my soul mate leaves for the air force in a few months....then in about 2 years hes going to come home and marry me, then he wants me to live with him on base, and have a baby...(however i would aslo have to take some kind of college while there..online classes or somethin)...but what im wondering is...whats to come? whats it like being a soldiers wife, and a mother living on base...are there things to do? or am i like gonna be bored with nowhere to go?....lol it doesnt really matter, cause no matter what im going with him, id be by his side no matter what...i just wanna have an idea of whats ahead?...so whats it like?? help?
2006-07-28 10:40:54 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Sweetie....come on....this is the Air Force. It's not like their soldiers or anything. If you live on base, you will follow the rules of base housing in regards to cleanliness and lawn mowing etc. There are many programs and clubs on base for spouses to be involved. Most bases have golf courses, tennis courts, gyms, community centers ...you name it ...they have it. More than likely your husband will get up go to work, come home, eat, spend time with the family, go to sleep and repeat then next day.
2006-07-28 10:47:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Being married to someone in the Air Force is an adventure in itself. However, you probably will not live on base, because there is not enough housing at most bases. Also, most military housing does not meet minimum health and safety standards for living quarters, so it's better to live off base.
You get to shop for groceries at the Commissary ... everything is cheaper than regular grocery stores and you don't pay taxes on anything. You also have the BX (Base Exchange) which is sort of like Target ... clothes, electronics, music, books, etc. If you're in the States though, the BX is not the most economical place to shop. Unless it's changed drastically, it is more expensive to shop at the BX than any other store of it's kind. Overseas, it's not so bad.
As for enjoying yourself or being bored, that's totally up to you. Since military folks don't make very much money, I would suggest that you plan on working full time to supplement your income so that you aren't living below the poverty line. Even if you don't work, most towns near bases are full of things to do. It's not like you're going somewhere that has the base and nothing else.
Schooling is widely available on bases ... you can attend classes through many different colleges and universities that have satellite schools on bases, or you can attend the local colleges, although that can be very expensive if you don't claim that state as your state of legal residence.
The military used to offer free medical care, but they don't anymore, and it is now more expensive than many private insurances like Blue Cross. So, be prepared for that. Also, take care of any major dental work now, so that you have the best dental health possible before having to rely on the insurance you'll be using.
Now, for the personal stuff. When you get married, you will have certain expectations of being the most important thing in your new hubby's life. Unfortunately, the Air Force does not see it the same way. His first priority is his job and then you. It's not even a 50/50 thing. You need to learn to accept this. It is not your hubby's fault, and you'll know this ahead of time, so you ARE NOT allowed to complain about it later.
Finally, don't go to the clubs on base without your hubby nor allow him to go without you. It looks bad, and even if you aren't cheating on each other, everyone will assume you are. It's just better to be together.
You can contact me if you want more info or have specific questions.
And, NEVER say you're a soldier's wife. You will be an AIRMAN's wife.
2006-07-28 11:00:42 · answer #2 · answered by frankiquilts 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was born a Air Force brat and stayed that way until I left for college and joined the Navy after. It's not always a easy life, ask my mom. For 32 years, she spent a lot of it packing my father off to go to a duty station we couldn't go to. It has it's ups and downs. As far as living on base, that's going to depend on his status in the Air Force. Not all married personel qualify right away for base housing since there are always more senior members above you. You'll be fine, don't worry.
2006-07-28 10:51:48 · answer #3 · answered by navyflyrz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The above post basiaclly sums it up. AF life is what you make it. Some like it some dont.
Just to give you a heads up dont bother planning where you want to be stationed. When I joined I listed that I wanted to go some where in the south east. Guess what I got stationed at Minot, AFB, ND....It actually turned out to be a good assignment. You will travel a lot . I have been in for almost 5 years and this is my 3rd base.
Its a great life though and you will enjoy it. As for me they are making a lot of cuts so I am going to be going into the Army soon.
Just remeber in the military itself you have to learn to adapt and overcome.
2006-07-28 12:40:57 · answer #4 · answered by JB 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was born and raised in the Air Force. The greatest lifestyle imaginable. I miss it and always will. You would NEVER regret it
2006-07-28 10:45:40 · answer #5 · answered by AmericanSwede 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