The book has been nominated for the Non-Fiction—Memoir Award for 2011 by Military Writers Society of America.  See the review here.

When Shirley said “I will” at her wedding to Dave Forgan, she should have added “I’ll move.“

At the age of twenty-three, Shirley Dobbins married an air force jet fighter pilot and took off on a globetrotting adventure, from being a first lieutenant’s girlfriend to general’s wife. Shirley traveled with Dave, all while raising two boys and fulfilling all the duties of a military wife with a sense of humor and dedication. Readers will discover the life of a military wife, a lifestyle certainly not for sissies. It takes a special woman, willing to make sacrifices, but the rewards are remarkable. There are happy occasions, exciting travels, sad times, hilarious incidents, proud moments, and lifelong friends to be made. Military wives and mothers will find comfort and joy in these pages, and civilian women will gain insight into this exclusive world.

Join Shirley as she wings her way on this journey in Earning My Wings. It’s an unforgettable ride and delight.

Exerpts from the book:

REFLECTIONS
December 1958
What am I doing at twenty thousand feet over the Pacific Ocean, headed for a strange land, entrusting my life to a man I barely know—although just six short weeks ago he was declared my legal husband? I promised to love and obey, but do I really want to live a lifestyle of protocol and authority contrary to my upbringing? It’s too late to run home to Mommy.

HOLY SHITAKE!
Dave was apprehensive about my acceptance of our little off-base house in the rice paddies. When we approached the six hundred square feet of plywood and plaster, I forced myself to say, “Hey, it’s all right. What do we care? We’re on our honeymoon.” An Oscar-winning performance. I was happy my friends back in the U.S. couldn’t see it.

LITTLE DIXIE
I was skeptical and concerned about Bruce accepting Todd, but he patted his new baby brother on the head, like “nice doggy” and ran outside to play. So much for being jealous.

WAITING WIFE
While I fought my own battles on the home front, Dave flew as many missions as often as he could, aiming for the magic number of one hundred missions over North Vietnam—the price of a ticket home……. Figuring the odds, of the eight husbands of the waiting wives in McAlester, I wagered one wouldn’t make it……. They all made it.