Hi Ladies!
My DH has recently lost his job. He is now pursuing entering the Air Force. I think this would be a great decision for our family, but of course I have some apprehension. I have a few questions, and really hope you all can provide me with some insight into what to expect during this entire process.
1. How much time would I have to prepare from the time of talking to a recruiter until he leaves for boot camp?
2. How did you feel while your H was away at boot camp? How did you manage?
3. What happens after boot camp?
4. Does he get paid while he is in boot camp?
If I think of more, I will add to this. I am very nervous about him being away so long, but I know it will work out best in the long run. Support and advice is appreciated! I look forward to becoming a military wife.
Re: Seeking advice
Hello fellow October mom!
Yea, I'm cheesy.
Anyway. I met my husband at his first duty station so I don't know much about BMT. He said you do get paid while there and the time that he would leave from the time he talks to the recruiter depends on the open slots for his job and some other variances.
After boot camp, he will go to tech school to train for his specific job. The location of his school and the time he is at tech school depends on his job.
Hey, I know you!
I'm always lurking on 6-9, because i'm a creeper like that. (And I am too lazy to 1ht while nursing).
Thanks for responding. When he goes to tech school, do I live with him/near him, or does he go away like he does for BMT? I am admittedly attached at the hip to DH, so this is going to be so tough. Especially B not having his daddy around for 8 weeks. I am excited but terrified.
Right now he is in college for his engineering degree, so he wants to do something in the technology field. We are in FL right now, but my entire family was considering moving to CO. I think I saw a tech school there? Anyway, if it is months long, would we just live nearby? Would that be a good call or should we stay put or....what? Good lord, this is a lot to take in. What an adjustment it is going to be.
ETA: and if his training is over 6 months, I think you guys have the option to move close. If you don't, you should at least get family/sep pay.
My head. It's a'spinnin.
So to do something technology based, he will have to train longer? What are the basic tech school job options? Am I driving you nuts yet?
Check this
HI and welcome.
There is a button in my siggy that will lead you to the MN FAQ page. There is a ton of info there that you may find interesting.
If your H decides to go the enlisted route, he will go to BMT and then tech school. If tech school is longer than 6 months, you may be given the option of moving with him. Unless it is a year long, I don't recomend it for people with kids. Pack up and move. Stay a few months. Pack up and move again. Not really good for little people. Besides, he needs to focus on his training.
After training, he will receive orders for his first duty station. If the orders include his family, you will start looking for housing and prepare to move. I believe the AF gives him a certain amount of time to move his family.
I'm more familiar with the Army than I am the AF, but there isn't a huge difference in the way things are done. You have to be willing to be patient. You have to be willing to take the back burner to his work. You learn to take advantage of all the time you have together. You have to be a strong and independent person. You will spend a lot of time apart.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. Things are pretty slow around here on the weekends. More people will pop on and answer by Monday.
Everyone else gave you great advice and said everything I was going to say as far as being paid, moving and such. DH is in the Army so I will say what I know from our experience. Where he did his tech school depended on what his mos (job) was.
From an emotional standpoint, I was miserable the first two weeks. It was a huge adjustment. But, after that the time flew by. I couldn't believe when he was graduating. I highly suggest lots of letter writing, and going to his graduation. It isn't always an easy lifestyle, and there is lots of time apart, but the time together always makes it worth it.