So tonight Rob tells me he's been thinking about the air force again. We've bounced the idea back and forth a few times as there is a very low deployment rate in aviation maintenance, and is mostly a volunteer basis kind of thing. Not that they couldn't force him, but there is a such little demand for men to go over seas for aviation maintenance, that they take a lot of guys over who volunteer. My ex Michael was in the air force 4 years and didn't get deployed and actually had to request to be deployed as he wanted the experience. So it's been an idea we've had for awhile, but when I got pregnant we put all talk of that on the back burner as now there was another life involved. But tonight we went out to dinner and had this long conversation about pros and cons of joining, and while no decisions were made, we have decided to go talk to a recruiter. One thing we have agreed on is no matter when we talk to a recruiter we are not joining until after Jensen is born. I want to give birth in my hospital and I can't do that if Rob joins the air force because if he gets moved to a base further away the only way I can go is to marry him, which would not only make me lose my current health insurance, but then I would have to give birth at a military hospital. Not something I want to do. But we don't see the harm in talking to a recruiter and seeing what requirements they have and if they will pay for his schooling and how it all will work. Rob told me after the conversation he is actually pretty excited looking into this. I have told him the air force is fine but he is NOT allowed to go fly the planes. I couldn't handle the wondering of "is he coming home, is that plane that got shot down his?" and Rob doesn't want to put me in that position either. I want to support him but I can't help feeling some reservation about all this. It is a great opportunity and even if he doesn't make it a life long career, it can do nothing but help his future in aviation maintenance no matter where he works. I could go to school and not have to work, just like Rob and I want. There are a lot of good things that can come from this. But it's pretty scary too. What would you do if your spouse decided to join some sect of the military? Anyone with a spouse or family member in the air force, or better yet the aviation maintenance part of the air force, that could share some insight and experience?
I typed out a post and then it disapeared when I tried to post. My DH is in the Coast Guard. We are so proud of him and what he does. The Coast Guard in general has been good to us. I don't know much about the Air Force specifically. There is a military families board on ivillage. I recommend doing an online search for an Air Force wives group, I know there is a Coast Guard one. Good luck with your decision. P.S. The Coast Guard has aircraft too ;) lol.
Thanks to Amber (my 20ish parents cl) for the great siggy!
My DH was Coast Guard aviation and before enlisting went to school to get his A&P after highschool. He joined the CG because there were very little jobs for airplane mechanics that payed well and the military experience you get is VERY valuable once a civilian again. Now since you were a military spouse once before, so you know that nothing is guaranteed. He could deploy, he might be put on as aircrew, etc. So my advice is if he does join, not to go in saying "He won't deploy, or fly" because it will be harder to deal with if it's completely unexpected. I remember people always telling me I was lucky because my DH was in the coast guard and they never deploy... but my DH was deployed 6 months of every year, so be ready for anything. I agree on waiting until you give birth to leave, since I am sure your DF wants to be there for it, plus transferring Dr. and area and hospital is not fun in the middle of a pregnancy... I did it, it sucked. Anyway, good luck making your decision! It's more than a job, being in the military demands a lot of people and becomes more of a lifestyle.
Thanks everyone for the replies! My EC actually had a lot of good information for me and one women even had a husband in the AF. I still appreciate all stories of life in the military, no matter the section, as it helps to hear about positive, and be warned about the negative sides of anything. So thanks again for taking time to post your thoughts and experiences for me! :)
