What should spouses know about military life prior to enlistment?

My husband is considering joining the Air Force. There are a lot of advantages, especially since we are a young couple. You can find a lot of sites and information regarding all the positive things that the military has to offer. Other than the obvious negatives, such as possible deployment and instability, what are some things to really consider before joining the service that no one typically warns you about? What things are important for a spouse to know regarding the military?|||First thing to know: The job (mission) comes first. You and everything else come second. He is enlisting with the understanding that he can be deployed anywhere on the planet earth anytime they want him to go. No ifs ands or buts.





"But I'm pregnant..." Deployed


"But he just got back from Iraq..." Deployed


"But he's getting out next year..." Deployed


"But he's about to finish college..." Deployed





Your house on base will be tiny. If you move off base your commute will be insane. His supervisor might be 100% moron, 100% insensitive, 100% azzhole, it doesn't matter. He's the boss. The USAF is the most relaxed branch, but it's still the US Military. If they need him refueling planes (or calibrating instruments, or reviewing medical records, etc) all day and all night on your anniversary that's what he's going to do. Even if his boss has been promising him for months that he'll get him the day off. Things change at the last minute and everyone has to adapt.





Everything has a lot of paperwork. I sometimes think the extra paperwork was created to validate creating a bunch of civilian jobs (more jobs means more congressmen get reelected). SO be ready for the wheels to move slowly.





As a spouse make sure you understand what all the different offices and departments are. Tri-Care, DEERS, CDC. Make sure you have power of attorney for when he's deployed.|||being alone alot


codependency issues


alot of wives cant function on their own


isolation and no friends at first


moving alot





you need to have a life of your own that doesnt include your spouse hobbies and friends








good luck


avoid charleston air base


charleston sucks|||As a spouse, you will always come second to the job. It's not a choice. Family celebrations, holidays, special occasions, all take a back seat to the military. Your husband won't get to choose to stay home or take a day off if the AF needs him. You will need to be really independent and capable of relying on yourself.|||You need to be aware that you will periodically have to go where they tell you. If the military person gets orders to %26lt;insert base name here%26gt; then you and your family are moving there too (almost always). There are some social obligations as well that the spouse will be expected to attend.





A lot of the extras really depend on the nature of the military member's career.