BAUMHOLDER, Germany - "I'm Lesa Hill and I created the Post-it ... not really, but I feel I have made a difference in my community and I have kept myself busy during my husband's deployment," said Lesa Hill, spouse of Spc. Joseph Hill, Company C, 47th Forward Support Battalion.
Hill is a prime example of a military family member who has achieved independence and has made positive use of her time overseas.
Being a spouse of a Soldier who is deployed for 15 months can be challenging while overseas. Many spouses return to the United States while others stay and choose to make a life for themselves at their overseas duty station. Each spouse decides which option is right for him or herself.
"I thought I was prepared for the deployment until the day it happened," said Hill. "It was hard the first couple of months and then I kept thinking he was in the field so that made it a little bit better. But the whole reality that he was not was hard to grasp," said Hill.
This is the first deployment in Hill's five years of marriage.
"At first I felt alone and mad at the Army. I knew the deployment was going to happen, but it didn't hit me until he was really gone," said Hill. "I have surrounded myself with a bunch of fabulous people. I would name them all but there are too many. My friends are the ones who have helped me; it makes it easier that I am around many spouses who are going through the same thing," she said.
Hill has become involved in many organizations and has taken advantage of what the Baumholder community has to offer. She filled her time by working at the Arts and Crafts Center for eight months before the deployment and then took a break from work when the deployment started. The deployment gave her motivation to improve her health by working out almost every day and taking classes offered through the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Sports and Fitness Program.
Hill has participated in Boot Camp, a fitness program that has given spouses the opportunity to rise to the challenge and train to pass a Physical Training test.
Tamara Gray, Boot Camp instructor, said the first Boot Camp fitness class was a 12-week, two-hour, twice-a-week class that incorporated cardio, resistance training and calisthenics into a military style workout.
"The program is designed to push people to do things they never thought they could do. We had many goals for this program - some were measureable, and some were not," Gray said. "We measured their success with a PT test and weight loss. Some of the other goals were to make new friends and to develop a healthy lifestyle.
When first attending the fitness class Hill was hesitant. "What did I get myself into'" said Hill. "I feel fantastic about Boot Camp now. I'm happy with my improvements. I lost 15 pounds."
Hill said she is fortunate to have met her cousin, Kim Lauzon, Army spouse, while stationed in Baumholder. The had never met before meeting in Baumholder. Lauzon and Hill took the Boot Camp class together.
"It is amazing that we met here of all places. Maybe it was fate. Lesa and I have become really close and have helped one another through the deployment during the hard times and the good times," said Lauzon. "Having a relative here is great and makes it feel more like home."
Since the class Hill has lost an additional 50 pounds.
She participated in the Spouses Challenge in 2008 and is planning on taking the 2009 Spouses Challenge this month. She has taken yoga, spin and is looking forward to taking the next salsa class. Hill took part in the Breast Cancer Awareness five-kilometer walk/run in October 2008 and is planning on attending the Fallen Soldier Memorial five-kilometer run the end of May.
Besides Hill's fitness goals, she has become a Family Readiness Group co-leader for her husband's unit, is part of the Casualty Assistance and Readiness Team through Army Community Service and is a member of the Baumholder Community Spouses Club.
"I don't do it because I need to; I do it because the family members and Soldiers deserve it," said Hill.
She added that she feels as if she has changed during the deployment in a positive way. "I am more independent and can make my own decisions while my husband has been deployed. I have met more people during the deployment than I did before my spouse left. The long lasting friendships I have made will make it hard to leave."
Hill's respect has grown for not only Soldiers, but for family members of Soldiers, she said, adding that deployments are hard to prepare for - not knowing exactly what to expect or if something will happen and be life changing. That is what gets her through the difficult times, she said.
"I have learned the community comes together during a deployment. I didn't know that there were so many different organizations that are willing and able to help. It made life a little easier," said Hill.
"Being away from your spouse and having to rely on yourself are the biggest challenges for me during this deployment. I have noticed I am more self-reliant now," said Hill.
If Hill had to give advice to a spouse new to military life, she would say, "Here's my favorite quote, 'Expect nothing, be prepared for everything.' If your husband wants to do something crazy with his career just let him. Stand by him and be a supportive spouse because you won't regret it in the long run. You should tell him everything even if it is uncomfortable.
"Be open because it will help your marriage and your relationship. It will bring you closer," she said.
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