My Top 3 Favorite Places as a Military Brat and Army Wife 🌎

Posted on October 28, 2026 by DeeDee Lake

Growing up as a Navy brat and later becoming an Army wife, I learned pretty quickly that home isn’t always a particular place. Sometimes, it’s wherever the military sends you next!

After living in 51 homes around the world, I’ve collected plenty of memories, adventures, friendships, and stories. Some duty stations were wonderful. Others? Well, let’s just say they helped build character! 😊

But when my Rules of Engagement co-author, Susan M. Baganz, asked me to name my three favorite places, I had to think about it.

How Do You Choose Just Three?

Spain immediately came to mind. I spent nine years there while my dad served two tours of duty. Those years gave me unforgettable experiences and a love for exploring new places and cultures.

But what about all the other places I’ve called home?

Every military assignment brought something different. New neighbors, new schools, new adventures, and occasionally the challenge of figuring out where we’d packed the coffee mugs!

Looking back, I realize that some of my favorite places weren’t necessarily about the location. They were about the people, relationships, and memories we made along the way.

Watch the Video: My Top 3 Favorite Places

In this short video, Susan and I chat about my favorite places from my years as a military brat and Army wife. You’ll hear which locations made my list and why they still hold a special place in my heart.

These experiences also inspire the military settings, characters, and relationships in our sweet, inspirational military romance series, Rules of Engagement.

Your Turn!

If you’re a military brat, spouse, or veteran, I’d love to hear from you!

What was your favorite duty station, and what made it special?

Share your answer in the comments. Who knows? We may have some favorite places in common!

Explore more military stories and our books at Rules of Engagement.

Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 4 of 4)

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Posted on June 13, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

The story of my husband’s and my meeting was published in a short story titled A Story Book Romance by Guidepost, True Stories of Extraordinary Answers to Prayer, edited by James Stuart Bell, copywrite 2011.

After I left my job in 1976 and became a full-time housewife and mom, I was accepted into the Billy Graham’s School for Christian Writing conference (I was pregnant with my first child at the time). Just when I thought my writing career was going to “take off” so speak, my grandmother needed a place to live, and I heard God whisper to my heart, “take her in.” She was from the south too, and I thought why not? She stayed with us for twelve years until she left to go to her heavenly home.

I felt God’s prompting to write. What I learned in Hawaii was partly the reason I decided to write historical novels. I did write a novel about the Vietnam Era, but did not purse publishing it. At the time Vietnam was something no one wanted to read about. I wrote the Destiny Series, inspired by my grandmother’s stories, and started writing for magazines, newspapers, and then Arcadia Publishing picked me up and I wrote two books for them. I branched into historical romance, because I decided I wanted to write happy endings!

Many Americans do not know the truth about our American legacy. Our history is being rewritten, distorted, and often times the truth is subdued by progressive historians. On my business cards, I have “Writing America’s Story One Truth at a Time” I feel that is what God wants me to do with the knowledge I reaped during my years of travel. So, after my Arcadia books made it to print, I wrote, The Wind of Destiny (now out of print). CrossRiver Media Group picked me up and I wrote Wilted Dandelions, and the series, Swept into Destiny, Destiny Whirlwind, Destiny of Heart, and Waltz with Destiny. My latest novel is the Amish futuristic, Love’s Final Sunrise. I also do a history blog the 16^th of every month on HHHistory.com

Check out my web page as I continue to write America’s story one truth at a time www.CatherineUlrichBrakefield.com

I shall never forget what John 15:7,8 taught me. Pray believing. The desire of our hearts could be a heartbeat away.

Thank you Catherine for sharing your story with us!

Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 3 of 4)

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Posted on June 8, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

What did you learn to eat that you didn’t eat before entering the military life?

Grits. I always eat them with our eggs to this day!

What habit did you learn in the mlitary and still do?

I learned to pack efficiently and in a hurry!

Any Friends do you remember? Do you still keep in touch?

Yes, I made many new friends. However, we did not keep in touch. My husband’s family welcomed me into their home and were are all very close.

