Hey guys! Today officially marks exactly 2 weeks until I'm stepping off of that bus, onto Lackland AFB! Ahhhhhhhhh. I'm still super pumped, but the nerves have definitely set in.
I'm starting to miss my September shipper friends more and more!! I wish that they could be here for me to talk to about all of this! We were all really good at keeping each other distracted when we wanted to be, or getting serious and talking about how we're feeling, or what's going on in our lives. I've been in contact with them via mail, though! I haven't talked to my soulmate, Brittany, though. I never saw her address posted on her Facebook page, so that makes me sad. =[ I sure could use a good laugh, or even just a nice convo with her about anything. Which reminds me....PLL premieres tonight! I swore to her that I would watch it and fill her in on all the juicy details, but alas I cannot. I may just make an entire post dedicated to it, though, that way she can read all about it when she gets out of BMT!!
Anyway, I've had several "Oh Shit!" moments lately. From walking down the Christmas aisle at the store, to just looking at my oldest nephew, I realize how much I'm going to miss everything and everyone. My husband nearly gave me a heart attack yesterday when he informed me he was going to have to do the taxes alone this year. =\ Yeah. NO. I'm praying to have a relatively short Tech School that way I can get back before April 15 (coincidentally my oldest nephew's birthday =]) and file those taxes! My poor husband is having to take on a lot while I'll be gone. I've always handled the bills, and most of them are in my name. I'm the one that calls to get stuff taken care of when a company messes up our bill, or anything like that. I'm the one that pays our property taxes and has our vehicles assessed and then gets our tags renewed. I'm the one that goes grocery shopping and actually makes a list, a budget, and sticks to both. I do not fear that he won't be able to do it. I have complete faith in him. He can do it, without a doubt. But, I just feel like since he has to do everything by himself, he may become overwhelmed. It's a good thing he has his mom and my mom close by to help him with everything. I'm sure my recruiter could also provide him with a considerable amount of advice, since he's done it himself, and has put many married recruits through.
Now, I'm down to picking out jobs and bases. This is the one thing I've been procrastinating on. Which is ridiculous, I know. But, I keep saying, "Oh, I have plenty of time for that!" Well, two weeks away, and still nada. I've enlisted the help of my friend Lee, (see Interview with an Airman, part 2) to sort things out. He's researching a few jobs I wasn't sure of. Bless his heart.
Tomorrow, I get to go to one of the nearby colleges with my recruiter for a career fair! I'm rather excited about it. However, I'm not excited about my 0430 wake up call. I have to be at his office approx. 0630. Yikes! We have to get to the college (roughly an hour or so drive), set up our little booth, and be ready to go at 0800. Craziness. But, I'm happy to do it. I legit have the best recruiter out there, and he's helped me out so much through this process, that this is the least I could do. I plan on making him take a picture with me before I leave. Hahahahaha. That's another reason I'm hoping to have a rather short Tech School. His contract is up next year, and he expects to be gone from this area by July. I graduate BMT the beginning of January, and most of the jobs I'm looking at have a Tech School length of 1-2.5 months (just in class days, so we could probably say 3-4 months to be safe). That would put me arriving back home for RAP in May-ish. Fingers crossed!
Alright, time to call it to a close. Gotta get back to my research on jobs and bases that my husband wouldn't mind. =] Have a lovely Air Force day recruits!
Showing posts with label Enlistment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Enlistment. Show all posts
23 October 2012
13 September 2012
DEP Call Anticipation.
Hey guys! Just doing a quick check in.
I have a DEP call in about 4 hours. And I'm not feeling too hot today. I've had a massive, pounding headache, and some nausea. It sucks! We have a RAPper in our DEP right now, and he's going to be at DEP call today. We're going to do a mock-PT test, then he's going to do a nice little PT session. By nice little PT session, I mean what the Security Forces Tech School PT was like. Fun stuff.
Anyway, I haven't heard from my friend that was supposed to call the other night! I've been told that if they don't call within the first 72 hours upon arrival at Lackland, you can call or email them (the personnel at Lackland) and you can get their address. However, I think you have to have like, their SSN, and a whole bunch of other specific information that I do not have. It'll be okay though! I know they're doing just fine. Those MTI's may be mean, but they're looking out for all the Trainees!
Well, I'll sign off for now. I'll update maybe tonight or tomorrow with my PT test results. Be prepared for awfulness. Haha! I don't think I'll do too bad. The push ups is what'll get me. Anyway, have a lovely afternoon! =]
I have a DEP call in about 4 hours. And I'm not feeling too hot today. I've had a massive, pounding headache, and some nausea. It sucks! We have a RAPper in our DEP right now, and he's going to be at DEP call today. We're going to do a mock-PT test, then he's going to do a nice little PT session. By nice little PT session, I mean what the Security Forces Tech School PT was like. Fun stuff.
