Hey ladies...I would appreciate any advice you can give.
DH is waiting back on some test results for a job, and if that doesn't work out then he will be looking at joining the military. Right now he isn't quite sure what branch... part of it depends on who will take him (obviously). I think it will probably be the marines or the army. I was just wondering if any of you had insight into the process (eg- how long it takes, steps, etc) before and during boot camp. It's a little overwhelming starting the process-- we have an 8 month old. But with the current economy, we are running out of options and I don't want to say it's a last resort because we have a deep respect for the troops (FIL was in the marines)... I just don't necessarily think we saw ourselves going in this direction before.TIA!
Re: Thinking of enlisting...
I don't have much info for you regarding the Army or Marines. We are Air Force and I just wanted to tell you that I highly support your decision. Obviously, I am totally pro-military and you are exactly right, with this economy, it is great stability.
Good luck!
I think your idea of a support group is neat! It's kind of that transition phase, which I don't necessarily believe is appropriate to post on the military families board since we aren't one yet. I am sure there are many hardships, etc they face without having to hear me whining about figuring out what we will be doing (not saying ANYONE has hinted at this). Thanks for the support ladies... I will keep in touch when we figure out what the heck we are doing
There is no real time line that anyone can give you. Enlisting depends on so many factors. I would suggest talking to a recruiter first. I say talk with your DH and discuss any concerns you may have. Also, you have to be honest with yourself. Will you be able to be away from your DH for 9-18 months with limited contact? Will you be able to deal with the unknown of where you are going?
DH is in the Army, and we are going for retirement, which is a minimum of 20 years. When your DH enlists, he will have a 3-4 year obligation period. Then, you can decide what to do from there. What is his background? It could make a difference into his MOS and whether it will be easier for him to enlist or not.
My DH and I are both Army, and I have to say I think the Army does a great job taking care of its soldiers AND their families. I would discourage Marines because they deploy more frequently than any other banch it seems like, also, the marines can reclass (assign you hubby a new job) as infantry whenever they feel like it. It's all about the needs of "the corps." They are more a lifestyle than a career. Hard to explain... Also MC doesn't let you choose your job before you enter. Army, Air Force, and Navy do. Make sure he picks something that will translate into the civilian world. here's a good website that gives you the civilian equivilent of any military job.
https://www.cool.army.mil/overview.htm
Don't let recruiters make him feel bad about shopping around different branches either, just be honest about it. Good luck to your hubby in this decision!
My husband is USAF and him enlisting was the best thing. The insurance is awesome and e job stability is very nice too. Joining the military is joining one of the biggest families around. I love my military family and what ever base or post you end up at, you should find a lot of support.
If he does I recommend getting involved with the family support squadron or the family readiness group. It's a wonderful group of volunteers who do what they do because they LOVE helping out their military family.
And OP, every single time you post I want to comment on how incredibly adorable that full head of hair is! Love your siggy. My son is 10 months and still quite the cue ball.
DH is Marines. They seem to get a really bad rap. Their "typical" deployment schedule is 7 months deployed, 14 months home. Their deployments typically are not a year. But sometimes they do get augmented to an Army unit or something else and are gone for a year. DH has been in for 16 years and has deployed a total of 18 months.
It depends on your MOS, but I know A LOT of guys who have been in for over 5 years and only have deployed 1 time.
Good luck!
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back on here and reply to my posting--
Just wanted to say thanks to all of you for your advice. We are definitely taking everything into consideration at this point. Unfortunately, I do believe the AF is out because DH is 28. We will be nearing the end of the enlistment period for many of the branches, and I think for AF we are past that point. Obviously we are going to have to make our decision quickly; perhaps moreso than we originally thought. But thanks again and I have relayed all your info to DH to help him out!
Thanks! Your LO is quite adorable as well! Everyone keeps telling me he needs a haircut but I haven't been able to bear it yet! If we can hold out til the fall we will be fine, cuz it will be as warm as a hat for him!
DH is a Marine. I am prior-Air Force, now Navy Officer. We love the military. It is so worth it. I highly recommend looking into all the branches. They all have different things to offer.
I've loved my time in both the AF and the Navy. And I love everything about the Marines too. DH and I will both retire from the military.
Replied to this post and then realized it was old...oops!
My hubby is Navy and we love this life. We may be in a crappy location now, but we live on base, and don't pay a dime. Well, it gets taken from BAH, but we don't pay one utility bill or rent. My kids have excellent benefits as do I, and I know with my hubby's job, he's not going to come home one day and say he got fired. For some people, they don't enjoy their jobs, but he is a Search and Rescue Corpsman and loves every minute of it. In addition he is doing his nursing school pre-req's, so he can go officer, and he is not paying a dime. The military is. Something to think about.