Military with children?

[RetiredJedi]

Go air force and you'll drastically lower the likelihood of deployment and decrease the duration if you do deploy, plus you will be more desirable to employers once you get out.

That's a pretty bold statement and a matter of opinion and frankly one that I don't believe is true at all. If you are successful in the military you will be desirable no matter what branch you are from. Mostly in the Air Force, they cater more towards the Officers and you get much better leadership skills in the Army of Marines. Air Force does 6 months deployed and Army is now gonna start to do 9 months. I know because I've had Soldiers go from Air Force to Army for that very reason.

LGray, you really can't go wrong going in the military. I did 20 years and don't regret one second of it. I retired when I was 38 in 2006 and am now working as a civilian for the Department of the Army. Granted the reserves are different because you can retire but your retirement comes later. Yes it gets hard being away from your kids but if you know they are in good hands while you are gone it makes it a little bit easier. I personally believe everyone should do one term in the service just to get that life experience. The Army does in fact have a two year contract but your job opportunities are limited. The military is what you make it.

[sho220]

That's a pretty bold statement and a matter of opinion and frankly one that I don't believe is true at all. If you are successful in the military you will be desirable no matter what branch you are from. Mostly in the Air Force, they cater more towards the Officers and you get much better leadership skills in the Army of Marines. Air Force does 6 months deployed and Army is now gonna start to do 9 months. I know because I've had Soldiers go from Air Force to Army for that very reason.

Personally I think it's more important to be careful in choosing your MOS or "rate" as we called it in the Coast Guard...that will determine how employable you are once you're out...more than what branch you served in...