Dating a girl that workouts more than you

There’s just something about a man in uniform that makes us swoon.

But what is it? What makes them different from the other men in our lives? Is dating a military man really that different? It certainly can be.

Here are some things you should know about dating a military man.

11 Things You Should Know About Dating a Military Man

…And how they are different from others.

Military men will have many similarities and many differences from other men you’ve dated. While you may not see all of these things at once, it’s good to know what to expect in particular situations before they happen, that way you are prepared.

1. They seem unpredictable.

As much as they want to stick to a schedule and be able to be home for every holiday, birthday, and celebration they just can’t promise this.

2. They can’t always be your first call.

We all want a significant other to be there at all times for us, the good and the bad. When you’re dating a military man, this isn’t always an option.

3. They don’t beat around the bush.

Communication is important in any relationship, but your military man will probably not sugar coat anything. Be prepared to learn to tell it to him straight.

4. They have some awesome stories.

Exaggerated or not, war stories are fun to listen to. Get ready to listen to the same few stories on repeat, especially when out with friends.

5. He’ll be pretty worldly.

One great thing about military men is that they are exposed to different cultures, places, and people. He’ll have a lot of knowledge about other areas and other ways of doing things

6. He’s defensive about you.

It’s so wonderful to have a military man by your side, figuratively and literally. You’ll find your own confidence increasing each time he takes your side or supports you through something.

7. He’s disciplined.

Perhaps in some ways more than others. And while you may think he’s only disciplined about work, you’ll soon see the other areas in his life that are structured, neat, and tidy. You don’t even have to get up at o’dark thirty to appreciate this in him.

8. He’ll appreciate your strength.

Chances are, this military man of yours is going to deploy or leave for training. He needs to know that you can handle everything while he’s gone. At the same time, he’ll want to know you miss him and greatly prefer it when he’s home.

9. He’ll speak a different language sometimes.

Man, the acronyms and terminology are so hard to keep up with! You’ll catch on quick, and sometimes, it doesn’t even matter what it means, just listening is what he wants.

10. He is part of a package deal.

His friends, his brothers, they come with him. Be prepared for late nights with all the guys. Understand that he’ll drop everything if they need him. Remember this devotion is what you love about him.

11. They have secrets.

Sometimes, they can’t tell us what’s going on at work, and sometimes they don’t want to. Either way, the secrets he’s keeping are not a reflection of his trustworthiness. There are some things he just can’t tell you, and you’ll soon learn not to ask.

How to deal with a military boyfriend.

As you date a military man, you may see some changes in yourself as well. You’ll start to learn what you can really handle, and what is important to you.

Here are some things you may soon discover.

1. This is a relationship of sacrifices.

If you’re dating a military man, there are times it will feel like your life comes second. Your education or career may be at the bottom of the list of priorities. Your reaction to these times will give you an idea as to how the future may look.

2. You will worry!

“No news is good news” is the mantra of military spouses everywhere, and you should quickly adopt this too. Deployments are hard, trainings can be scary, and when you don’t hear from him in awhile you start to worry. Try not to let this get the better of you.

3. People just will not understand.

There are people out there who are going to think you’re crazy for dating a military man. These people may include your mother. But you can’t help who you fall in love with, so try not to take it personally.

4. You may not always fit in. 

Years ago there was a big separation between military spouses and those who were “just dating” a service member. The community has come a long way, but even still there may be times when you don’t feel you fit in. Try anyway! Make some friends, be polite to everyone, and listen more than you speak.

5. You’re going to be lonely.

No matter how close you are to family, you’re going to feel like you’re in a different world. People outside the military community just don’t understand what it’s like to date a military man. They think movies show it all, but you’ll quickly learn that’s not true. And sometimes you’ll be lonely, even if you’re in your hometown.

6. You can do this.

When you first start dating a military man you may think there’s no way you can handle a deployment, a move, or anything else the military will send your way. But know this, you can, and you will.

How do you maintain a military relationship?

You + Him + Military = Three in a Relationship

Ask any military spouse or long-term significant other and you’ll discover there are always three in a military relationship. “His mistress” is the one that seems to get priority over everything. And when you know this, it is a lot easier to maintain a military relationship.

1. The military comes first.

There is really no way around this one. If the military needs him, he will go. He’ll answer the phone on date night and leave in the middle of your sister’s wedding. He has to, so try not to hold it against him.

2. You need to be the flexible one.

Knowing that the military will come first, there may be things you can do to make it easier on your relationship. If you have children or pets, know that sometimes you’re going to have to take all of the responsibility. It’s just how it goes sometimes.

3. It’s not his commander’s fault either.

It’s so easy to blame “the boss” for the times your military man is called away. But the boss is also leaving his family behind to go into work and he’s not happy about it either. Try not to hold a grudge.

4. There are so many rules.

And some of them even apply to you. While the military can’t make you do anything, they do have the right to enforce rules on the installation. It’s best to ask about these rules first so you can be aware and follow them.

5. Listening is important. Fixing is not.

When your military man comes home complaining about a bad day, he doesn’t want you to fix it. He wants you to listen, commiserate, and then tell him he’s wonderful. Suggestions like, “Find another job,” or “tell your boss he’s wrong,” are not helpful.

Dating a military man can be the best experience of your life.

These men are physically and emotionally strong, and they have a work ethic like no other. They’ve dedicated years of their lives to fight for our country, and they deserve an awesome woman like you by their side.

Frequently asked questions I get about dating a military man 🙂

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