Anyways onto my topic. I've called all the military wives reading this because I need some input, advice, anything really. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned my interest in joining the military previously but if I haven't, I have an interest in joining the military.
Now, what I need help with is deciphering a good idea from a bad idea. Is this just a supplemental feeling to the pride I have in my husband who is in the military? Or did my husband joining the military make me realize my calling? Is this a phase every military wife goes through? Or should I pay more attention to the fact that my heart, gut, brain, w/e, is telling me something.
I've been tossing ideas back and forth with my husband. Well, mainly tossing ideas to him while he gets in batting stance to hit them as far away as possible. I know he would prefer that I not join. I know this because he told me I'm not just assuming here. BUT what he also has told me is that he will support me if I really want to do this.
I try to feed off of his experiences to see if I would like it but it's hard. Not only would I not be doing the same job as him but I would be an officer whereas he is enlisted. There has to be some huge difference there right?
It's all so confusing. Basically I want a raise of hands if you, as a marine wife or girlfriend, has ever seriously considered joining the military.
5 comments:
Since I've been around the military for the past 9 years, I've come to think that being in the military wouldn't be so mad. Part of basic is just them screwing with your head, so knowing that now, part of me thinks I could do it. However, I'm not cut out for it. I'm super proud of my husband and props to the girls who do it, but I know I really couldn't
Okay this is gonna sound stupid probably. I dated this guy back in hghschool who is in the army. (people now make fun of me an say I only date military guys) after we broke up I talked to a recruiter because I seriously thought it was my calling and the only reason I dated him was to be close to the military..but I didn't do it (obviously)..and I'm glad I didn't. If you want to, go for it. I believe in you! I've been through a "phase" though thinking I wanted to.
Ryan and I have talked about this before... I was curious about it more than anything else. The thing that really stood out to me was that he said you could not get stationed together. Recruiters will tell you that you can and it will work out and then one ends up in Okinawa and one in LeJeune.... happened to two of his friends. They were told they would be stationed together and then were separated for four years.
So as long as you know there are a lot of risks besides the obvious ones (deployments etc), like separate duty stations and it is still something you want to pursue, then go for it!
If you joining the military is something you really want to do then it is definitely worth investigating further.
A few of our friends are dual-military couples...
One couple, it was hard to watch when they both deployed and had to give their baby and toddler to her parents for almost 8mo.
Another couple is stationed an hour & 15min drive from each other... so they live in the middle of the two bases but it's hard for them socially because their friends are in two different places. Their daughter goes to childcare at the wives' base, so it is inconvenient if an emergency arises and her husband has to drive down to get her.
The last couple were stationed together in Maryland, she deployed for 7mo and 2mo after her return he went on a 2mo training mission, directly after that he was sent to Okinawa for a 1yr unaccompanied tour of duty.
I guess it really comes down to what you want and what you can deal with. Maybe you could go reserve? You'll still have weekend trainings and week-long trainings once or twice a year, but you can live wherever your husband does. You are still deployable but the living apart thing is less likely as a reservist.
As far as the officer/enlisted thing... that could be really interesting at military functions such as the ball. I wonder how that would play out? Also would it be weird if you were stationed together to potentially have your husband working under you?
Oh, I forgot to mention that he plans on getting out haha. That makes it completely different right? BUT actually now he has considered staying in ever since I brought it up. I don't want to do that. If we didn't have a daughter I would be for it but I am not making her life miserable and I will not have her raised by anyone else.
Skinnie Piggie... I thought about the officer/enlisted at social functions too. I actually have no idea how it would play out. It's funny because he is 3 years older than be but I would be higher ranking than him. He could never work under me because they won't put spouses in that situation. But it would be funny for sure if it happened! Or it could be horrible at home lol.
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