Anyway, I haven't heard from my friend that was supposed to call the other night! I've been told that if they don't call within the first 72 hours upon arrival at Lackland, you can call or email them (the personnel at Lackland) and you can get their address. However, I think you have to have like, their SSN, and a whole bunch of other specific information that I do not have. It'll be okay though! I know they're doing just fine. Those MTI's may be mean, but they're looking out for all the Trainees!
Well, I'll sign off for now. I'll update maybe tonight or tomorrow with my PT test results. Be prepared for awfulness. Haha! I don't think I'll do too bad. The push ups is what'll get me. Anyway, have a lovely afternoon! =]
12 September 2012
Surrealism.
Well, today I saw (metaphorically) off some of my friends for BMT. It kinda sucks. Of course, they're all members of my BMT group on Facebook. I actually got to meet one of them, though! He lives about an hour away from me, and we did a public swear in together a few weeks ago at a baseball game. I was SO excited to get to meet him!
I feel like one of those creepers that you see in the movies. Haha! But these guys have become some of my best friends, even if it's just over Facebook. One day, we'll all meet up. I know it! The Air Force isn't that big. =]
All day long I was just a ball of nerves. I honestly felt like I was going to MEPS, swearing in, waiting around at the airport, riding the bus and everything. They kept me, and our group, updated throughout their whole day. I was even up at 4 this morning!! I'm so happy for them, and excited. I know at this exact moment they're having their "Holy shit, what did I just get myself into?!" moments, but that'll fade within the next few days/weeks. These people, they've got what it takes. I have no doubt about that.
Now, it's a little past midnight, and they're all probably still playing pick 'em ups, or hearing their MTI's running into their dorms screaming at them to wake up and stand at attention. I'm actually hoping to receive a phone call tonight, or whenever they're allowed to make that first phone call, from one of the people in the group! I was more than willing to be their support system. Nobody should have to go through something like BMT and not have anyone to share their experiences with, or their fears. They didn't really want to call their family because they're not all too close by any means. They wanted to act like it was no big deal, which was actually quite believable. However, I can read people quite well! The call could come in 5 seconds from now, or at 2 a.m., or tomorrow morning. Who knows? Hopefully, I'll be awake to answer it, or at least hear my phone ringing in my sleep.
I'm down to 1 person in the September group that is one of my close friends. And she's leaving next week! We actually don't live too awfully far from each other, and were able to meet up this past weekend at an Air Show at our closest AFB! It was awesome! I feel like these next 2 months are just going to drag by so slow. I'm down to 55 days (54 til MEPS!). I'll get to speak with my 4thers for a few days before I leave, but the 11thers will be graduating the week I arrive. =[ It sucks so bad! I won't even get to talk to them before I leave! Of course we still have letter-writing, but still. No more awkward ooVoo sessions, no more random, ADD posts, no more dimple, no more cats, no more Batman. Nothing.
This all seems so weird to me! I had a "Holy Shit!" moment earlier today. I think it was due to the fact that my friends were all experiencing their ship day, after talking about it for months and months. They were actually at MEPS. They actually swore into Active Duty. They actually flew to San Antonio. They actually loaded onto a bus, and drove onto Lackland AFB where they're currently flipping out. This will be me in less than 2 months.
I don't really know how to react to it, honestly. I'm still 100% positive this is what I want to do. I'm meant to do it. No questions there. But, can I do it? Do I actually have what it takes to become an American Airman? I've always known it would be hard. I've always known that I'm going to have so many struggles along the way, but they really got put into perspective for me today. I'm not worried about the PT portion of BMT too much. I can definitely run like no one's business right now, so with another 55 days of prep, I'll be good to go. Push ups...meh. I can do 12 now, though!! Graduating standards are only 18, so if I can't come up with 6 more in 4 months, something's wrong there. I can do 32 sit ups. The only reason they're that low is because the last time I timed myself, I got incredibly tired for some reason around 22ish, and slowed wayyyy down. All of that will be a breeze. But it's the mind games. Not the ones played by the MTI's. I know what they're trying to accomplish with those. They must break you down, to build you back up as an Airman. Someone worthy of defending our great country. Someone that will not falter, and will not fail. Failure has never been an option for me. Now more than ever, I want to succeed. I must succeed.
I have a tendency to over think and over analyze everything. I'm also OCD. Not like, not able to function properly, but things must be a certain way. I must do them a certain way. It's weird. I've always been a very logical person, and I like to think I have more common sense than the average person. So, when I combine those two things, it gets bad. Well, in regards to BMT.
