Military with children?

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Originally Posted by Don

I see real vets coming home from the wars going on and can never put my service in the same class

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just because you didn't go to war like some of us doesn't make you not a veteran. We just get to wear that sweet combat patch! :)

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Originally Posted by LGray23

Just wanted to update everyone. After talking extensively with the army reserves recruiter, the air force reserves recruiter, and my family, I've decided that the air force reserves would be best for my family and I. I took the ASVAB test on Wednesday and got some high scores. I've switched my paperwork from the army to the air force, and my physical is on Thursday. Once I get cleared medically and physically, I will be getting sworn in and picking a job. I want to thank everyone for all their advice and opinions.

Luckily I've found some friends close by that are willing to take on most of my critters while I am away. I am still having trouble finding someone to watch my red foot tortoise and my boas, so if any of my buddies on here are relatively close, let me know! My female boa is small and fits comfortably in a tub, however my male is over 4 1/2 feet now and has just been switched to a 4 foot boaphile...thank you again!

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You made a wise choice. As an Army veteran, I can tell you that the Air Force is a better place to be for several reasons, from more pleasant duty, better food and housing, better chance of picking up a job skill useful in civilian life to shorter and less risky deployment.
There is a real chance these days that a reservist will end up deployed on active duty and you would be much more likely to come back in one piece with your head on straight if you spend your time on an Air Base.
In prosperous times I would not recommend for a mother to join the military, but it is a viable choice in this economy and an honorable choice always.
As far as being a poor choice for someone with a family to join the military as one poster stated, I would point out that in this Country no more than 50% of marriages remain intact on the average. I doubt that the rate of divorce is any higher in the military than in the civilian population.
It has more to do with the maturity, integrity and commitment of the people entering a marriage than the physical location.
As you are not married and are just becoming a reservist, this is a moot point anyway, although you may ultimately decide to go full time after getting a job, some rank and considering the benefits as contrasted with the present lack of opportunity in the job market today.

Best of luck to you. :salute:

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Originally Posted by Don

I see real vets coming home from the wars going on and can never put my service in the same class. My time on the big gray ships was a pleasure cruise compared to that.

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Don,

Every Veteran, past and present, at one point in their life raised their hand and said they would serve this nation at a cost up to and including their life.

Time of peace or time of war was largely a matter of chance. The defense of this nation forms an unbroken chain that stretches back to the founding of our country. Don't down play your personal link in that chain.

The time you served was just as important as anyones :salute:

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Originally Posted by Don

Puddle jumpers! :neener: Ever been in the Sea of Japan during one of their bad storms? Taking 40 degree rolls for days on end made a lot of old salts sea sick. Luckily, I never got sick.

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Never been to the Sea of Japan, but we were taking rolls like that for several days before things calmed down. I fondly remember at one point leaning out over the bridge wing puking my guts out and I swear I could almost reach out and touch the water...shortly after those pics were taken, a hawse pipe cover let loose and went flying right by the bridge. :O I was on a 270' cutter...which have a nice ROUND bottom...made for a great ride...:rolleye2:

Here's one more from my last patrol...got hit by a rogue wave off Cape Hatteras. Right before this trip I had the chance to repaint Popeye on the BRAND NEW gun mount. Sadly it didn't make it through it's first patrol, and I don't believe it was ever re-painted on the new gun mount they got. I was off to Radioman school by then. :D

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...hotos/spe6.jpg

I got sworn into the Air Force Reserve today, I leave October 2nd :)
http://i43.tinypic.com/dm8aix.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/11c9xs5.jpg

From one Airman to another, Congrats, and welcome to the family :salute:

Congrats!

I wanted to give everyone an update!! I leave in exactly 49 days for basic training. October 2nd I will arrive at Ft. Lackland Texas. I'll be graduatig (assuming I don't get recycled, it will NOT happen) on November 30. My parents, along with my son, my brother, and little sister will be attending my graduation. I must say I can't wait for my son to see me on that stage in my blues. He's only 5 years old and he already tells me he's proud of me! Plus he can't wait to go to Texas, where Sandy is from (from Spongebob :rolleyes:). I'll have two and 1/2 days to spend with my family before heading out to Ft. Lee Virginia for my tech school (Air Transportation 2T2X1). I'll finish tech school January 30.

Now, The AFR started a program back in October 2011. Reservists attend what's called the Developmental & Training Flight. It's basically to help prepare us for basic training. I have been going up to my home base one weekend a month to attend this (it's mandatory anyways lol). I've already met some awesome people and have made friends through the military, even met a couple people that are shipping out on the same day!

Every Saturday that we're up there we are given a PT test. I want to say 3 months ago, my scores were 13:30 for the 1.5 mile run, 20 push ups, 18 sit ups. Last month my PT scores were 12:20 for the 1.5 mile run, 33 push ups, and 27 sit ups. I've been training like crazy. I want to say I've gained 5 pounds since I started but my clothes are looser, so I'm assuming (HOPING) it's all muscle. Usually the only PT we do on Saturday is the PT test, the rest is a lot of classroom time. Sundays though, WOW. I got my bum handed to me last weekend on Saturday AND Sunday as the Conference Center where the "classroom time" is held was being used to prepare for the Air Show. We basically did circuit training ALL DAY. It was awesome! I absolutely love going up there, and can't wait to start my career with the Air Force Reserve.

I wanted to thank everyone again for their support! I'm really happy with my decision so far. I'll be sure to update as I go along when I can, hopefully with some pictures next time :D

Cool, I've got friends at Ft. Lee. It is just down the road from me. Good luck!