Summer Wilson was always taught that you go to school, you get an education and you get a good job to live the American dream. After she graduated from college, she had no idea that once she said "I do" to an active duty service member, she would transition into a world where education did not matter. This is the story of her perseverance to overcome the inequalities concerning employment opportunities for military spouses. Summer's story provides one explanation for the troop shortage in today's Army. She also provides insight to the projected civil service employment shortage in the next five years. As someone living the inefficiencies of the personnel system at the grassroots level, she is qualified to tell other military spouses how to avoid and overcome the inefficiencies.

Preface -- Introduction -- 1. Welcome to the Army! -- 2. What did I get myself into? The military lifestyle -- 3. Deployment and benefits -- 4. Your support system -- 5. Employment, military spouse preference (MSP) -- 6. Community resources -- 7. By faith -- References.