Missing home–how did you cope?

I was never away from my home for long, we decided on a plan of making a new life after my husband’s service time, that I would keep my job and save up for a house.

How did military life change you for better? For worse?

I shall never forget when I lived in an apartment next to a group of marines. We were not married at this time. He lived on base. President Nixon had just closed Hanoi, North Vietnam ports. Those Marines cheered! I watched some tanks roll down the streets, and what people knew about this, lined the sides of the streets cheering. We all felt it in the air–that the war had a chance of finally ending. And it did, sadly, not to what Americans hoped for.

I never even knew at the time that Russia and China were using those Nam ports to arm the communist soldiers. I learned a lot in Hawaii about the Vietnam War and will never forget this. I think fake news really began its conception back in the 1970’s.

How do you think the military life affect your kids?

My children and grandchildren have learned from our experiences during the Nam era.

Would you advise your kids to join the military?

If they feel God prompting them to do so, I would not stand in their way. However, my grandchildren do not endorse President Biden, so I doubt this will happen.

Thank you, Catherine! Stay tuned for Part 4!

Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 2 of 4)

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Posted on June 6, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

Tell us about Love in the Military

I met my husband flying from Los Angeles to Hawaii on vacation. He had visited his family in Birmingham Alabam, and was on his way back to the Main Island, as he called Oahu.

We got married while he was on active duty, at Our Lady of Sorrows church in Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii. My family came and we had a wonderful reception at the Polynesian Palace where Don Ho sang. From our balcony we had a lovely view of Diamond Head.

Tell us about Faith in the Military

When we met, I saw no way our marriage would work. After all, he was from Alabama, and I was from Michigan. It took a believing faith to think a marriage like ours would succeed. John 15:7 was my sustaining verse, “…if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you w ill be My disciples.” (NKJV)

After a year or so of letter writing and he spending his leaves with my family and I with his, some fifteen months later, we decided to get married on June, 1972. A thte time he had one year left in the service. I tel l about this faith-experience in depth in my published short story, and I shall explain more in depth in part 4 of these interviews. Through trials, tears, and our fifty years, God has been our Faithful Companion.

How do you think the military life affected your marriage?

It made us both aware of family more. And we cherished the time we spent together. We also became more conscience about current events and voting for Christian beliefs are a valuable commodity to American freedoms.

Thank you, Catherine! Stay tuned for part 3 of Catherine’s interview!

Catherine’s Story: Military Spouse (Part 1 of 4)

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Posted on June 1, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

What Branch of Service and When?

My husband, James was in the Navy for four years, as a Cryptologic Technician, E-3. He is retired now.

Where You Able to Have a Career While He Served

I was able to work as a Purchasing Agent while my husband served.

How Long Have You Been Married?

We have been married for 50 years. We were married for a year when my husband served in Naval Intelligence during the Vietnam era. During the last six months of his duty, he was stationed on the Ticonderoga and was involved in the historical event when the Apollo 15 astronauts David R. Scott, Alfred Wordeo, and James Irwin splashed down successfully after twelve days from their moon landing mission.

How Did You Deal with Fear/Stress of deployment?

My husband was well protected due to his naval status. He was not allowed to go to Nam during his four years.

During the Viet Nam era, everyone had a limited time of duty. Navy was four years; Army was two years. It was not like World War I and II when your service man had to stay in duty until the war’s end and my husband was not in a war zone.

Best Advice to Give a Young Spouse with Kids?

Write letters and send photos. Calls might not be possible but letters are the lifeblood of every serviceman as it is yours.

Best and/or Worst Thing About Being a Military Spouse and Why?

The lost time together. it is hard to plan for your future when part of you is deployed in another part of the world.

Where did You and Your Spouse Live Before He Joined the Service? Where Do You Live Now?

My husband was from Birmingham, Alabama and I was from Warren, Michigan. Now we live in Addison Twp., Michigan.

Were You Ever Stationed with Your Spouse During His Military Career?

I stayed with my husband for a couple of weeks first in Hawaii, and later, when we were married, in San Diego.

