a student he has been spending a lot of time with their child. Diane is in the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB and works as a secretary for the public affairs office at full-tim- the wing headquarters. She said because of their situation, Alan has spent more time with their son, Dale, than she has and is the primary parent in their childs life. Sergeant Rhonda Dowling and her husband Michael also have a baby. The benefits offered by the military paid the bills when their babies were born. Both couples indicated this was a primary reason the wives stayed in the Air Force while pregnant. Being pregnant in the military did present some problems for the women. Sgt. Dowling, who works in the 1881 Communications Squadron at Hill AFB, said a pregnant woman doesnt really get any slack and has to work right up until the baby is born. The mother is given six weeks off after the childs birth. Sgt. Dowlings occupation as a telephone maintenance person is a occupation and she said being a woman in the field has been difficult at times. She said sometimes her husband would get so upset with things which shed have to go through at work, hed want to go and talk with her supervisor but that wasnt an acceptable approach with the military. The three enlisted wives, including Airman Cathy Racas of the 388th male-dominat- BORN THREE MONTHS ago while his mother Diane Brennan was in the service, young Dale enjoys both parents company at home. Alan says he doesnt mind having his wife in the military but hopes she can get out after he gets his college degree and concentrate on what she wants to do. Diane is currently saving to go to college when her military time is finished. . Tactical Fighter Squadron, said one of the most difficult things they face being married to civilian husbands is being responsible for them and their actions. Airman Brennan said, You have to tell your husband what to do, or else you get in trouble. She said the wives are the threatened with articles 15s, militarys formal reprimand, if their husbands do not behave properly. The primary causes for these types of problems are if bad checks are written by the husband or he gets into some type of legal problems. The Wife must answer for these. Airman Racas said it was easier to be in the service and be single because she only had to worry about herself, but now, being married, she has to worry about her husband Greg as well. Capt. Douglas said the only problem, she has had with her husband not being in the military is stressing that he must wear a seat belt while on base because its base policy. Airman Racas and her husband are expecting their first baby in October. She said they, too, have chosen to have the child while she is still in the service, because of the benefits. Greg was also unemployed for a time after getting out of the service before getting a job as a truck driver. Continued on Page 2B AIRMAN Cathy Racas is expecting her first baby in October and she and her husband, Greg, plan on her eventually getting out of the service. Greg, however, said the Air Force currently offers them security and if need be they would transfer to follow security. |