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This column is the first in a series focusing on Army Wives and their sacrifices.  Devon Connaroe, who drew from conversations with six Army Wives, coauthors the series, which will feature a list of "Top Things Not To Say To The Spouse of a Deployed Soldier."

The U.S. Army is the strongest army in the world, in part, because we have the most thorough training. 
 
Every Soldier is a rifleman first, receiving extensive marksmanship training and practice at firing ranges.  Combat lifesaver training ensures that every Soldier has the ability at a minimum to stop blood loss, initiate an intravenous infusion, and treat penetrating chest trauma.  Other specialty training may include room clearing or airborne operations. 

My military transition team of 11 men spent three months 24/7 training at Fort Riley, Kansas on how to mentor and advise the Iraqi Army prior to our deployment.  Meeting, building a relationship with, and influencing a foreign army is a skill that takes time to develop.
 
Regardless if a Soldier’s specialty is infantry, artillery, cook or quartermaster, the goal of the Army training doctrine is to instill methods to the point of muscle memory.  Whether reacting to enemy fire or treating causality, a Soldier’s training will allow him or her to react immediately without actively considering the next step.
 
A Soldier must be able to execute quickly under the pressure of combat where the lives of their comrades and success of the mission are dependent on the Soldier reacting quickly and appropriately.
 
While Soldiers take pride in the importance of their service, they do not see themselves as heroes.  To an American Soldier, performing the task that the Army trained him to do is his duty to his country and his comrades.  The dedication of the men and women in our armed services to our duties set us apart from that of other nations.
 
As Soldiers, we make the sacrifices required of us to perform the duties for which we volunteered.  However, the most difficult sacrifice is separation from our Families, Wives and Children.  A train-up of three months followed by a deployment of 12 months equates to 15 months of nearly uninterrupted separation—a deep sacrifice, especially for the Army Wives, who themselves did not volunteer.