I'm thankful for the Navy. Besides the fact that the Navy helps protect our country and keep us safe it also provides my husband with a steady job. It allows him to provide for his family. We have food, shelter, clothes, cars, insurance and some of our wants due to the paycheck he brings in. His job doesn't make us rich but it does meet our needs.
I'm also extremely thankful for Tricare. I can hear some of you milspouses laughing. Or groaning. Or thinking I need my head examined. But I'm serious. Yes, getting an appointment can be pain, as can waiting at the pharmacy. However, I had to get my own health insurance before marrying The Man. Thankfully I had a full time job as a teacher that provided health insurance. Monthly premiums came out of my paycheck and I had co-pays when I had a doctor's visit. I had to pay for medications. Not full price, but something. Since I married The Man I've been diagnosed with asthma. I had several appointments and had to have a lung function test. I have no idea what I that would have cost me in the civilian world. It still amazes me that I can go see the dr. and not have a co-pay. I still feel like I should be taking out my check book before I leave.
In early September I had a hacking cough. I managed to get an appointment for the next day. Amazingly it was my asthma (I was in denial up till them. Who gets diagnosed with asthma at 29?!?!?). They prescribed me 6 medications. SIX. I was extremely thankful that I was able to get them at the pharmacy at the hospital. Granted, I had to wait for about an hour (it's a great place to people watch). But not having to pay far outweighed that inconvenience. If I had had to pay for them I would have had to wait to get them. Money was a little tighter than normal that month and we had no money. I would have had to wait for the next paycheck. Instead I was able to get the medicines I needed and was able to start taking them that day. It's amazing. Yes, we don't pay so I guess that makes it free. But it is a benefit allowed to us due to The Man's job. He works hard for that benefit. I'm thankful that we don't have a co-pay. Tricare isn't perfect but it is an amazing benefit. It is one that I don't want to take for granted, especially since I've been on the civilian side without it as an adult.
I'm also thankful for the security we have. I don't live in fear that he's going to come home one day and tell me was laid off. He has a job. A good job. One that he enjoys (for the most part).
Don't get me wrong, there are some things about The Navy that drive me bonkers, like the crazy hours, the red tape, deployments...but this is about being thankful. And there are many good things that The Navy provides.
What are you thankful for today?
I'm so glad you posted this. Tricare is such a blessing. Just wait until you have a baby and don't have to pay any of that bill. I've always said insurance is something most military members take for granted. It's definitely something we talk about often as we are approaching the retirement phase.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day, friend. Tell your Sailor "thanks" from us as well. This is not an easy life, but some of us just have to make the best of it. :)
I feel the same way. One of the (few) things I love about the Army is the steady income. We never have to worry about whether we'll have a place to live or food to eat or going without heat. And the health care may be annoying to deal with but not having to pay copays on anything is awesome.
ReplyDelete