This is how I see it: A 22 year old, 5'2", 135 pound, Southern girl with no college education, got married at 19, has never been independent her whole adult life, is about to embark upon the toughest journey less than 1% of Americans take. Of that 1%, only .01% are Air Force (at least, so I've been told). She has 3 years worth of management experience under her belt, has dealt with enough stupid people to last anyone a lifetime, and has handled the stresses of young marriage, crazy work schedules, stalkers, debt, poverty, growing up without a father, being a full time student and employee at the same time, being the perfect housewife and all. So how does that relate to the Air Force? These things are definitely a symbol of an overcomer, but, can she overcome Basic Military Training? Where MTI's don't care who you are, who your parents are, what your feelings are, if you're tired, scared, have the sniffles, anything. Can she do it?
I guess that's my food for thought. It's probably what every DEPper has felt at some time or another, but it's still tough to deal with. I want this more than anything, and I hope that that kind of determination I have will be my light when it all seems so dark. It will guide me home.
"And the only solution was to stand and fight.
And my body was loose and I was set alight.
But, she came over me like some holy rite.
And although I was burning, you're the only light,
Only if for a night."
-Florence + The Machine "Only If For A Night"
I feel like one of those creepers that you see in the movies. Haha! But these guys have become some of my best friends, even if it's just over Facebook. One day, we'll all meet up. I know it! The Air Force isn't that big. =]
All day long I was just a ball of nerves. I honestly felt like I was going to MEPS, swearing in, waiting around at the airport, riding the bus and everything. They kept me, and our group, updated throughout their whole day. I was even up at 4 this morning!! I'm so happy for them, and excited. I know at this exact moment they're having their "Holy shit, what did I just get myself into?!" moments, but that'll fade within the next few days/weeks. These people, they've got what it takes. I have no doubt about that.
Now, it's a little past midnight, and they're all probably still playing pick 'em ups, or hearing their MTI's running into their dorms screaming at them to wake up and stand at attention. I'm actually hoping to receive a phone call tonight, or whenever they're allowed to make that first phone call, from one of the people in the group! I was more than willing to be their support system. Nobody should have to go through something like BMT and not have anyone to share their experiences with, or their fears. They didn't really want to call their family because they're not all too close by any means. They wanted to act like it was no big deal, which was actually quite believable. However, I can read people quite well! The call could come in 5 seconds from now, or at 2 a.m., or tomorrow morning. Who knows? Hopefully, I'll be awake to answer it, or at least hear my phone ringing in my sleep.
I'm down to 1 person in the September group that is one of my close friends. And she's leaving next week! We actually don't live too awfully far from each other, and were able to meet up this past weekend at an Air Show at our closest AFB! It was awesome! I feel like these next 2 months are just going to drag by so slow. I'm down to 55 days (54 til MEPS!). I'll get to speak with my 4thers for a few days before I leave, but the 11thers will be graduating the week I arrive. =[ It sucks so bad! I won't even get to talk to them before I leave! Of course we still have letter-writing, but still. No more awkward ooVoo sessions, no more random, ADD posts, no more dimple, no more cats, no more Batman. Nothing.
This all seems so weird to me! I had a "Holy Shit!" moment earlier today. I think it was due to the fact that my friends were all experiencing their ship day, after talking about it for months and months. They were actually at MEPS. They actually swore into Active Duty. They actually flew to San Antonio. They actually loaded onto a bus, and drove onto Lackland AFB where they're currently flipping out. This will be me in less than 2 months.
I don't really know how to react to it, honestly. I'm still 100% positive this is what I want to do. I'm meant to do it. No questions there. But, can I do it? Do I actually have what it takes to become an American Airman? I've always known it would be hard. I've always known that I'm going to have so many struggles along the way, but they really got put into perspective for me today. I'm not worried about the PT portion of BMT too much. I can definitely run like no one's business right now, so with another 55 days of prep, I'll be good to go. Push ups...meh. I can do 12 now, though!! Graduating standards are only 18, so if I can't come up with 6 more in 4 months, something's wrong there. I can do 32 sit ups. The only reason they're that low is because the last time I timed myself, I got incredibly tired for some reason around 22ish, and slowed wayyyy down. All of that will be a breeze. But it's the mind games. Not the ones played by the MTI's. I know what they're trying to accomplish with those. They must break you down, to build you back up as an Airman. Someone worthy of defending our great country. Someone that will not falter, and will not fail. Failure has never been an option for me. Now more than ever, I want to succeed. I must succeed.
