I'm a new C-130 pilot (most likely slicks) considering getting married here soon.  The "future" wife is asking a lot of questions about the deployment schedule and how often I will be home.  Mostly how long I will be home every year.  And a tangent off that question.  How often to people switch airframes from the C-130 community to other planes...like the C-17 or something.  Thanx for your help.
205534
Ain't no tellin'.\n\nYou have sold your soul when you fly slicks.\n\nLotsa deployment.  Lotsa travel (mostly bad places).\n\nBe sensative and understanding towards your wife.  She gets to go along for the ride with no real status.  It's difficult for spouses and the survival rate for marriages isn't good.\n\nGood luck.
511571
I would just like to say that my husband and I are both in the Air Force, we are "kids" as you say, and many our friends and family have joined different branches of the military, there is no shortage of people going to sign up, the Air Force is trying to get rid of people! I would also like to say to whoever suggested cutting funding for the military: my husband makes $18,000 per year, and I will be making less than that (I leave for basic in January, my husband has been in for a year) and if people want to cut military funding, you are telling me that the brave people that are out there fighting for you everyday are going to get paid LESS than the crappy salary they make as it is now?!?! We struggle, all of our friends here struggle with money, this career field isn't about money, though, we do it for pride in ourselves and love of country and for a better life for our families. I don't think that the people who don't join don't love thier country, they probably all have their little reasons why they wouldn't do it. But that's ok, because if there weren't little whimps who didn't go, who would we be protecting?
601513
I am in the ARMY...been in for 2 years..this is my first deployment....ITS ME!!! I have been here for 6 months and 15 days...i have 5 months and 16 days left...and yes i do kinda live here....any more questions on what its like over here you can contact me on my messenger!!
200555
thanks for asking this question! I'm in the US Air Force, and it's awesome to see the support of all the people listed above.  we fight for you, for our families, for your families, and we want to keep this nation free for our kids, for your kids.  We're willing to die for you any day, and not many people realize that, so thanks for your support!
262775
Hi Funny,\n\nIf you check out my profile you'll see that your getting honest answers.  After Lackland he will go to Tech School and not AIT (Advance Individual Training=ARMY).  His tech school will be easier than basic training.  Yes the AF basic training is somewhat easy, but they are making it tougher and longer for the new generation of airman.  Basic is all about discipline and mental strength.  No branch of service wants their members breaking under pressure.  Gotta separate the adults from the children ya know.  As you were told by previous respondants, he may come back tougher, but I guarantee that he will come back different, wiser, and more mature.  More man like and less of a boy. \n\nHis tech school will be easier than basic, but not quite like the normal AF routine.  He's there to learn and they are gonna throw a lot at him to absorb, or they will wash him out.  Don't get upset because you don't hear from him very often.  He'll be maxed out at basic the entire time he's there except for the last two days.  Tech school is spent studying.  He will have some weekends off, so hopefully he will email and call you every so often!  Email is a great thing isn't it!  Most of us didn't have the luxury of instant communication when we went through this.  Had to use snail mail!\n\nAfter tech school he may go TDY (temporary duty) for (I forget what it's called now)?  From there he will be sent to his first duty location.  He will fill out a form (the Dreamsheet), in Basic with his choices of CONUS (Continental United States) duty locations as well as overseas duty locations.  AF members at Randolph AFB in Texas will make the final determination where he goes from there.  Air Force Needs always come first Funny!  I wanted Nebraska for my first duty location, I ended up in Germany!  At least it snowed in Germany.  After Germany I wanted Florida or Nebraska, they sent me to Texas.  And so it goes, but I never had a bad assignment during my entire career.\n\nMy nephew is in the Air Guard.  He went in at 18 years of age.  He made it, but it wasn't easy for him because he had a girlfriend.  You folks are young, and things happen in life.  People change and mature with age, well for most of us that is.  Funny, support him!  Write him everyday, even if it is just a little letter.  He needs to know that you care about him.  Those perfumed letters get us through the tough times because it tells us that we are doing this not just for ourselves but for you as well.  Even if you have doubts about the relationship after he leaves, support him just to help him get through it all. He deserves this!\n\nThe first 3 years will go by fast.  The fourth year will be tough because he'll have to decide to stay or get out.  For some it will be an easy decision, for others a tough choice.  I wish the two of you the best of luck, and welcome you to the family!\n\nOne more thing, don't listen to anyone that says he's going to Iraq!  He will be non-deployable for at least 18 months and probably longer depending on what AFSC he has selected?  You usually need to have your 5 skill level before the unit will deploy you.  Security Forces have some different policies on that as well as Transportation.  But for the general AF population, he ain't going nowhere near boom-boom land anytime soon.