What Did You Do to Make Your New Quarters “Home?”

I brought throw rugs and lots of pictures ot make the apartment and our bungalow more “homey.”

What Traditions Did You Continue No Matter Where You Lived?

Going to church and enjoying date times.

Duty Stations: Best and Worst.

Our favorite place to live was San Diego. It was a little bungalow that was close to the beach. We had a Christian family which really made us feel at home.

Favorite Memory

When he was stationed in Hawaii I got to see many off-tourist sites. For instance, the place the Japanese flew over to bomb Pearl Harbor. There was a huge white cross erected in its place. I remember feeling like an ant staying next to that. I also watched many natives do impromptu dances. They were so talented! I could never sway my hips the way they can.

Thank you for sharing Catherine! Stay tuned for part 2 of 4 of this interview!

Conversation with a Vietnam Era Navy Wife – Catherine Brakefield

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Posted on May 30, 2023 by DeeDee Lake

Please forgive the audio on this video. Had a bit of a snafu on my trip back to Colorado from Texas. When I got my normal microphone out 45 minutes before the interview, I realized it was bumped up. Yep. It was not going to work. So, plan B was a lesser-quality microphone.

No worries if you don’t catch it all. We will be posting pictures and other questions in our blog very soon that Catherine so graciously shared with Susan and me.

As you can see we have Book 3 cover revealed. We can hardly wait for you to read Book 3 in the Rules of Engagement Series, a sweet military romance.

Hope you enjoy hearing how Catherine and her Navy husband became man and wife!

https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Allegiance-Military-Romance-Engagement/dp/1936501805

Jeff’s Story: The Military and Advice (Part 3 of 3)

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Posted on February 28, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

Is the military better or worse now?

It’s certainly different. When I joined, it was a ‘family’. At several of my duty stations, we all knew each other’s spouse, children, the layout of each other’s house, etc. We had parties together; we celebrated births and anniversaries together. Now, at least in my last few units, at the end of the day, it was a race to get out of the parking lot and get back home. The family feeling is gone.

What advice you you give someone thinking of joining the military

The advice I would give anyone getting ready to join the military is this. Every duty station is going to be what you make it. If you go in with a bad attitude towards it, it’s going to be the pits. If you go into it with an upbeat attitude, it will most likely be the best place you can remember. Also, you can learn something from every supervisor you have. Watch, listen and learn. You will either learn how to do something, or how NOT to do something.

The branch of service is going to depend on their personality, interests, and skillsets.

Where was your favorite place?

Favorite place to live would easily be southeastern Arizona. There’s pretty much something for everyone to do there.

What was the hardest time you had in the military?

Toughest time was when I was sent to Washington DC after the January 6 event. I was there only 3 months, but saw more hardship than I care to remember. Not hardship for myself, other than 12 hour long workdays and working strictly nightshifts, I had it pretty decent. The hardship I saw were the many homeless camps all over. I still wonder how someone could be in the position to do something about it and not appear to lift a finger. Some of these camps were just outside the fence surrounding the buildings of Congress!

Do you still have friends from your military days?

I still have several friends from the military that I keep in touch with.

How did you manage missing home?

The times that I did miss home were almost always around holidays and birthdays. Phone calls and pictures were what got me through.

Thank you, Jeffery for sharing your story with us!

Jeff’s Story: Military Life (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on February 23, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

What was your best or worst assignment?

It is almost impossible to pick one for either of them. They all had extremely great times and memories, as well as low points. It all depended on the attitude you had going in to them. “The job is what you make it”.

Where is “home?”

Home before: Kirby Texas, then Hackettstown New Jersey.

Home now: Bridgeville PA. Had never lived there before, but had visited on one of my Instructor TDYs. (Temporary Duty)

How did military life change you?

