Solo-Ops: A Survival Guide for Military Wives

    Solo-Ops addresses the question "What's it going to be like?" and coaches the reader to deal with this reality. Not simply a dull explaination of benefits and procedure, but insider tips on dealing with deployment, Tri Care, your husband's changes, pay disasters and more. The most accurate and detailed depiction of the military and the sub-culture behind it.

After reading this book, it is very obvious to me that it was written for young wives of enlisted military. The majority of military wives fall in that category, and they are the ones who are most often left to fend for themselves with no idea of what military life is like. Who better to tell them what the military is like than someone who has been through it as a military wife herself? It is not a book full of "Hooah" military love, patriotic nonsense, proper conduct, and empty pride. It actually talks about what to expect when you are married to the military instead of place settings and political mumbo jumbo. It is a no nonsense approach to the military lifestyle as a wife, and does not in any way gloss over the every day headaches you will experience as a military wife.

I am a military wife, and have been for years. This book did me more good than the other books I have read full of pictures of rank and proper conversation at a party. If you want the real deal about how to handle life as a military wife, this is the book for you.

And by the way, I am not one of the author's friends. Imagine that, a strager giving her a good review!


Questions answered....finally.   April 22, 2003
Jessica Blakley (Florida)
6 out of 11 found this review helpful

I recieved this book this morning, and I've skimmed through almost the whole thing already. The thing I like most about Hilary's book, is it's truthful, she doesn't sugar coat military life. There's so many myths, and misconceptions out there about being IN the military, and reading this book helps not only the spouse of a service member, but the actual enlisted as well. I would recommend this book to everyone dealing with a military situation. Married, or not. I love it.


An insiders view into the military world   May 25, 2003
Jennifer (Las Vegas, NV USA)
6 out of 11 found this review helpful

Being that I have been a military wife now for 6 years I have learned the indide tricks of the trade. This book is full of wonderful information for those who have never been a military wife and for those who have been a wife for quite some time. I found a few things offensive, but then again the military can be offensive. This book is a great guide to the world of the military. I highly recommend this book to everyone, even if you are not in the military.


A good read if you stop and think for a moment...   March 16, 2006
MedicWife03
5 out of 10 found this review helpful

Okay, let me start by saying if you're looking for a book to carry in your purse and get you through day-to-day life - there isn't one out there. This covers basics, and generalizations - which, let's face it, all books of this genre do.
The author gives a humorous look into the military lifestyle and tells things like it really is. No, all of these situations will not apply to everyone - but some more than others. It's better to be prepared, right? And the biggest thing I have learned from being a military spouse - you have to learn to laugh about things. If you can't laugh about life, what's the point?
Some other reviewers have been quite harsh on the book, mostly on the basis of their own experiences. Personally, my husband and I have experienced a lot of the scenarios the author speaks of, and sometimes it's nice to know we aren't the only ones.
To anyone considering the purchase of this book, I do highly recommend it - but please - remember, it's not going to be exact to your life (nor will any other book on the market).


FINALLY....   May 11, 2003
9 out of 17 found this review helpful

FINALLY......a book geared directly towards the women that must put up with the military life style. Not many people acknowledge the hardships that we must go through and this book is great for anyone who has a spouse, boyfriend, or finace in the military. It gives an honest account of what you should and should not expect. I was the most impressed with the section on deployments;it was an outstanding interpretation and guide to deployments complete with a list of things to do to "survive" your time apart. Every single thing I read in this book related perfectly to my own experiances and my situation and I am extremely appreciative that there is a book like this out there. I wish I would have had it 4 years ago when I was new to the military!!!