Media Reviews
"...often funny and always humane, an unexpected voice in a world long defined by ironclad rules and abhorrence of emotion"
- New York Times Magazine
"Smiley is so painfully honest that readers who’ve been there are likely to feel that old familiar hot flush of hysteria."
- The Virginian-Pilot
"...an Erma Bombeck for the military-wife set...[Smiley's] prose is simple and straightforward, and her humor is clever."
- Publishers Weekly
"Smiley's not afraid to question the tight-lipped culture she inhabits, nor the government's decisions about Iraq. Her new book is sure to make Rummy sweat."
- Philadelphia City Paper
"[Sarah] writes about her problems (real and imagined) and successes with disarming candor."
- BookReporter.com
"You will find yourself smiling and chuckling to yourself as you read."
- Des Moines Register.com
"It is that wry take on the life of a military spouse...one that questions the rules and regulations of the shadow military she embodies, that Smiley does best"
- New York Times Magazine
"Laugh-out-loud humor and poignant honesty set this memoir apart"
- The Florida Times-Union
Response From Readers
"[Shore Duty] is interesting but also professional, direct, empathetic, funny, right on the mark, and just really outstanding overall...[Sarah Smiley] does a service for the Navy and Marines that equates to and even eclipses many family readiness programs."
- W. Lehner, Retired Marine
"[Shore Duty] is the best column on Military.com, hands down. I eagerly await it every week."
- J.M. in Texas
"I am addicted to your column...You are an asset all military spouses and families."
- Sara, military spouse in Pensacola, FL
"You've hit the nail on the head so many times with your wit and humor."
- Gloria, military spouse
"Your July 5 article tugged my heart. It isn't very often that I thank someone for bringing tears to my eyes, but here it is!"
- Chuck, in Pensacola, FL
"It helps to see that there is someone out there who goes through the same things I do. Military life is hard, for dependants as well as members and you provide a great outlet for dealing with it all."
- S. Saylor, military spouse
"I look forward to reading your articles. They say what so many wives are too afraid to say in their own voice."
- "a military spouse"
"I am an old retired Navy pilot who spent 32 years in the Navy and I usually don't read columns like yours in the newspaper, but when they started the picture of you in 'The Hat,' it caught my eye. I am now hooked and I don't miss a single one."
- Capt. (USN Ret.) Pensacola, FL
"You are so much like every other military spouse and you speak for thousands of us out there."
- Military Spouse, Jacksonville, FL
"I just have to say THANK YOU for this site! I've been a military wife for almost two years, a mom for 7 months, and I've been an active duty service member myself for almost 10 years. I can honestly say I've been on both sides, and neither one is easy. Your site is a wonderful way to lift the families' spirits. Again, thank you for having this site it is a blessing."
- Service Member/Wife, Miami, FL
“A major Bravo Zulu for your column this morning. Most enjoyable. My wife and I will be looking forward to Tuesday’s paper even more now. Thanks.”
- Volunteer, National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, FL
"I loved this article! I can't agree with you even more about every aspect of this article."
- Coast Guard Wife Port Orchard, WA
“Great article, Sarah! As a former military wife myself, I laughed hysterically when I read [today’s column] because it’s right on the mark"
- Military Spouse Pensacola, FL
"Let me first state that I am not a military wife. However, being a Pensacola native many of my friends are married to ‘the Navy.’ It is such a pleasure to read Sarah Smiley’s ‘Shore Duty’ column for its lighthearted spin on the tough job of being the spouse of a serviceman/woman. I have several friends who have been ‘shipped out’ of Pensacola and I send them the ‘Shore Duty’ column. They love it! Thanks for a great addition to the News Journal.”
- December 5, 2003, Letter to the Editor
Pensacola News Journal
“As a new wife to an EOD instructor in the Air Force, I am a huge fan of yours…I read your articles every single Tuesday, it is what I pull out of the paper first! It is so funny how I shake my head yes with each thing you say! I also cut out each article and send them to my mom in Michigan -- she loves reading them! Thanks for being there for all of us wives! Keep up the great writing, and I will keep on reading!”
- Air Force Wife Pensacola, FL
“Sarah. As a former B-24 WWII pilot, ex-German POW and a survivor, I want to thank you for your very well done article in today’s paper. Too bad they didn't put yours on the front page where everyone could read it.”
- WWII Veteran, Former POW Pensacola, FL
"I enjoyed seeing the way I feel written in your article. It's good to know I'm not the only one that feels a lot of these things. Thank you for that."
- Military Spouse Pensacola, FL
“Your sense of humor and delight in all things Navy are an inspiration. Thank you for writing.”
- Military Spouse Jacksonville, FL
“I enjoy your articles because they do convey, with humor, what its like for those who serve at home. Military families of all components are the same albeit with a few cultural differences.”
- Reserve Component Advisor Pensacola, FL
"Thank you for your column. As a retired Navy wife and Army Mother I appreciate your humor and the love you put in each of your stories. I look forward to reading your column each week. Thanks for all you do."
- "a military spouse and mom"
"I just wanted to tell you that your column brightens our day every week - in our newspaper in Bremerton, WA! We are retired Air Force - and enjoy your soapboxes, stories and humor so much."
- "military spouse"