Military life does change everyone. For me, it helped me learn to deal with adversity and hardship. It taught me that not everyone comes from the same background and upbringing. You rapidly learn how to adjust your point of view and try and see things from a different perspective. You learn to try and ensure the mission is completed as quickly and as safely as possible, while still trying to ‘take care of the troops’. Some things can’t be done safely. There is always a risk involved. All you can do is try your best to mitigate the risk. It also made me learn how to put my feelings on the back burner sometimes. That can be a bad thing at times, because you don’t think about the feelings of the other guy. Sometimes you can’t. The job needed to be done, regardless of conditions. This can make you appear as uncaring, and unapproachable. It got too easy to become ‘cold’.

Did you see combat?

I was never directly involved in a combat situation, for which my mother will be eternally grateful. I do know many who were though.

Why did you leave?

I left because I reached mandatory retirement age. I would have easily stayed longer if allowed.

Thank you, Jeffrey! Stay tuned for his final post on his thoughts about the military.

Jeff’s Story: Military Brat to Military Man (Part 1 of 3)

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Posted on February 21, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

What Branch of service are you connected to?

Air Force (13 years Active duty)

Army (29 years Natl Guard)

How are you connected to the military?

I was raised as a military brat and become a service member in both the Air Force and then the Army. I served from July 1979 – Aug 2021 and achieved the rank of E8 – Master Sergeant. I’m currently retired.

Why did you join?

I joined, because I felt a calling to serve. My father was military from when I was born up until I was about 12. You could say it was ‘in my blood’.

What did you do in the Military?

In the Air Force I did the following jobs: Titan II missile facility electrician, Communication / Navigation Systems repair on B-52 and KC-135 aircraft, Flight line Maintenance Control, Instructor for Maintenance on Comm/Nav sys for B-52 and KC-135 aircraft

In the Army: TOW Anti-tank missile launchers repair, Heavy Tracked vehicle maintenance, Satellite communications systems operator, Platoon Sergeant, Division level Signal operations control, Battalion level Senior Signal Non Commissioned Officer (NCO)

Were you ever deployed?

Deployments: 2 Both to Germany. The first I was flying supplies into Sarajevo during the Yugoslavian split (3 months) a nd the second was post 9/11 security for several US military facilities in Germany (9 months).

Thank you Jeffrey for sharing! Stay tuned for part 2!

Joan’s story: Military Spouse

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Posted on February 16, 2023 by Susan M. Baganz

How was life as a Military Wife?

I did not have a career during my husband’s 12 years of service because I was busy raising our children and we never knew when we would be transferred to another base. People were hesitant to hire military spouses because of the expense of training and then we’d move on.

Deployment was always in the back of our mind. It was not a questions of if but when you would be separated and for how long. Who would help us in time of need and where would we end up living because base housing was not available if the military person was gone.

The best you could do for yourself was to plan ahead for the “what do I do if’s”. Then when they happen you have an idea in mind and can proceed relatively smoothly.

How was life when he was deployed?

When my husband was sent to Vietnam, I moved from Pennsylvania back to Wisconsin to be close to my family. I got my own apartment and cared for my 2 kids. He was gone for 1 year and I knew he was in constant danger. He was good about sending a letter every week but at one point I didn’t hear anything for over 45 days. That was the longest time in my life. I contacted the Red Cross who located him to confirm he was alive but in an area that he could not get or send any mail.

How was it when he would return?

When he came home we were sent to Fort Sam Houston Texas where we finally had some stability. We bought our first home and stayed there for 12 years. By then John had obtained the rank of Staff Sgt and was an instructor in the medical detachment. At each place you live you try to make your quarters look like home but it never really happens because you don’t put a lot of money into decorations that you probably won’t be able to take to the next place. The military would come in and pack your household belongings and ship them to the next location. But they could take up to a month to arrive so you need help getting started again.

What did you love or hate about being a military wife?

The hardest thing for me was making friends only to have to leave them behind. But while you are together they become your family. You celebrate holidays together and comfort each other through hard times. It truly is a life you love or hate. There is no middle ground. You grow up in a hurry, find courage you didn’t know you had, and try to hold the family together. You know that God is watching over you and that’s all you can really depend on. It’s not a life for weaklings.

Thank you, Joan for sharing!