1. As an enlisted wife, I often envied the officer wives for their social clubs, not to mention their access to the physical Officer's Clubs (which on most bases are much nicer than the Enlisted Club, if the base even has one). Then over time I realized they also moved WAY more often than we did. While I enjoy moving, having to move every 2 years (or more!) would be a Major pain (sorry, I couldn't resist the obvious pun!). There is joy in staying put a little longer, letting each place truly feel like HOME for a time.2. As a deliberately unemployed military spouse, I sometimes envied those who were able to maintain a job or career as they followed their husband about. That second income meant they often had nicer things, more little luxuries, more travel, etc. Then over time I realized how priceless the time with my children is, and what a gift it was for them to have me always ALWAYS there for them, especially with dad's presence so hit or miss. (As a flyer, my husband worked odd hours, and some years was gone as much as 70% of the time, in erratic and completely unpredictable patterns.) It was definitely hard at times, and there is a long-term cost with that lack of employment experience for later jobs, but there is much joy knowing I was able to give them that stability in the face of such uncertainty.
3. As a military dependent, I often envied my civilian counterparts who see the same doctor over many months or years, and really develop a relationship with him or her. Of course that doesn't always happen, even for civilians, but it's a lot more likely in the civilian "stay put" world. There were YEARS of military life where I never even saw the same doctor twice! Then again, military insurance and coverage is often recognized as THE best coverage there is, and it was the primary reason my husband enlisted in the first place. I don't know if joy is the right word, but it's definitely a huge comfort knowing that you wouldn't have the pain of a gigantic medical bill following the pain of trying to get an appointment, referral, and treatment for whatever your problem is. 
4. As a military parent, I often have envied the opportunities and stability of my friends' children who stay pretty much in the same place. We would find a great piano teacher or youth club, then move to a place where we'd have to start all over, and sometimes had a very hard time finding anything to replace what we had before. Moving so far away meant it could take months or years to find out about the opportunities in a new area. (Civilians are often surprised at how sad the advertising is for things in their area--they live there for so long they just KNOW about stuff through neighbors and long-time friends! We don't.) This was especially true living overseas--many things we just didn't have access to over there (such as community colleges for dual enrollment), and other things we could have done we didn't find out about until too late. But there is joy in all the places my kids have experienced. How many of their classmates, when they are studying World History, can say "Oh yes, Pearl Harbor? I've been there. Worms, where the trial of Martin Luther took place? Been there too."5. As a recently retired military spouse, I sometimes envy those who have been able to stay in one place for the past 24 years, with a mortgage that is now close to being paid off!! But what a joy it has been to be able to experience so many different places! I wouldn't trade it for the world. :)
