In this episode of the With Pride and Grit podcast, guest Leslie Coffey joins host Jen Pasquale and shares her transition story as a military spouse. Leslie’s family is in the midst of this transition, and she discusses their real-time experiences, including the decision to be geographically separated and the struggles of finding a new home and navigating healthcare options.

 

 

The Coffey family had planned to retire to an RV and do road schooling with their children, but realized their 15-year-old son’s basketball career wouldn’t fit that lifestyle. This caused them to pivot their transition plans and select a permanent home, but the freedom to choose a location was overwhelming at first. Jen and Leslie discuss the challenges of setting up a home base and unexpected surprises during the transition, such as navigating healthcare outside of a military installation. Leslie shares the complexities of healthcare as a transitioning military family, from figuring out providers to understanding cost options.

 

 

This episode also touches on the impact of transition on military kids, who often struggle to adjust to stability. Leslie opens up about the impact on her children’s schooling and integrating her son into a non-military environment. The transition has provided a new perspective for Leslie’s son, exposing him to the struggles of families in his community, even in a safe community with a top-notch school district.