At ease: Used as a command for troops to assume a relaxed position

So there I was: at a new post, an ineffective — to put it kindly — Family Readiness Group (FRG), lonely, away from my grown daughter and, quite frankly wilting. My husband was working so many hours we both agreed it would be easier if he were deployed (a sentiment echoed by many Drill Sergeant families).

Through the miracle of Facebook (that Mark Zuckerberg is quite the whippersnapper is he not?) I had met a few other DS wives. Once a month, I would see they would attend an AT*EASE event. I would often RSVP with every intention of going. Yet, never attended. I’m the Queen of Excuses (actually, I’m the Queen of Many things if you read through my blog. My Queendom is quite vast)

But I digress.

This past December, I attended my first AT*EASE event. Would it be too cliché to say my life here at Ft. Jackson changed after attending? Well if it is, let the cliché bell ring. Because that is exactly what happened, my dears.

I saw women in the same situation as I having genuine fun. Fun! Women I knew for a fact did not like each other were actually sitting at the same table and genuinely laughing and joking — WITH EACH OTHER!! It was amazing.

Here’s the most amazing part: This is not an Army-sponsored group. It was all started by one woman. Tiffany Moss.  Tiffany, too, was a Drill Sergeant wife. She saw a need, she filled it. She didn’t just whine and stomp her feet in frustration (though she might have done that too, who knows. She’s feisty). She took action. Her grass roots effort took off.

AT*EASE is now a two-year old program. I’m proud to say I am a big part of AT*EASE. The new director, Stacie Beecher, trusts me with tasks I sometimes don‘t feel I should be trusted with. In essences, I‘m finding myself again. After feeling lost and alone for so long, the one meeting was the catalyst for change.

AT*EASE is now taking off at Ft. Bliss and Ft. Carson thanks to Tiffany and another fabulous, amazing Army wife, Kasey Tanner.

If you’re currently at Ft. Jackson, our Facebook page can be found here.   If you are at Ft. Bliss or Ft. Carson, leave a comment and I can put you in touch with Tiffany or Kasey.

Tiffany Mitchell Moss, I’ve told you before, but you are an ICON. You’re amazing. You change lives without knowing it. Thank you, my friend.

　At ease: The condition of being comfortable or relieved.