Is the army or airforce that bad?

Question

My husband has been talking about wanting to join the military to make a better living for us, and our family whenever we get pregnant. But I'm afraid of it, because of all the war that is going on, and being without him for so long. and isn't it hard on families? I know they will move u with him if u are married.. but still? any takes on this?

Answer 1

I recently seperated from the Air Force. It is not for everyone(like me), but I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. I found out my wife was pregnant the day before I left for training. I had not picked a job yet and was going for one only offered at basic training (wilderness survival instructor). It would keep me away from my family too much so I didn't take it. Instead I trained people how to survive terrorist attacks. There are aspects to any job that are dangerous. Even someone that works at a desk can be sent to a warzone to work at a desk. With that said, how often do those same people work at that desk in the middle of a marketplace. The Air Force does not go out and hunt the enemy. The Army does. The Air Force has planes to do that. As for moving, there are only a few places that they could send him that you can't go. South Korea and Turkey. Even then it is possible for you to go also, although a slim chance. For me it was financially a good decision. The birth was taken care of, my wife was diagnosed with cancer, taken care of. Nice house on base, rent free. Monthly allowances for food, yearly for unifoms, both tax free. They are trying to stabilize deployments. Where else can you get good technical training free while being paid and get good practical experience on the job? After 4 years, I was making 40K. You can retire at 20 years making 1/2 of your highest pay. The Air Force allows you to choose your job before you join. If both of you don't like it, hell, it's only 4 years, move on. I would go Air Force as they will train you in an actual job that transfers when you get out. Not many places looking for the street sweepers leaving the Army right now. And the quality of life is better in the Air Force.

Answer 2

I am an Air Force wife and an Army sister so I have seen both sided. Yes both branches deploy and there are areas where families aren't allowed to go with the military member. There are a lot of great job opportunities in both branches as well but the jobs are completely different. The Army is more hands on, always out in the field, while the Air Force is less hands on and stay closer to home.Your husband could also start off in the Air Force and if he doesn't enjoy it he has the option to transfer to the Army.

As far as family support and togetherness I would have to say that the Air Force tries harder to keep families together. The Army is a lot harder on families then the Air Force, due to constant training and deployments.

Answer 3

OKAY DON'T LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE THAT SAY DON'T JOIN THE MILITARY OR DO COAST GUARD.. . . . they have no idea what they are talking about. I think it is great that he wants to join the military!!! But I think Air Force is the way to go and that's were I would and WILL go. Remember this just because there is a war doesn't mean your husband will get killed. There are tons of other jobs they can do. For example my dad is a maintenance scheduler. He sits at a desk and does not risk his life but he still helps serve his country. Also a big step that nobody understands expect the families of the military members is that when someone signs up THEY KNOW that they might die serving their country. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT. It is a sacrifice that you must live with and know it might happen. Tell him to do it and encourage him to join the military. And if he does thank him for me because he will be one to serve and protect this country's freedom.

Anthony

Answer 4

The army or airforce is not bad. My father used to served in the army and I think life in army is great. Yes, we often travel all over the places.
When your husband worked as an army, you too will move with him. I dont think you should be worry. In the Army Camp, you will have everything in there. House, hospital, schools and many other things which comes handy. Dont worry about the war but most important thing is that you must have positive mindset. With that, you will find your happness anywhere in this world not only being the wife of army officer.
Go for it, girl.

Answer 5

The military is all what you make of it. My honest opinion would be if you plan on starting your family, then the best bet would be to join the Air Force. My reasons for that are, typically Air Force deployments are less than 6 months long vs. 1 year plus for the Army. Also the quality of life for Airmen is alot nicer than that of a Soldier.

Answer 6

I joined the Army in '84, and married my 2nd wife in '87. We are still together, and going strong, thanks.

Anyway, we moved every 3 to 5 years, and my wife bore the brunt of it. I deployed, and she bore the brunt of it. I don't know how she managed, but she did, and I am forever thankful. We had a wonderful time in the Army. We had a steady, regular paycheck, medical and dental. We traveled the world (Tunisia, Turkey, Malaysia, Hungary, Germany, Austria, etc), we made friends all over the world. It was so good, that when I retired in '04, I went to work as a civilian for the Army.

The military life is not for everyone, but there are SO many places for support and assistance. One of the best places in the Army is the Army Family Team Building (AFTB).

Good luck, and thanks for thinking of us.

Answer 7

Airforce has the best rep, THAT SAID- I am an Army wife (also prior service marine wife) I love Military life. If your spouse can handle the hard work, you can too. Deployments are difficult, but My husband even has a cell phone right now in Iraq, so I can call him and email him daily- which helps. It has its up's and down's but for us, we just reenlisted for another 5 years. Totally 11 years service. Good Luck with your choices.

Answer 8

I am a (Female) Military Retiree, and KNOW the benefits of a long service career -- and what it allowed me to experience and be -- and I am a confident single woman as a result.

Not all times were happy -- I was married about mid-career (and the marriage did not last long -- all he wanted was the benefits and the money I earned) -- and I ended up finishing my career as a single parent.

YES, it is difficult on the family -- and my children had to know from a very early age what it meant when momma went on a plane and was gone for a period of time. Luckily for me, like I pointed out, momma was already a long-time service member, and I was able to retire while they were still quite young.

As long as you are supportive of his goals in the military, are faithful to your wedding vows, and willing to constantly be active, on the move and enjoy new places and meeting new people and having new experiences -- it can be quite rewarding.

Answer 9

My son & his family like the military life. The movers took great care with their things & they have a nice home with fenced back yard. It was hard in beginning because he had so much training - basic training, officer training school, officer basic training, jump school, marksman school, & ranger school. He was gone from 6-9 weeks at a time - home a week or two & gone again. Deployments are hard but are usually 12 months - sometimes 18 months. The Army has great medical, dental education & etc. benefits. My son will go to graduate school next year while in Army - they will assign him his university as his home base.

Answer 10

There are some really ignorant people on yahoo answers. 20000 to 48100 american dead? Are you crazy? Im in the army, in iraq, it isn't that bad. The military is all about the family, there are many many programs that are devoted to helping families move, settle in and help families while the service member is away. If it is truly what he wants to do, it will be worth it, support him, and he will support you along with the military.