The Navy

My Dad is retired Navy so I deffinately have a soft spot for the Navy.  He would/should enter as an officer, that's what I was told when I talked to a recruiter, that w/ a degree your automatically an officer and depending on what the degree is could effict what level of an officer you are.  (Side note, turns out I'm medically disqualifed from joining).  We didn't move around at all while he was in the Navy (later on, however is a totally different story), mostly b/c my Mom refused to.  So when he was supposed to be home he had to come back to where we were.  It wasn't too bad b/c his station was only a few hours away, maybe even 1 to 2, so he did alot of comuting also.  I'm told there were long periods of time that he was gone, but I really don't remember that.  I don't remember him not being around.  Anyway, Dad really liked being in the Navy.  I think some people are just made for that.  Oh, and Navy doesn't mean that they are only on water.  Dad was in Vietnam and saw action (not sure on the details, no one wants to talk about it) so it's possible.

My husband is active duty Navy as well. He'll be getting out in December. My situation is very similar to Brianne's (RupsMom). My father was active duty Army, so I grew up in a military family, and was very accustomed to the lifestyle. Then, I met my husband, and essentially married into the military as well.

It is a challenging lifestyle, but I kind of enjoy it as well. The 6 month deployments are hard (we've got one coming up next week, actually.), but as for the frequent 1 to 2 week underways, I actually enjoy the time to myself. It gives us both a chance to have some time apart, and I really feel like it's enriched our marriage more than anything.

You do have to be an independent person to have a spouse in the military, as well as a strong marriage or reelationship for things to work despite the distances you'll be forced to endure. But there are many of us military wives out there, and you'll more than likely be stationed somewhere that the military is pretty prevelant. That always helps, because you're bound to find a support structure of other people who are going through the same things as you are.

The military really does take care of its people, I have to say that. We've both got fantastic medical insurance, and the Navy's Basic Allowance for Housing more than pays for our mortgage each month. It definitely has its positives...

Feel free to PM me if I can answer any questions.

Has he considered the Coast Guard?  We're trying to get BF's nephew to consider the Coast Guard because of all the skills he'd learn.  He wants to help people and ultimately become a police officer.  When I see the incredible things the Coast Guard does right here in the US, I am mighty impressed.  There are just so many options.