My husband has been in for 1 1/2yrs and we have 2 children. I was told that there were waivers I could get (anyone know about that). Please anyone who has been through this, tell me what to do! I asked an adviser on airforce.com but he told me couldn't join. But this guy who my husband spoke with told him that I just needed a waiver and I could join. Please tell me what I can do!
2007-08-02 02:56:47 · 12 answers · asked by Nina1 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Get a maternal instinct.
2007-08-02 03:05:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 6⤋
Talk to a recruiter but be prepared to answer some tough questions. You will have to know where and who could care for your children for up to a year if you were both deployed at the same time (and it does happen). While you would both be Air Force, there is still no 100% garuntee that you would be stationed together, especially since he is nearly two years into his career already. There is also the very real chance tht one of you could deploy or be sent on an 18-24 month unaccompanied, leaving the other to handle life as a single, active duty parent. While there are many families that do it, they will certainly tell you it isn't easy and can be emotionally exhausting. You and your husband will not be allowed to work together in any situation. Also, your enlisting would not automatically double some of the benefits such as housing..although it can work out to a nice increase for some couples.
There is a chance that the Air Force may turn you down because you have young children and an active duty husband. That can be a tough thing to hear but know that it is not because of you, but because they know that this life is stressful enough with one parent working the military life. do some hard thinking, talk with your extended family (as they would be the ones with the kids if you both get sent someplace the kids can't go), be sure the support system is in place and then talk to the recruiter. Listen to what he says and think some more.
2007-08-02 09:18:39 · answer #2 · answered by Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, let me say that if you want to join the AF and have kids, you can still join, whether your husband is in or not. Being an airman myself I have talked to a bunch of families like that. Here's the thing about becoming a military member...sacrafice, just remember that. You are getting a lot of information from a lot of people who have no clue what they're talking about, some who do. The AF will work their absolute hardest to station you both at the same base if they're able to due to mission requirements. Will deployments happen? Yes, and a lot more, the AF is picking up a lot of Army jobs throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, a communications person has just as much of a chance to go command a convoy in Iraq as does a Security Forces troop. Make no mistake, the AF has it's hands in all sorts of cookie jars. You should honsetly think about your kids though, it's not an easy life for them, do-able, absolutely, rough, absolutely, worth it, every AF family like they one you're thinking of having says yes! Oh, and can you be in the same base...OF COURSE! You can even work in the same office sometimes, the whole "not in the chain of command" thing has a lot of quirks, will you ever work for your husband or him work for you, no, but same area, surely.
Oh, and don't talk to a recruiter because here's the thing...recruiters are out for the AF and for numbers, not you! Talk to an AF member who isn't a recruiter, if you live near a base call up their PA office or find a friend of a friend. Those are the ones who will give you the real scoop on the AF lifestyle. Hope this helps.
2007-08-02 15:34:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cant speak for the AF , but my husband has been Active duty for 15 yrs , we have 3 children I joined the Guard over a yr ago YES you can get a waiver for your children, but before I left for Meps and swore in we had to have a family care plan AR 600-20 ( because now we are dual military) , which means (to respond to those who asked you who will care for your kids ) if you or your husband are both deployed or go to the field you have someone (family member or friends ) to care for your children while your away.
Good luck to you both my dad was AF!!
Let me know if I can help in anyway...also talk to the recruiter , the AF is different than the Army .
Armywife & ANG Soldier
PSSS...for the hanging around male not all children have 2 parents military or not , so it isnt fair to say kids need 2 parents it would be nice for families to stay together but that isnt reality is it???
The Army teaches you from day 1 mission first for me in my life my family first.. it is not easy being in the military and having a family but my family is everything to me , when I finally decided to join the Guard it was our childrens response that made the final say , at the time (yr ago) our children were 15,9,and 5.. I am very proud to be in the National Guard, to be a mother of 3 and have a husband who is Active duty... Yes you can be dual Military with children and make things work .
Again I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do.
2007-08-02 05:25:33 · answer #4 · answered by Justice35 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you won't be able to go Active, only Reserves, and then only if a waiver is granted.
you must have a rock solid Family Care plan in effect before they will consider a waiver. This includes having a short term and long term care giver who agrees to take full legal responsibility for the children in the event you are both deployed or in the field training.
But frankly, the chances of a waiver being authorized is slim. the AF is overmanned, and is less willing to grant waivers.
2007-08-02 05:40:57 · answer #5 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Way back when I was twenty-six years old I tried to join the air force but was turned down because I had too many dependants. I had two kids at the time with one on the way. The recruiter explained that the reason was due to economic hardships which could strain a marriage thus reducing my ability to perform by job effectively. He then encouraged me to check with the army because they have the lowest standards which I didn't do. I do not know if this is still the practice today. Good luck.
2007-08-02 03:09:00 · answer #6 · answered by rollmanjmg 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
if you truly want to join go for it but consider what life is like with just one military member in the family even if you are just airforce you two would have so much trouble finding time for family and the kids and work plus he would have to be with the kids when you go to basic traing and the works i know that it is hard just having a husband that is in the military imagine if you both were in the military
2007-08-02 08:24:36 · answer #7 · answered by Honey Badger Doesnt give a Shat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to talk to a recruiter.
I don't think it's a good idea to have two spouses with kids in the military though. Not to say it isn't done, but spouses can't serve in the same command, so unless the AF can find two commands close together, both needing each of your job ratings, one of you may end up far from the other.
Without kids, you know, no big deal. But kids need two parents as much as possible...and the military tries to be user friendly about that, but can make no guarantees.
2007-08-02 03:04:47 · answer #8 · answered by powhound 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
i think that it is fantastic that you wanna join im glad that you chose the air force too. you will only deploy if you become a cop or something like that. you do need to talk to a recruiter and he will be able to explain the waver and everything. good luck with your new job i hope that you enjoy it. it all works both my parents are in the air force ok.
2007-08-02 03:17:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Speak to an actual recruiter.
2007-08-02 04:22:52 · answer #10 · answered by Ray H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a recruiter. If you and the husband get deployed, who will get your children? Be prepared to answer that question.
2007-08-02 02:59:56 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