Voices of Service: Meet Roxanne, a Military Spouse Stationed in Norway

Welcome to the USO’s Voices of Service Q&A Series. Through this series, we aim to give service members and military family members a platform to share their personal stories through Q&A interviews. By shining a light on their individual experiences, you can better understand and empathize with the people who serve and get to know them on a personal level.

Meet Roxanne, a military spouse stationed in Norway with her family, where she also volunteers with her local USO and is responsible for her Center’s USO2GO requests, Coffee Connections programs and USO Programs in a Box.

1. What is the most rewarding part of being a military spouse and how has it shaped your perspective on life?

The most rewarding part of being a military spouse is the exposure to diverse cultures, travel and the adaptability it has taught me. Frequent moves to different parts of the country and the world have allowed me to experience new cultures, customs and perspectives, broadening my understanding and appreciation for diversity. Each relocation has come with the challenge of starting fresh, which has honed my adaptability and made me more flexible to change. This lifestyle has taught me to embrace new experiences with an open mind.

2. What have been some of the challenges of life in the military and how have you learned to navigate them?

As a military spouse, a reoccurring challenge I have faced is employment availability. I have navigated through this challenge by finding my purpose through volunteering within the military community and the local community.

3. What does “home” mean to you, given the frequent relocations that come with military life?

With six moves in seventeen years, I have come to learn “home” is where my children and husband land. Sometimes “home” is a hotel, a short-term apartment, or in a beautiful house. “Home” has shifted from being a single location to the sense of togetherness we create, no matter where life leads us.

During this holiday season, Roxanne and her family will be navigating being far away from their extended family. | Photo credit Courtesy Photo

4. As the holidays approach, how do you stay connected to loved ones who may be deployed or far away?

Keeping in touch with loved ones during the holidays can be difficult. We do our best to keep in contact by sending care packages, holiday cards, schedule a FaceTime call, and have even done a virtual holiday celebration.

5. If you have a child(ren), how do you deal with the challenges of solo parenting when your spouse is deployed or traveling? Do you have any advice for other parents in similar situations?

Solo parenting while my husband is away comes with many challenges. I have learned to deal with these challenges by allowing grace — both for myself and for my children. Accepting that not everything will go perfectly and that there will be difficult days. It’s important to be patient with myself, understanding that juggling everything alone can be overwhelming.

Allowing grace also extends to the kids, recognizing that they may express their own emotions in different ways. I try to create a space where it’s okay for everyone to have off days, moments of frustration, or times when we need extra comfort and reassurance. This perspective helps me maintain a more compassionate and realistic approach to solo parenting, making the experience more manageable.