I have a tendency to over think and over analyze everything. I'm also OCD. Not like, not able to function properly, but things must be a certain way. I must do them a certain way. It's weird. I've always been a very logical person, and I like to think I have more common sense than the average person. So, when I combine those two things, it gets bad. Well, in regards to BMT.
This is how I see it: A 22 year old, 5'2", 135 pound, Southern girl with no college education, got married at 19, has never been independent her whole adult life, is about to embark upon the toughest journey less than 1% of Americans take. Of that 1%, only .01% are Air Force (at least, so I've been told). She has 3 years worth of management experience under her belt, has dealt with enough stupid people to last anyone a lifetime, and has handled the stresses of young marriage, crazy work schedules, stalkers, debt, poverty, growing up without a father, being a full time student and employee at the same time, being the perfect housewife and all. So how does that relate to the Air Force? These things are definitely a symbol of an overcomer, but, can she overcome Basic Military Training? Where MTI's don't care who you are, who your parents are, what your feelings are, if you're tired, scared, have the sniffles, anything. Can she do it?
I guess that's my food for thought. It's probably what every DEPper has felt at some time or another, but it's still tough to deal with. I want this more than anything, and I hope that that kind of determination I have will be my light when it all seems so dark. It will guide me home.
"And the only solution was to stand and fight.
And my body was loose and I was set alight.
But, she came over me like some holy rite.
And although I was burning, you're the only light,
Only if for a night."
-Florence + The Machine "Only If For A Night"
10 September 2012
September to Remember
This post is going to be dedicated to all of my September 11 Shippers. =]
Guys, I already posted in the group about how much I'll miss y'all, but figured I'd take the time to make a blog post just for y'all!!!
Brandon: I've already told you how you're my favorite and all, but for reals. You are my fave!! You're tons of fun, and don't take anything too seriously. We have the same attitude about mostly everything (especially creepers!), and I'm still going to send you letters written on pink, glittery paper =]
Brittany: Girl, you are my soul mate foreva. We've had some awesome laughs, and we know what's up when it comes to guys! Boobs > anything! I still wish I could sneak in your bag and camp out under your bunk for the next 55 days!!
Callie: I've loved getting to know you the past several months, and am happy to have found another Southerner like myself!! You're going to kick BMT's ass! Don't ever let anyone hold you back!
Chris: Dimple. That's all that really needs to be said, but I'll say more =] I know you've worked incredibly hard to get to the point where you are now, and couldn't be any happier for you! The next 2 years are going to be the toughest you'll have to face, but you can make it through! You're a boss. I'm always going to be pulling for you!
Dari: Dear, sweet, Dari. I will miss your clever humor oh so much. You always get the group in a fantastic mood, and cheer everyone up when they're feeling down. I'm still going to creep your videos, also. =]
Jake: You're the Batman to my Catwoman. What else needs to be said?! =]
Matt: I've enjoyed getting to know you, and was pleasantly surprised by how much we have in common! It was nice having someone else who was married to talk to about it all! Just stay tough, and you'll be back home with the wifey soon!! =]
Michael: I'm so excited that we got to meet!! And angry that I somehow was deaf enough to not hear you yelling at me to take a picture!! We gotta represent for the Memphis area! Go in there, and show those MTI's what's up! Just be yourself: a badass.
For those I missed, I did not do it intentionally! I just read the names off the doc in the group, and spoke from my heart! I know I've gotten to know the other 11thers pretty well, and wish them all the best throughout their BMT/Tech School and Operational journey!! Always remember in your toughest, darkest times that what you're doing is so much greater than yourself. Think about everything you've sacrificed to get to the point that you're at, and use that as fuel. You only go through BMT once, so make it worth it!! When you're feeling down, remember that hundreds upon hundreds of trainees graduate every week, and if some of those dummies can do, y'all will have a walk in the park! Tonight and tomorrow are the last times we'll really get to speak (aside from letters, of course!). It's sad to think about, but I'll be there in 55 days, y'all!! Hopefully in the few days y'all will have left while I'm there, we'll spot each other! I absolutely cannot wait to serve our country alongside each and every one of you. You will all become great Airmen, and I'll see you on the other side of the Blue!
01 September 2012
Counting Down
Okay everyone, I feel so bad for just leaving y'all hanging with my post about my ship date! It's time for me to elaborate a bit more haha!
So on 19 Aug I had something crazy happen to me, which I'll explain later, just know it was pretty life-altering. Well, that was a Sunday night, around 10 p.m. and the first thing I did on that Monday, 20 Aug, was go to my recruiter. I explained my situation to him, and that I would be ready to go at a moment's notice if he could get me a date to leave. I've been hardcore working out! I'm running 2+ miles a day, 6 days a week. I even got my 1.5 mile time down to 10:12!! It's crazy! I can even do 11 push ups now! It just kind of happened one day. I went from being able to do next to none, to 5, to 11 withing a few days time. I've also dropped a tremendous amount of weight, putting me way below my max! My sit ups are fine, I can 34, and the minimum to graduate is 38. I told my recruiter all of this, and he said he would be more than willing to make me his number one priority. He could see all of my hard work and dedication, so he wanted to help me out.
