Fort Bragg spouses experience military camaraderie

By Tina Ray/ParaglideMay 13, 2011

Fort Bragg spouses experience military camaraderie
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - "I'm looking forward to jumping; can't wait," said Patti Notine, an Army spouse, in anticipation of zipping down a line at the 34-foot jump tower off Longstreet Road, Friday. "I'm going for my jump wings," Notine said.

"Too bad they're not foreign jump wings," replied fellow Army spouse, Morgan Catlin.

"I know, but I'll take any," Notine said.

The two women were chatting back and forth during a faux stained glass, crafting class Thursday at the Soldier Support Center. The class was one of several activities offered during Fort Bragg's Military Spouse Day Conference 2011, coordinated by Army Community Service. The two-day conference took place Thursday and Friday.

Catlin, who is married to Pfc. Michael Catlin, of the 2nd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, said she enjoys her life as a new military spouse and has enjoyed meeting a lot of great people.

Catlin learned about the conference from a friend who had seen it on the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation website, she said.

Marci Kay Cornwell has been an Army spouse for 17 years. She likes mentoring the new wives, she said.

Participating in the conference has its advantages.

"It lets you meet other wives, so you know you are not alone," Cornwell said.

Her efforts seem to be appreciated.

According to Catlin, the extended camaraderie fosters a feeling of sisterhood.

"I just love it. I love that all the spouses get together and we can come from different units, but we're all connected because we're military spouses," said Notine.

Military Spouse Day has long been offered on Fort Bragg to give spouses a glimpse of what their servicemember experiences.

According to Catherine Mansfield, Installation Volunteer Services, as many as 70 spouses were expected to participate Thursday and about 72 on Friday.

Thursday's activities included fun workshops like faux stained glass crafting, jewelry beading and building shell wreaths to bring out the spouse's creativity. Friday not only incorporated the jump tower exercise, but morning physical training, as well as a final formation and dismissal.

"It's just an opportunity to bring them (spouses) together so they can meet others and have a lot of fun," Mansfield said.