Military Balls (bit of a vent)

[MPwifey]

I am just jealous!!!!! There have been only 3 balls held in whichever unit my DH has been in, however-

1st- We were not technically at the base yet as he was on TDY when the ball was held
2nd- We got orders to move 2 days before the ball
3rd- There was a ball the weekend after my husband deployed ( It was a brigrade ball, not a unit one)

We bought tickets twice, the first were 60 total- and you could have childcare for an extra 20. The second time was 50 total and included childcare.

I am sorry it is so much money to go. I am hoping that I get to go at some point.

 

[Ariel on Land]

Ok, granted I haven't read all the posts, but I just have to say after spending over $300 on a dress uniform for DH I WISH we would have a ball he could wear it to! He's worn the stinkin' thing ONCE in 5 years..... So in a sense, I'm kinda jealous!!


Now, back to the OP-- I agree, that is asking quite a bit. I too, don't understand why they can't have it on base.

 

[lovesmurfs]

National Guard wife (20+ years). We used to take the kids to the hotel with us when they were younger. We'd ask around ahead of time and pay a teen who was coming with their parents -- they'd watch the kids in the room, and it saved buckets of money while giving the kids a mini-vacation, too.

When we first got married the balls seemed to be a huge thing -- there were several that DH just went to alone (as a PP said, just to use his mess dress!).

Best wishes -- have a good time if you go.

 

[rparmfamily]

I'm a navy widow and as far as the "uniform allowance covering the expenses" that is a load of crap. My husband was enlisted and it didn't even cover HALF of what he needed.

OP - You have been given some awesome ideas from people on the board. I personally never went to any of the balls because my husband was enlisted and we didn't feel the need to go, so we didn't. Now, if he is an officer and is required to be there I'd just simply make him go and you can stay home with the kids.

LOL, ditto!! And how many uniforms does the Navy have? 4? 5? Sheez, plus all new ones this year!! (new digital blue camis, new working,etc) PLUS for us to go, DH would have to get all the medals. We've never gone to a Navy ball, but we aren't going this year. Out of our budget!

For the Navy, it's always at a hotel (in Waikiki in our case) and about $80 a ticket, and luckily DH's command covers childcare. But still, with the medals, my dress, shoes, purse, make-up, hair (I don't normally wear any makeup and I have no idea on hair), undergarments,etc it would be very expensive as well. And like the other poster mentioned, they'd end up talking about WORK anyway LOL!! That's what ALWAYS happens when you get a few military guys together!

 

[DisneyWisher]

OP this suggestion is coming from a single mom. Is there possibly a friend or neighbor of yours that is a single mom that would babysit for you for say $50-$75 for the night? I'm sure she could use the extra money and you are not asking for a favor since you are paying her. If it was me you were asking, I'd do it and have a big sleepover in the living room, everyone in the same room. Kids would have a ball. Least it would cut the babysitting bill in half. Just a thought.

 

[wtccheermom]

Well I have a dirty little secret!!! The last three balls we have had to attend have been with three different brigades and I have worn the same dress all three times. I like to call it old faithful and at one of the some of the same people were there and they had done the same! I get tons of compliments on the dress and have definitely gotten my monies worth. I cannot believe child care is costing that much usually the charge the same price they do for hourly care. Talking about uniform expenses has anyone else’s husband had to buy the dress mess jacket yet? Talk about and expensive ugly little jacket!!!

 

[VirataMama4]

LOL, ditto!! And how many uniforms does the Navy have? 4? 5? Sheez, plus all new ones this year!! (new digital blue camis, new working,etc)

I almost spit out my coffee all over my netbook, while reading this! Right?!? Really how many uniforms does 1 man need? There is NO way that the clothing allowance covers any where close to what we've had to put out for uniforms, especially the past year! Gotta love the Navy!

 

[hmdavid]

Talking about uniform expenses has anyone else’s husband had to buy the dress mess jacket yet? Talk about and expensive ugly little jacket!!!

It is AWFUL! I have so many friends who think their husbands look so nice in the dress mess... I hate when mine wears his!

 

[mistysue]

I wish I had a ball to go to. I married a professor and he goes to all sorts of formal things, but not that sort of formal.

That is a ton of money though. I would totally be wearing a dress from the good will store, but then again I was the type who did that at my senior prom. (at a private school, so it wasn't something you could tell people)

 

[jsmith]

The last three balls we have had to attend have been with three different brigades and I have worn the same dress all three times.