Well, that next day, Tuesday, he got the call from his boss that there was a slot available for Open General (I think the higher one) leaving 6 Nov. He almost flipped. He was so surprised since I had just come in asking for something! Well, of course he couldn't call and let me know right then. He needed to make sure paperwork went through, and that it was actually available rather than calling me and getting my hopes up, in case it fell through. On Wednesday, I was working a 9-5 shift. I had to go run a few errands on my lunch break, and then stopped at Sonic just to get a drink. I pulled back up to the mall parking lot, received a text and was replying to it while I was getting out of my car to head back in. I was mid-text when my phone rang and I saw my recruiter's name. I kind of had a "Holy crap, this is it" moment, then decided to not get my hopes up and just figured he was calling to check in. I had been keeping my phone on me at all times at work just in case he called to tell me I would be leaving soon, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to say "Yes"! But, as my recruiter informed me, if it were that, and I wasn't answering my phone, he would just come over to my work (His office is literally right across the street).
So, I answer my phone, and he asks me how I was doing, where I was at with weight and everything then my heart skipped a few beats. I stopped dead in my tracks in the middle of the parking lot and had such a major girly moment of OMG's and doing a happy dance. It was almost embarrassing. But not quite =] He said, "Starr, I have some news. I got you a date for Basic Training." I barely heard anything he said after that for a few minutes. So he had to tell me again =] I'm leaving in 65 days (64 for MEPS)!!!
My life just feels so...right...now!! I cannot believe it. I lucked out getting to leave so soon, however, I wish it would've been with my September shippers (Preferably the 11th =])!! The 11thers will graduate TWO WHOLE DAYS after I get there. It sucks, but they're all excited for me. And we're all excited to catch up in Tech School. Since I have a General Aptitude, I have no idea what job I'll get, or even where I'll be going for Tech School! I'm pretty much okay with that, though. I got a ship date, so I can deal with the unknown =]
I've become more active in the November shippers page, but it's just not the same as September. I've known these guys since April, when I first went and met with my recruiter and started the whole process. I've had 5 months of getting to know them, and developing a bond. I know that sounds almost creepy and strange since it's online, but you can always tell when you've made [a] friend(s) for life. I'm hoping to develop a relationship close to this with some of my fellow November shippers! BMT is one of the toughest things you'll ever go through, and having a good wingman or two will make that process a bit easier. And if I can get to start those friendships sooner rather than later, it'll make a world of difference! I'm just happy to have people, regardless of what month they're shipping, that can understand how I feel. Sure, you can explain to it civilians, but they'll never truly understand why you do what you do. An Airman always will.
With that, I'm signing off. I've gotta get up and get ready for work, and do a little more BMT shopping! Yay for coupons! Everyone have an awesome Air Force Day!!
So on 19 Aug I had something crazy happen to me, which I'll explain later, just know it was pretty life-altering. Well, that was a Sunday night, around 10 p.m. and the first thing I did on that Monday, 20 Aug, was go to my recruiter. I explained my situation to him, and that I would be ready to go at a moment's notice if he could get me a date to leave. I've been hardcore working out! I'm running 2+ miles a day, 6 days a week. I even got my 1.5 mile time down to 10:12!! It's crazy! I can even do 11 push ups now! It just kind of happened one day. I went from being able to do next to none, to 5, to 11 withing a few days time. I've also dropped a tremendous amount of weight, putting me way below my max! My sit ups are fine, I can 34, and the minimum to graduate is 38. I told my recruiter all of this, and he said he would be more than willing to make me his number one priority. He could see all of my hard work and dedication, so he wanted to help me out.
Well, that next day, Tuesday, he got the call from his boss that there was a slot available for Open General (I think the higher one) leaving 6 Nov. He almost flipped. He was so surprised since I had just come in asking for something! Well, of course he couldn't call and let me know right then. He needed to make sure paperwork went through, and that it was actually available rather than calling me and getting my hopes up, in case it fell through. On Wednesday, I was working a 9-5 shift. I had to go run a few errands on my lunch break, and then stopped at Sonic just to get a drink. I pulled back up to the mall parking lot, received a text and was replying to it while I was getting out of my car to head back in. I was mid-text when my phone rang and I saw my recruiter's name. I kind of had a "Holy crap, this is it" moment, then decided to not get my hopes up and just figured he was calling to check in. I had been keeping my phone on me at all times at work just in case he called to tell me I would be leaving soon, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to say "Yes"! But, as my recruiter informed me, if it were that, and I wasn't answering my phone, he would just come over to my work (His office is literally right across the street).
