Sweetness I was a military brat and my mom was Navy and we never moved. Sure she was gone here and there but I always remember having the coolest child hood . Military community is tight and your never alone. You be denying your family of an amazing opportunity. Faith over fear let him do this!
I’m going to assume your son is not prek or kindergarten age yet. Bc once he is, you can work while he’s at school. It’s not impossible to be self sufficient.
I lived on Camp Pendleton for a bit when my oldest was a baby. It’s not as bad as you think. Once you’re on base, you get to know the wives and they help each other out. The houses are nice as well and you have basically everything you need - some bases even have places like Taco Bell and other restaurants (Pendleton did when I was there)! Yeah, you’ll be away from your family, but it comes down to one question:
would you rather be homeless and broke or have a roof over your head, an income, and benefits?
My husband did 23 years in the Air Force I was there from day 1 with him.I can’t tell you there wasn’t trying time for our family but we are very close to this day because we always had each other my kids saw places that others probably don’t know exist in school we stayed at least two years at one base and as many as 7 at one I did childcare on base for military families only and the Air Force picks up some of the tab for lower ranking families I wouldn’t trade that time in my families life for nothing so try and look for the positive and by the way he retired with pension at 39
As a parent, my son did just over 20 years in the Army and yes it is hard to know your family is apart, but the benefits our military families receive are amazing and he too was able to retire with a pension at 39. The skills he gained and experience in the military gives him the foot in the door a lot of people do not get because they know the military demands high standards in work ethic. He is now drawing a pension and is still young enough to put another 20 years in somewhere, maybe as a government contractor and gain another government pension at only 59. You will have support on base from other military families as they are all living the life and understand what everyone is going thru. I know many people in the military and they are the closest friends and family for years on end even after they leave the military. I think it would be a mistake to pass up the opportunity to try it. It is not like he has to sign up for a lifetime…if it is not working for your family after his initial term, then look at taking a different route. I would definitely talk to the recruiter and also ask them to let you meet some of the other wives and talk to them. The AF is probably the best branch as far as benefits go and for stability…they are not deployed as often or moved around as much as the other branches. I say give it a shot.
I was active duty Army for 12 years, I had my three sons during this time, now I’m in the reserves (almost 19 year total) since my husband went officer he’s been in the Army 17 years. There’s a lot of pros and there are some cons (like others have said) you get free health care, if your child needs a specialist if there’s not one on post/base they’ll give you a referral and you go off post/base it’s still free. The AF is the nicest of all the branches, the Army always makes fun of how fancy the AF is lol. They also have nice houses on the post/base. Some of the cons are you might move every three years. But sometimes you get to move to really cool places (we where stationed in Hawaii for four years). There’s a chance he’ll miss holidays, birthdays and anniversary’s. But if you live state side you can make the Choice to drive to your family’s. You also have to remember you will make friends your son is resilient he’ll adjust just like my children have.
It can be hard being a military wife and it’s not for everyone but don’t use your son as an excuse.
It’s a big decision you and your husband should sit down and talk about it but I think you need to be more open minded about the situation. If your husband does 20 years he’ll never need to work again. How many other job offer that?
You should support him. If he really wants to do this and you hold him back there’s a chance he’ll resent you.
Wow i would be proud. But i also understand that everybody is not the sm. So w that u have to pit urself in his shoes. How would u feel if someone u loved wanted to stomp on ur dreams? Gd lucky honey. Be open and honest w ur man about ur fears…
You guys will be set with the AF…let him provide for you guys…you will never bw homeless or hungry…
You need to do more research before getting so upset.
That decision should have been discussed before marriage and kids came along.
You’ll have insurance, he’ll get paid 24/7, you’ll have access to care for your son, you’d have the ability to be home with your son. Yes, your husband will be gone a lot but someone has to make the sacrifices and it doesn’t sound like you’re the one willing to do it.
Joining the military will give you an amazing life. You sound a bit selfish
Sounds like the toxic one in the relationship is you
I was a military wife for 10 years. My husband was in the Army. We married young so here I was moving from Las Vegas Nevada, to Ft. Stewart Georgia. I moved from a bustling city to the middle of nowhere. From there we went to Ft. Irwin California. I can only tell you the best times of my life was when he was enlisted. I have so many fond memories. However, I missed my family. Sometimes it was hard.
