Ep3: The Word "Dependa" in the current military culture w/ guest Ali Eddlem

On episode three, Ali Eddlem and I talk about the word "Dependa" in the current military culture. Ali is an Air Force wife of 2.5 years and a real life friend of mine. We first try to define the word dependa and I read the Urban Dictionary definition of the word. We talk through why the word is used mainly used to describe female military spouses keeping in mind that 92% of military spouses are female (Source).

We discussed its origins and why most people using this term are military spouses themselves. Are military spouses putting each other down to make themselves feel better?

Do people marry military members specifically for benefits and their spouses rank? Even Tricare's twitter leaned into the assumption that spouses marry for benefits titling a wedding day photo "you had me at Tricare." (Later apologizing, of course.)

And what is up with the facebook pages and subreddit threads dedicated to justifying using the word "dependa" and policing military spouses behaviors?

Salon.com article that mention. We talk about it all on the podcast this week!