So, I answer my phone, and he asks me how I was doing, where I was at with weight and everything then my heart skipped a few beats. I stopped dead in my tracks in the middle of the parking lot and had such a major girly moment of OMG's and doing a happy dance. It was almost embarrassing. But not quite =] He said, "Starr, I have some news. I got you a date for Basic Training." I barely heard anything he said after that for a few minutes. So he had to tell me again =] I'm leaving in 65 days (64 for MEPS)!!!
My life just feels so...right...now!! I cannot believe it. I lucked out getting to leave so soon, however, I wish it would've been with my September shippers (Preferably the 11th =])!! The 11thers will graduate TWO WHOLE DAYS after I get there. It sucks, but they're all excited for me. And we're all excited to catch up in Tech School. Since I have a General Aptitude, I have no idea what job I'll get, or even where I'll be going for Tech School! I'm pretty much okay with that, though. I got a ship date, so I can deal with the unknown =]
I've become more active in the November shippers page, but it's just not the same as September. I've known these guys since April, when I first went and met with my recruiter and started the whole process. I've had 5 months of getting to know them, and developing a bond. I know that sounds almost creepy and strange since it's online, but you can always tell when you've made [a] friend(s) for life. I'm hoping to develop a relationship close to this with some of my fellow November shippers! BMT is one of the toughest things you'll ever go through, and having a good wingman or two will make that process a bit easier. And if I can get to start those friendships sooner rather than later, it'll make a world of difference! I'm just happy to have people, regardless of what month they're shipping, that can understand how I feel. Sure, you can explain to it civilians, but they'll never truly understand why you do what you do. An Airman always will.
With that, I'm signing off. I've gotta get up and get ready for work, and do a little more BMT shopping! Yay for coupons! Everyone have an awesome Air Force Day!!
18 August 2012
Marriage in the Military
Hey guys, I've been wanting to post about this for a while. It's something I'm going through, and I'm sure some of you are. If not, you probably will eventually!!
Whether you're in the DEP, operational, or a milspouse, you know this is a big deal. Joining any branch of service is a life-changing event. Once you're in, you can't get out just because your spouse doesn't want you to be in anymore. There's a lot more to it than that. But, if you're lucky enough to marry someone who is in the Military, whether it's your branch or not, they'll understand what you're going through. They understand the need you feel to serve your country, and they definitely understand Service before Self. It's hard, but with the right people, you can make it work.
When you initially make the decision to speak with a recruiter, you're probably already pretty set on joining. It was that way with me, I researched everything I could for a few weeks before I spoke with mine, and I talked to my husband about it. He said he was fine with it, so a few days later I called my recruiter and we got it started. Over the course of my enlistment process, he's gone back and forth on whether he's for it or not. Please remember in this post, I'm not trying to make my husband out to be a bad person. Every person is entitled to their opinions, he just doesn't want to leave his family and everything behind. Don't get me wrong, my husband loves his country, and is very thankful to all those serving. I mean, his sister and his brother-in-law are currently serving! He's had other family members in various branches, so he knows. He wanted to join the Marines for the longest time. I was always a selfish person, and didn't want him to. Granted, he wanted to do something along the lines of Infantry, and surely you all can understand why I felt that way. A wife worries about her husband constantly, and the fact that he was wanting to do something so...dangerous...at a point where we were right in the middle of this current war, was terrifying to me. But, around the end of last year/beginning of this year, a friend changed my mind. I have a former co-worker who is in the National Guard, and he was deployed to Afghanistan for a year not long ago. I think he returned home about a year ago. Well, we spoke for a while on this, and he went so in depth on everything, and really made me understand what it's like. You'd think that would scare me more, but actually knowing what's going on, made it better. So I told him I'd be okay with it. I asked if he wanted me to look into everything for him, and possibly contact a recruiter. He said sure! So I got it going for him, and even went to speak with the recruiter myself (since it's the Marines, and we know that they're known for being smack dab in the middle of a combat zone). We set up a time for my husband to go speak with him alone, and was done. Oh, I should mention my husband knew about that beforehand, haha!
