Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Marla Bautista , a 40-year-old military spouse in Tampa, Florida. None of my immediate family or friends had been service members, so becoming a military spouse was all new. I had to give up the prospect of a career for this lifestyleMany military spouses give up their careers to become homemakers. It’s common to hear military spouses say their career starts once their spouse's career ends. AdvertisementIt can be hard not to lose your own identityMy advice for other military spouses is to support yourself, too.

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Persons: —, Marla Bautista, I’ve, he’d, We’ve, hasn’t Organizations: Service, Army, Business, Skype Locations: Tampa , Florida, Denver, Chicago, Iraq, Germany, Colorado, Tampa ., Hawaii, Netherlands, France, It's, Tampa