449888
I had a friend that had a similar situation. Air force mechanic. He got a job in building maintenance to support his family. On his time off, he applied to city and town utility maintenace companies. Such as train, subway, private aerospace companies, bus companies, other transportation companies, etc. He is now with an international company that makes airplanes, subway train cars, and commuter trains. \nHopefully, this little note may inspire some ideas for you\nGood Luck!
347052
Being a military wife, yes, it's hard when my husband is deployed for long periods but I have gotten used to it.  I have my own job, activities and friends to bide my time with while he is away.  I knew what I was getting into when we got married and I'm sticking with it.
546784
that is hoping for to much, my man is deploying in march, and 3 other neighbors in may 2007 all in different units. this wont happen until a vote is cast on a specific date etc... however how about pray for the safety of our troops more? that is always appreciated, even by the people who dont believe in God. (sorry)
601039
i was given choices before i went to basic. i chose overseas. then i had a choice of korea germany or alaska. i went to germany. korea or alaska were 1 yr. tours. germany was 2 yrs. i extended my fts and was there 3.5 yrs.  with things the way they are now there are no gurantees. theyll send you wherever they want to.
274760
I don't know if there is an actual rule to that, but they way they make the deployment schedules, it's unlikely to go twice in a row.  In the USMC, it's been 7 months there before the new guys show up.  They stay for seven months.  It's possible that as soon as you return, you'll start training to go back as the new guys replacements.  But that is what I am trying to do, and I am having a difficult time being put on a deployment.  There are more Marines willing to go than slots available.  Many Marines have gotten to go/had to go three times in one enlistment.  I've only gotten there once.  I've got a year left though.  Hopefully I'll make it back again.
137293
I was in Ft Hood for 4 years.  We just moved to Ft Jackson last Nov.  My husband is a Drill Sgt here.  If you have any questions about Hood, feel free to message me!
215863
My broTher has been in the Air Force for 4 years this July. He is on the instant message with me giving me this information. Hope it helps you. \n1. Not much physical activities. it is mostly mental\n2. Hardest week is hell week. This is the 5th week.\n3. Just in a tent for a week. There is a gas chamber, play a few war games. This is all physical and mental\n4. The basic chow hall you only have a few minutes to eat so you can't savor the food.\n5. Keep quiet and have your boots shined good and your bed made good. If not they can undo yours and everyone elses.\n6.Volunteer for KP duty when they ask. If you volunteer for KP duty you will have longer to eat and get deserts.\n7.Go to church services on base. He loved them. Plus it gives you time away from the Ti's (training instructors)\n9.Don't volunteer for element leader or dorm chief unless you like getting yelled at for someone else's mistakes.\n10. Don't volunteer for chow runner. They report to the head table with all the Ti's and say their flight is ready to eat, if they don't do it right away-they get yelled at or their flight eats last if there is more than 1 flight waiting to eat.\n11.Try to know the chain of command(people in charge) before coming in and know all the ranks.\n\nMy brother is a Senior Airman and loves the Air Force. Hope you love it too.\n\nI forgot to add that he can't remember what the food was, but remembered it was good. Plus he ate at Burger King plus they had a place where he bought pizza quite a bit. He was at Lackland AFB in San Antonio,Texas.
70435
Retired last year and things started to go bad. She was use to me being gone either to work or on deployment and she had her time and could do things she wanted when she wanted. Once I retired, I was around alot. This changed her life too. We were able to recover our marriage when I began doing volunteer work with the American Legion and the local Boy Scout Council. This got me out of her hair a few hours a day and she sometimes goes with me on campout or to Legion events. Thankfully things are going well again.