Well, when the day came for him to go talk to him, he flipped out. He decided that I was trying to push him into it, and he didn't want to. I said okay, that's fine. I was kinda pushing him into it, because I thought it was something he really wanted to do, but I was wrong, I guess. So I let it go. That was probably mid-January. Well, I realized several months later, I really wasn't going anywhere with my life, at least career-wise, so I started looking into Cosmetology School, and other different jobs. Well, when I was doing a job search through Monster, I think, I noticed the National Guard had actually listed jobs! I though it was cute! But it got me thinking.....my SIL is in the AF, and we're almost the same person. She's stubborn, independent, and a go-getter. I figured if she could survive basic training, then so could I. That wasn't meant to be derogatory in any way, haha! So I talked to her about it first, then started doing my own research...and now, here we are. I officially swore into the DEP 1 month ago today. The things it took to get here were ridiculous, and I can't imagine backing out now. I want this so badly, I want to make a difference. I want to serve my country. This is my calling in life, as cheesy as that sounds. I never felt so...right about something.
So where we are with is, is here: I'm in the Air Force (minus the important stuff like BMT, Tech School, you know =] ). My husband doesn't want to move, and isn't going to move. Therefore, we're stuck. Unless I choose to switch to Reserves, then I'll have to move. I don't want to be RES, it's great for those who do, though! I just feel my calling is to be AD. I don't know where to go from here. He doesn't want to leave his family, which is definitely understandable, but when we got married, we agreed to be each other's number 2 (God First). In a Christian marriage, you enter into it as one flesh. You agree to leave your father, brother, sister, mother, cousin, aunt, uncle all of them behind. Well, not behind, just farther down your list of priorities. As a non-married person, you probably put your parents before your boyfriend/girlfriend, and that's fine. But, when you get married, your spouse is your everything. You are supposed to support them in all they do, no matter what. I've always supported his every decision, even before we were married. I know I'm asking a lot, but I just feel he should have given it more thought before deciding against it. So, it looks as if it's coming to an end, and I hate it. It makes me sick.
I love him more than life itself, but what do I do? Do I deny this calling I have, or stay in my small town, resenting the fact I didn't get to do what I was meant to do?
You have to be a very strong, united front, to be able to survive a military marriage. With the imminent chances of deployment (not just to Iraq or Afghanistan, but anywhere), the strenuous work, the strict rules and regulations, and the hard core values of the Air Force (primarily, Service Before Self), it's a very hard thing to cope with as a civilian. You can't really understand the need or the want to do it all.
My advice is this: be 100% sure that this is what you want. Getting to the point of swearing in, then the arrival at BMT, you have to want this more than anything. Yes, anything. My recruiter has always said this. You have to want it more than your spouse, your parents, school, work, all of it. You can't go into BMT not being 100%, or you're destined to fail. Before talking with a recruiter, you should be at least 75% sure this is what you want. After, you should be 100%, or just don't go on with the process. You won't make it. And if you're married, you have to make sure your spouse is at the same level as you, in regards to going through with it. If they're not, you'll be where I am: a crossroad. It's definitely not a fun place, and it's hard to choose. You have to do what is best for you, and follow through. You won't always have the opportunity to join, with the cuts all the branches are making, and the constant chance of getting injured, aging, etc. You have to act now. It's kinda like having kids; you're not getting any younger.
If you have any questions, suggestions, advice, anything, feel free to post. This is a very sensitive subject, and it always requires full attention. Don't go into marriage, the military, or anything half-heartedly. They're all serious commitments, and breaking that commitment has huge repercussions. Not just on you, but everyone around you. Thanks for reading!
"Sometimes bad things happen in life to open up your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before." ---- I saw this on my friends FB status just now, so I thought I'd add this in =]
Whether you're in the DEP, operational, or a milspouse, you know this is a big deal. Joining any branch of service is a life-changing event. Once you're in, you can't get out just because your spouse doesn't want you to be in anymore. There's a lot more to it than that. But, if you're lucky enough to marry someone who is in the Military, whether it's your branch or not, they'll understand what you're going through. They understand the need you feel to serve your country, and they definitely understand Service before Self. It's hard, but with the right people, you can make it work.