Someone wrote on here that you make it what it is… That’s very true… there was days I just wanted to see my mom… but looking back I loved it when he was in… Now my son 18 wants to join and I feel selfish because I don’t want him to because I will miss him. However, we have plans to go talk to the recruiter because this is what he wants and I know deep down this will be good thing for him.
My advice go with your husband to a recruiter. You talk to them, ask questions but the biggest thing keep an open mind…
Change is hard but it doesn’t mean it’s all bad… look at the good… later in life I believe you will look back and think some of your best times was when he was in… Good luck…
As a child of a Veteran I spent my childhood moving every 2 months to 3 years. I made many friends, lived in many places and experienced so many things that most people don’t. Many of my cousins had the same childhood. I do not think any of us would change how we grew up. Those experiences made us who we are. My dad was gone from 8 hours to years. But the times we were together were always special. The experience you and your son will have will be amazing. The military family, not just you and yours, but the entire military family is amazing and a wonderful group to be a part of. They are always there for you, you will make many friends that you will have for life. My advice is do it, do it all. Give you and your son the world not just a house.
Girl, I’m Veterans wife, my husband was in the Navy for 10 years. Is it difficult bc you have to learn how to adjust to living somewhere new? Yes but it’s so much fun too! Its an amazing adventure and your child will get the top of line medical care he needs. I had my daughter when my husband was in the navy, it was absolutely a blessing!! I got treated better by the doctors and their team than I would by any civilian doctors. He will get extra money to cover housing on top of living, you also get so many other great resources for free, we had our wills made for free before he got out. Since he’s been out I’ve been able to be a stay at home mom, we are in the process of our 5th move into our forever home, my daughter has free college in our state and so does my husband…this “lifestyle” your so scared of can suck at times but oh my goodness your helping to set your family up for an amazing future! Please do more research for yourself,please
Mine always wanted to join the military too. Sometimes he may not seem happy about him, but I put my foot down and wouldn’t let him. For one it’s a HUGE commitment, if he ends up not liking it he’s still stuck. For 2, I know him well enough where missing birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and just all the little things will end up wearing on him, 3 I’m extremely worried how he would come back, I don’t need him coming home all messed up with PTSD or committing suicide or being distant from our family. Lastly, I have really bad anxiety, worrying about him 24/7 would be unhealthy for our whole family and would ruin our relationship.
Sit down with him and make a pros and cons list. My husband claims there’s a lot of money to be made there and a lot of benefits, such as health care and what not, however in the end I didn’t see any of that being worth the risk. It’s not just him, he has you and a family now. If you honestly can’t handle it, put your foot down.
For one your NOT selfish!! For 2 your always gonna think about your kids. 3, your gonna be set don’t know who is telling him that. Always support your man. Always, but talk to lots of ppl, ask lots of Qs. There’s lots ppl don’t tell you cuz they been in (years ago or for a few years) ITS CHANGED!!
My Opinion. It is a great life. Mines been in Almst 18 years. We have a 16 & 20 year old. Our 16 just started her 11th school & when our 20 year old was in 11th it was his 11 or 12th school. Don’t get me wrong they adjusted VERY well. But my kids don’t have “best friends” they don’t have that “remember us”growing up. They have seen a lot and I’m SO thankful for that, but travel make goals in life!! And mine definitely don’t know what a grandma is/Aunts, uncles, cousins. But that’s our family!! Lots are different! I would have moved for my mom & MIL to know my kids a lot more b4 they both passed in their 50s
Again, it’s a good life. BUT lots has changed in the past 10 years, the GI bill has changed, the retirement has changed, lots. Our son wanted to be a soldier since he was 2, & we finally changed his mind at 17, he wants to be a cop now.
I want my son to raise his kids one day, see them grow. Not be away, & breaking his self for nothing. And honestly Cops make more money
Again it is great, if you don’t mind moving, being alone, & your hubs will do and see things that will change him. Some handle it very well, some it stays with them and messes with them like no other. It’s definitely not as glorious as the recruiters make it sound. Lots of promises that I PROMISE you, won’t ever happen. I think y’all will do what’s best for your family either way. You’ll be set ooo if I had a dollar!! We’d be set and not just now making a good life after 17 years
Good luck. You will be ok either way You got this momma