195109
My husband is currently deployed for the 2nd time.  It's hard, I am not going to lie.  But I grew up Marine Corps and then I married right back into it.  As long as you have the strength and the love for your husband/boyfriend/fiance you will make it.  I PROMISE!  I would truly say being a Military Members spouse during deployment or any other time is the toughest job in the corps.  We girls call ourselves "Semper Gumby" Always Flexible!  Cause, in reality, we have to be flexible, hardly seeing our loved ones, holding down the fort, and I am taking care of our beautiful 18 month old little boy but everyday I see that little boy of ours smile I remember my husband is doing his job and fighting for our freedom!  I pray for EVERY Man and Woman over there fighting and am very very proud of all of them, even the wives and families at home, missing their loved ones like crazy!  I have spent our only 2 anniversary's alone but when he is home it's all worth it!  I am proud to be a Marine Wife and I am proud to have my husband serve in the armed forces with anyone's husband, father, mother, sister, brother etc.  You will make it!!!!  Be strong!!!!  SEMPER GUMBY!
482449
I would first suggest getting some books and studying for the military flight aptitude tests. I don't know about the USAF or Army, but I can tell you what I know about the USMC. The USMC is part of the Department of the Navy and both branches receive identical and combined, primary and advanced aviation training. So both flight training programs are approx. the same in duration. The Coast Guard also is combined in this training.\n\nWhen you decide to you want to become an aviator for the USMC you will sign an "air contract" with the OSO, complete the PLC or OCS program, receive your commission upon completion of college (4year degree) and then attend The Basic School. TBS is 6 months of additional training that all new Marine Officers receive. Upon completion of TBS, you will attend API an 8 week course, then move along to Primary Flight School and if you complete you will be selected for either fixed wing, rotary or the tilt-rotar platform. Next is Advanced Flight School where upon completion you receive your "wings of gold" and will be selected for a particular aircraft. Next you go to the FRS to learn to fly that specific aircraft and then finally you move to the fleet. This training can take anywhere from 16 - 30 months depending on how fast or slow they are training. There is no guarantee you will complete and become a pilot. It all depends on how much effort and studying you put in. There is also no guarantee you will fly the aircraft that you want. When my husband signed, an aviation contract was for a minimum of 6 years A/D service after receiving your wings... it may be 8 years or more now.\n\nSo, to answer your question you have an additional 6 months of training in the USMC, otherwise it's all the same aviation training for USMC, USN and USCG. What will get you to your dream of flying the quickest will be your hard work and dedication. If flying is your dream I say go for it! It's the hardest thing my husband's ever done but he loves every second of it. See which branch you will be proud to be a part of, not which one will get you in the air the quickest. Good luck!
306924
Hello Proud Army Wyfe (and rightfully so), I am in the Air force and am a small arms instructor at Sheppard AFB. I am not actually EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal), but I work around Army and Air Force EOD on a daily basis; and have been deployed with them. Also my brother is Army EOD and is in Iraq right now. I can tell you that yes it is a dangerous job, but they receive the best training this world has to offer and they get compensated for the extra hardship with pay bonuses. It is a very proud and respectable career field. Also when EOD deploy they "usually" only go for 6 months instead of 12 due to the extra stress. If he really wants to cross train into EOD and you talk him out of it, he might regret it later and he might think that you are the reason. If he goes EOD he can do it for just 1 term and then get out and go work for the FBI or some other law enforcement agency and make considerable money. I hope that what ever he or you decide that you stay by his side and keep supporting one of the most important people in this world. He is nothing without you...help him defend his country.
616414
It all has to do with your life style. We are an ARMY family.  Fort Sam was fun when it was just the two of us, Lots of music and shopping.  Fort Huachuca was great ,it is a small community with a great High School and close to shopping in Nogales, Mexico; not too many deployments and a good post hospital.  Fort Gordon, GA is 2 hours from Atlanta, lots of restaurants in town, very humid, elementary school on post is really good. Sadly Middle school is very scary and better consider private school instead. Fort Bliss too big, need lots of gas, town very crowded and shopping is expensive, the heat is incredible. Fort Polk is very lonely with an extra tiny town around, nothing to do. Fort Campbell, stay away from it and Fort Stuart those post are very high on deployments to Iraq. I've never been to Fort Carson but I heard is beautiful.  Hope I helped a bit. Remember no matter where you go, the most important thing is that you are together.