What is the role of the modern military spouse?

MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE that there is life as a civilian and life as a soldier. However, what most people don't realize is that there is something in-between: a soldier's spouse. Though the spouses to men and women in uniform may not be very visible to the rest of the world, they are without a doubt an integral part of the military and perhaps the pillars that hold the whole institution together. Further, military spouses are usually organized into clubs or associations comprised mostly of the wives to officers and soldiers. Of course, there are some who still hold the view that spouses' clubs are redundant remnants of the past and when the thought of them comes to mind, they imagine women holding rowdy parties, engaged in chitter-chatter and discussing their husbands ranks. However, in modern times, nothing could be far from the truth.

At this point, a few things require clarity before proceeding with this exposition. Firstly, the fact that this article focuses mainly on army wives and ladies' clubs does not imply that there are no male army spouses. However, male civilian spouses are very few as many female officers and soldiers are married to other military personnel. Secondly, it must be borne in mind that coming from different socio-economic and geographic backgrounds, with varying professions and lifestyles, variations in the category of 'army spouses' do exist as in other segments of society. Furthermore, there is no denying that in some instances, especially when under poor leadership, spouses' clubs have developed their own hierarchical networks with cliques and status grabbing which has made them less effective and unappealing for new members.

Notwithstanding, today, most spouses' clubs serve a greater purpose than simply affording members an opportunity to socialize, connect with others, participate in fun activities, or make new friends. Internally, these clubs provide strong support structures and are first in line to help members when their partners are deployed, when they have a family problem or in the event of sickness or death. Externally, spouses' clubs are engaged in several activities including community service aimed at improving and uplifting the conditions of the needy and underprivileged in society. Many spouses' groups utilize money from fundraising or operating thrift stores or other avenues to fund scholarships and other charitable donations. For example, established in 1983, the Nepalese Army Wives' Association (NAWA) is one of the largest voluntary organizations in Nepal that seeks to fulfil the range of societal obligations through social empowerment and skills building of spouses and dependents of army personnel.

NAWA is well known for providing education, primary literacy to the daughters as well as wives of combatants. It also provides scholarships and runs a Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in the areas of skills and computer training, agriculture and culinary classes.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association (NAOWA) has been described as the most powerful women's organization in the country. Established over four decades ago, the organization has been in the vanguard of the provision of community health centres to complement the health care delivery services and carefully designed welfare programmes that are targeted at women, youths, children and the less privileged in Nigeria.

In Zambia, each unit in the Army has its own spouse's club superintended over by Zambia Army Ladies Club based at Army Headquarters in Lusaka. Some of the objectives of these Clubs include: establishment of Home Craft Centers in military cantonments and other residential areas; adoption and tenancy of wards in military hospitals; promotion of social and cultural amenities; uniting members of the military communities; and creating and promoting an enabling working environment for officers and other ranks in the army. Zambia Army Ladies Club has in the past spearheaded the construction of health and education facilities in military cantonments which equally service surrounding areas.

Examples are the construction of maternity wings at Mupepetwe and Kohima Barracks and the construction of a nursery school at Arakan Barracks. In recent years, the Club has been hailed for their work and in November 2019, the Club received commendation from the First Lady Esther Lungu for supplementing governments efforts in improving health care service delivery in the country. Zambia Army Ladies Club also collaborates with sister clubs from neighbouring countries such as Malawi and share best practices on how army spouses' clubs can make a difference.

All in all, the rationale behind the impetus by military spouses' clubs to support the work of their husbands is the belief that no nation can rise to the height of greatness unless women work side by side with men. Viewed aright, spouses' clubs are the invisible hand that shape the punch of any army.