Oh heck-i had two that i alternated between for several years-we go to about 3 or 4 things a year-three for hubby and one for me ( im a civilian employee of 4th ID)-and no one remembers what you wore last year unless it was hot pink or bright yellow. I got a new one this year because ive lost some weight and hubby has wanted me to wear an artillery red one instead of my standard black or navy blue-he kind of did an end run around me -got me to try it on when i was trying on dresses for my sons wedding and then went a bought it for me-so im wearing it
I think the mess dress jackets look silly-regular blues-not the new ASUs-are great-forunately the wear out for the old style blues in the Guard is not til 2014 and hubby says he wont spend the money to buy ASUs he will wait for them to be issued. Considering what we have spent on uniforms over time -im all about that-besides-i dont really like the way they look.

 

[wtccheermom]

It is AWFUL! I have so many friends who think their husbands look so nice in the dress mess... I hate when mine wears his!

That and the Calvary Stetson hat make me laugh!! My husband is in cavalry brigade right now and when he has to wear that hat I cannot help but point and laugh it is ridiculous. Besides that he is Field artillery so the only obnoxious thing that should be added to his uniform are red suspenders and socks!

 

[jsmith]

red suspenders and socks!

and a red bow tie -LOL

 

[connie1042]

My husband had 23 years in total and we went to 3 balls.Then I said no more. I do not enjoy listening to military stuff. I do not like dressing up for it.I would rather have a picnic with all the families. The food was never very good and it just was not fun. We still get together with a lot of his service friends, and we have a lot more fun now then we ever did at any ball!

 

[jsmith]

[QUOTEit just was not fun][/QUOTE]
I think this is the difference between Guard and AD balls-my husband drills in the state we both grew up and went to HS in-and its a state with a small population-most of the Field Grades and Sr NCOS are people we have literaly known most of our lives-we always have a great time-yeah you get the dry military stuff-listening to the Govenor-whom you cant vote for because you live in another state-speak. but some of the ceremony can be fun if you let it-and its always a time to get together with friends we havent seen in a while and catch up-and they frequent morph into a night on the town in places other than the hotel.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

That and the Calvary Stetson hat make me laugh!! My husband is in cavalry brigade right now and when he has to wear that hat I cannot help but point and laugh it is ridiculous. Besides that he is Field artillery so the only obnoxious thing that should be added to his uniform are red suspenders and socks!

I think the Mess Dress jackets look like some sort of waiter's uniforms.

DH still has his Stetson from 1st Cav - he loves it but I think it looks ridiculous. He looks like a Canadian mountie!

Put the man in his Dress Blues and watch out but the Mess and Stetson I can do without!

 

[Bren's Mom]

I think you have more than 2 babysitting options besides local teenager and base babysitting.

How about a local SAHM who might come over and babysit? Or an older person? Doesn't have to be a teen.

(FWIW, a local older HS or college student would be perfectly acceptable in my book.)

 

[wtccheermom]

and a red bow tie -LOL

i fortgot about the bow tie!!! When we first got married and he was a 2nd Lt our first couch we bought togther was FA red!!

 

[hmdavid]

i fortgot about the bow tie!!! When we forst got married adn he was a 2nd Lt our first couch we bought togther was FA red!!

I don't know who is designing for the military, but they should definitely consult the spouses for a few ideas!!!

 

[KelliLee702]

Being the wife of a NAVY Reservist I have gone to a few. Some were expensive and others were well within the budget. I have a collection of dresses that I rotate through. Our kids are a little older now and can stay home on their own. I do remember the days of forking out $100+ for a sitter! We have taken the kids with us to a hotel, too. They loved it!

I think the Dress Swap is a great idea! Maybe a bunch of the wives and do hair and nails, too. Have a little Pre-Ball Party for the wives? Share and swap accessories, too. I know I have borrowed dresses and accessories in the past, too. I have also had a friend do my make-up and nails!

Now it is one evening out that we do look forward to and budget for each year.

 

[crisi]

I think the Dress Swap is a great idea! Maybe a bunch of the wives and do hair and nails, too. Have a little Pre-Ball Party for the wives? Share and swap accessories, too. I know I have borrowed dresses and accessories in the past, too. I have also had a friend do my make-up and nails!

I wonder if in the "support the troops - our husbands could be deployed (or maybe were deployed)" spirit a beauty school wouldn't be willing to cut a deal for hair and nails.