Snakes and the Military

[Himitsu]

I got into snakes just over 2 years ago, from someone I met online. Half a year later I got a ball python (pinstripe) named Yuki, and just a month ago (August 17) I got a cute little 50% Super Dwarf Retic male (so he will stay 8-9 feet max which is a size I am quite comfortable handling) that I named Loki because I wasn't supposed to get any more snakes. At the time, though, I planned on staying in the area and continuing to try and get on at the local paper mills, which would allow me to move out and get more snakes. Eventually, I would like to get into breeding ball pythons.

Over the last couple weeks, though, things have changed. My hours have been cut back even more from the dismal that they previously were and it has led me to seriously consider something that has been floating around in the back of my mind for a year now: Air Force. At this point, there really isn't much that could change my mind from joining (I haven't taken the ASVAB yet, but I am not worried about being unable to pass it). If possible, I don't want to get rid of my snakes, but I also understand that it could be in excess of 2 years before I am able to take them back. Currently the plan is to show my little sister (13) how to take care of them. One of my mom's concerns is that she isn't sure if she will catch if there happens to be something wrong with them, and me, well, they're my babies, so of course I will worry over their care. As much as I don't want to, I'm really starting to think that it might be in the best interest of the animals to find them new homes (I will most likely be able to return the Retic to his breeder), but I wanted the online herp community's opinion on the matter. If at all possible I would like to keep my Pinstripe at least (and would love if it is possible to keep Loki as well). I got her January 2012, so I've had her a year and a half now, but do understand if you guys don't think it is in her best interest. In the end, I have to think of her over me.

I do have one other question, and this is mostly out of curiosity. As stated above, I would like to eventually breed ball pythons. Not sure at this point if I will make Military a career or just join for 4 years, but if I do stay in how many people have had success with such a hobby while in the armed forces? By success I don't mean "how much do you make off of it?" (I understand most people only break even or are in the red), but "have you managed to balance military career and snake hobby?"

And now, since I'm sure you want to see them, here are some pictures of my two babies:

Loki:
[IMG][/IMG]
Picture taken at the time I first got him home. Last time I weighed and measured him he was two inches shy of four feet and 458 grams (about 3 weeks ago). He is a 2011 baby she had been thinking of holding back.

Yuki:




I got her January 21, 2012 at 94 grams and about 16 inches long. Now she is about 3.5 feet and weighed 1300 grams last I checked (also about 3 weeks ago)

[ROACH]

Ok....where to start! I was in the Army back in 87'-91'. I raised ball pythons back then also, but when I joined luckly I only had 2 at the time. While I was away for Basic and AIT I had to have a friend watch over them. I also had concerns about them while I was away, but all I could do was hope for the best that he would be able to take care of them just as well as I did. They did fine for the 4 1/2 months I was gone. Now afterwards when I got done with the trainings, I was able to get them back from him because I had a home where I was stationed, here near Ft. Hood Texas. Which is where I served my whole 4 years. Now as for having them on post in the barracks....Animals were not allowed, well except fish. There were a few people who would sneak a small reptile in as long as their bunkies didnt mind, or get caught by upper command, but the orders for on post said "No". I hope this helps a little for you. Maybe others can chime in on this subject.

[Himitsu]

Thanks, Roach!

What I am planning on doing is showing her at least a month in advance and actually having her take care of them while I am still there (as if I am not) so I can correct anything she might not be doing quite right. The thing is, though, if I do manage to get in where I want the Technical Training for that is 1-1.5 years, and I would most likely have to wait until I could move off base (recruiter said earliest for moving out of the dorms was 6 months after first duty assignment). Not sure if Air Force is different from Army or if the policies have changed over time, but he said there was a slight possibility I might be allowed to keep them in the dorms, but definitely not to count on that, so I am not, and I would probably have a heart attack or something if I tried to conceal one just because of the stress. But with basic training, technical training, and then waiting to move off, it could be 2.5 years or more.

[spitzu]

Keep in mind that in addition to Basic and Tech School, Airmen are often not allowed to move off base for a while (unless they're married) and you are not allowed to have pets in the dorms. So it could be a bit longer than 2 years.

edit: Duh. I just saw your last post

[rigan1990]

Do yourself and your country a favor and join because you want to serve your country not as a last resort please.

[Himitsu]

lol, no problem Spitzu. If I wasn't already aware of that information it would have been extremely helpful, so thanks.

And Rigan, while it could be considered a 'last resort', it is something I had been considering for at least a year now. I am making sure to weigh everything so that I can be a valuable member and not regret my decision later. I am not taking this lightly, which is kind of how I perceive your comment towards my attitude. If it is not, I am sorry and please forgive my accusation. I just want you to know this is not some whim, but a choice I have been looking at very carefully.

[Wapadi]

Our experience has been great in the military but we are married so a lot of the rules are different.

Here are some facts as I know them though
You can not keep pets in the dorms. You are inspected regularly so trying to sneak them will not work
You have to live on base unless you are married or have achieved E5 in rank.

Now if you are married....I just packed up all of our scaled kids in tubs and moved! 3 times so far in 2 years. We have been lucky to get base housing that do not count scaley friends as pets! We have made some serious mistakes and some not so serious ones. But overall, our military life has been a very enjoyable one.

Oh we are Navy!!

[Himitsu]

Thanks Wapadi. I was told it was at least 6 months to move out of the dorms, but no required rank was given either so I'm not sure if it was simply forgotten/not mentioned or if the policy is different with the Air Force. I am still doing more research to figure out what would best to do with my snakes. As I said above, if possible I want to keep both of them, or at the ball python since I have had her the longest, but do understand if it is not in their best interest.

[spitzu]

Thanks Wapadi. I was told it was at least 6 months to move out of the dorms, but no required rank was given either so I'm not sure if it was simply forgotten/not mentioned or if the policy is different with the Air Force. I am still doing more research to figure out what would best to do with my snakes. As I said above, if possible I want to keep both of them, or at the ball python since I have had her the longest, but do understand if it is not in their best interest.

This was over a decade ago but E-4 was the rule at my first base, though some got out of the dorms before that due to space limitations. It will vary at each location.

[jclaiborne]

I was in the Marine Corps for 5 years... Rule number 1 dont' believe anything your recruiter says...they will tell you what you want to hear to meet their quota, its sad to say, but it is true. You can't have pets in the barracks and I have never seen anyone get BAH and move off base 6 months after completing training unless they are married. I don't know how often you change duty stations in the Air Force, however in the 5 years that I was in the Corps I moved 6 times. There are times that you move and have to live on base. We had a Gunny that was married with 3 kids and was moved up to Lemoore Naval Base and was given Geo-Bachelor orders meaning that he lived on base and his family wasn't able to move with him. Expect the unexpected.