When you initially make the decision to speak with a recruiter, you're probably already pretty set on joining. It was that way with me, I researched everything I could for a few weeks before I spoke with mine, and I talked to my husband about it. He said he was fine with it, so a few days later I called my recruiter and we got it started. Over the course of my enlistment process, he's gone back and forth on whether he's for it or not. Please remember in this post, I'm not trying to make my husband out to be a bad person. Every person is entitled to their opinions, he just doesn't want to leave his family and everything behind. Don't get me wrong, my husband loves his country, and is very thankful to all those serving. I mean, his sister and his brother-in-law are currently serving! He's had other family members in various branches, so he knows. He wanted to join the Marines for the longest time. I was always a selfish person, and didn't want him to. Granted, he wanted to do something along the lines of Infantry, and surely you all can understand why I felt that way. A wife worries about her husband constantly, and the fact that he was wanting to do something so...dangerous...at a point where we were right in the middle of this current war, was terrifying to me. But, around the end of last year/beginning of this year, a friend changed my mind. I have a former co-worker who is in the National Guard, and he was deployed to Afghanistan for a year not long ago. I think he returned home about a year ago. Well, we spoke for a while on this, and he went so in depth on everything, and really made me understand what it's like. You'd think that would scare me more, but actually knowing what's going on, made it better. So I told him I'd be okay with it. I asked if he wanted me to look into everything for him, and possibly contact a recruiter. He said sure! So I got it going for him, and even went to speak with the recruiter myself (since it's the Marines, and we know that they're known for being smack dab in the middle of a combat zone). We set up a time for my husband to go speak with him alone, and was done. Oh, I should mention my husband knew about that beforehand, haha!
Well, when the day came for him to go talk to him, he flipped out. He decided that I was trying to push him into it, and he didn't want to. I said okay, that's fine. I was kinda pushing him into it, because I thought it was something he really wanted to do, but I was wrong, I guess. So I let it go. That was probably mid-January. Well, I realized several months later, I really wasn't going anywhere with my life, at least career-wise, so I started looking into Cosmetology School, and other different jobs. Well, when I was doing a job search through Monster, I think, I noticed the National Guard had actually listed jobs! I though it was cute! But it got me thinking.....my SIL is in the AF, and we're almost the same person. She's stubborn, independent, and a go-getter. I figured if she could survive basic training, then so could I. That wasn't meant to be derogatory in any way, haha! So I talked to her about it first, then started doing my own research...and now, here we are. I officially swore into the DEP 1 month ago today. The things it took to get here were ridiculous, and I can't imagine backing out now. I want this so badly, I want to make a difference. I want to serve my country. This is my calling in life, as cheesy as that sounds. I never felt so...right about something.
So where we are with is, is here: I'm in the Air Force (minus the important stuff like BMT, Tech School, you know =] ). My husband doesn't want to move, and isn't going to move. Therefore, we're stuck. Unless I choose to switch to Reserves, then I'll have to move. I don't want to be RES, it's great for those who do, though! I just feel my calling is to be AD. I don't know where to go from here. He doesn't want to leave his family, which is definitely understandable, but when we got married, we agreed to be each other's number 2 (God First). In a Christian marriage, you enter into it as one flesh. You agree to leave your father, brother, sister, mother, cousin, aunt, uncle all of them behind. Well, not behind, just farther down your list of priorities. As a non-married person, you probably put your parents before your boyfriend/girlfriend, and that's fine. But, when you get married, your spouse is your everything. You are supposed to support them in all they do, no matter what. I've always supported his every decision, even before we were married. I know I'm asking a lot, but I just feel he should have given it more thought before deciding against it. So, it looks as if it's coming to an end, and I hate it. It makes me sick.
I love him more than life itself, but what do I do? Do I deny this calling I have, or stay in my small town, resenting the fact I didn't get to do what I was meant to do?
You have to be a very strong, united front, to be able to survive a military marriage. With the imminent chances of deployment (not just to Iraq or Afghanistan, but anywhere), the strenuous work, the strict rules and regulations, and the hard core values of the Air Force (primarily, Service Before Self), it's a very hard thing to cope with as a civilian. You can't really understand the need or the want to do it all.
My advice is this: be 100% sure that this is what you want. Getting to the point of swearing in, then the arrival at BMT, you have to want this more than anything. Yes, anything. My recruiter has always said this. You have to want it more than your spouse, your parents, school, work, all of it. You can't go into BMT not being 100%, or you're destined to fail. Before talking with a recruiter, you should be at least 75% sure this is what you want. After, you should be 100%, or just don't go on with the process. You won't make it. And if you're married, you have to make sure your spouse is at the same level as you, in regards to going through with it. If they're not, you'll be where I am: a crossroad. It's definitely not a fun place, and it's hard to choose. You have to do what is best for you, and follow through. You won't always have the opportunity to join, with the cuts all the branches are making, and the constant chance of getting injured, aging, etc. You have to act now. It's kinda like having kids; you're not getting any younger.
If you have any questions, suggestions, advice, anything, feel free to post. This is a very sensitive subject, and it always requires full attention. Don't go into marriage, the military, or anything half-heartedly. They're all serious commitments, and breaking that commitment has huge repercussions. Not just on you, but everyone around you. Thanks for reading!
"Sometimes bad things happen in life to open up your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before." ---- I saw this on my friends FB status just now, so I thought I'd add this in =]
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