[LisanAndy]

Last night Andy brought up the subject of going into the Air Force guard where you go once a month. My dad was in the Air Force, and my brother has been in now for 14 years. My whole family loves the idea... the honor, the extra income, the VA housing benefits, ect. My ENTIRE world would be flipped upside down. My girls wouldn't have their daddy for several months during basic training and text school. I live here with my parents above their house like I said and my mom isn't always the easier to live with and I can't imagine doing it on my own with no one to talk to until he gets back. At the same time, I would never want him to not do something he wanted or that he feels he's led to do for the betterment of our family. I'm heartbroken but happy at the same time. No decisions have been made yet but I'm scared. Girls... I need reassurance, some moms that are going through it/have been through it.. I need your thoughs, and some opinions. Thanks ladies

[Oriyan]

He can still get called to serve overseas for a year+ We are a country at war so anyone can get called to go. Reserves or active or nonactive.

The benefits are good. The money is good.

I know we have some active military wives around here.....

[bittersweet]

Well...I'm active Army, so I don't have any experience with AF, but the braches are all pretty similar.

If it were my DH, I would not want him to join. Especially enlisting in the gaurd. I'm assuming he would go in enlisted, but even if he were to go in an officer I'd still advise against it unless he was making a career out of it.The money is nothing great, maybe an extra couple a month or so for drills. Plus whatever he would make for summer training.

There are a lot of better ways to bring in an extra couple hundred a month IMO. Plus being gaurd, you wont get a lot of the benefits active military gets like health care. You can buy certain Tricare plans if you are guard/reserve...but whatever you have through your current jobs is probably better. And the VA home loans aren't always the best option either. Yes you don't have to have a down payment, however, there are hefty 'VA fees' they will tack on your loan. We won't be using it when we buy a house. You are much better off just saving a 20% down payment and using a traditional loan.

And then there are the deployments which I'm sure you are aware of. It just seems like a lot of hardship for your family for the little you will get in return. Unless it is something he really wants to do, regardless of money/benefits. I don't think it is worth it.

Sorry to be a debby downer, but I wanted you to hear the other side too.

[sara~b]

I agree with Bittersweet. I was Marine Corp active duty and basic training was so mentally draining and just emotionally brutal that I would never recommend it to anyone. Then there's MOS training (not sure what it is called for AF) and I was going to have to go to California for TWO YEARS of training to do my job. After that I would still owe THREE YEARS of service. I probably wouldn't have been deployed or ever seen a combat zone because I was Counter Intelligence/Linguistics but I didn't want a desk job either. Plus half the 'stuff' I was promised for enlisting never came through. I was supposed to go in as an E-2 because of my college credits and they took that away the day I was supposed to leave for bootcamp. I was supposed to graduate an E-3 but they took that away on day 70-something of training. I was supposed to get a $10k+ signing bonus but they took that away too. It was all just BS to get me to sign up. I totally support our troops but I in no way support the way the government treats them. I ended up getting tossed out for a stress fracture. And even though an inury during bootcamp training is supposed to be considered a war-time injury and meet the requirements for veterans benefits, I didn't get any benefits and I don't even get my college paid for. It was a waste of a year of my life and I wish I had never done it for the most part.

Sorry honey. I hope he does his research well and doesn't just listen to a recruiter.

[greeneyes]

I think pretty much everyone here knows I'm VERY pro-military, especially in terms of the benefits received. That being said, to go into the ANG or the Reserves at such a low rank AND being enlisted, you're pretty much only going to be doing it for the pride of serving your country. Pay will be quite minimal and the time away from home for basic and tech school can have a huge impact - not just on family but also on Andy's current job as well.

Even active duty would be tough with a wife and two kids. You have to understand that the pay scale and structure at the E-1 through E-3 level is really built for single, childless individuals who are living on base and therefor have zero financial responsibilities. I don't know what the deployment schedule is like for Guard, but AD and Reserve AF are typically on a four month deployment with some AFSCs (Air Force Specialty Code which is essentially your job) deploying up to six months if they are direct Army support or embedded with the Army.

And on a final note, I've been enlisted Air Force and my husband is currently an Air Force officer. There is a HUGE difference between the two worlds and I would encourage anyone who is seriously considering joining the military to do everything they can to do so as an officer. Just food for thought.

[*JenJen*]

I agree with everything Kate said. DH is Army, not Air Force, and while deployments are incredibly hard(and longer in the Army than in the Air Force), seeing the pride my husband has in his job and in serving the country makes it worth it, especially knowing that in only a few more years he can retire from the military and we can settle down somewhere and have some extra security. It's not an easy life, but its worth it to us.

[ANGWife]

We are a National Guard family. DH enjoys what he does and the benefits can be wonderful. I'm extremely proud of him.

Though we didn't have a baby when he started his training. Unfortunately, DS and I are left alone all the time when DH is away at his civilian job.Months as a single parent is difficult but it's a sacrifice that many family make. That's why it's a major decision that both you and DH should make together. The only advice I can give is just be completely honest with him about where you stand. You do NOT want to harbor resentment on top of training/deployments.

Originally Posted by Oriyan

He can still get called to serve overseas for a year+ We are a country at war so anyone can get called to go. Reserves or active or nonactive.
.

Please remember this!

[Oriyan]

When DH was active with the Army Reserves.. he had 2-3 days per month (weekend.. sometimes they were overnight weekends when he had to go to Fort Dix in Jersey) -- and then in the summer he was gone for about 16 days at once for his AT (Advanced Training). He got about 800 a month, and then the army paid 20k towards his schooling. He never used the VA because when he did he hated it and their system. He only uses the VA now to get his special orthotics for his feet because our insurance doesn't cover them.

We also don't like the way a lot was handle -- which you will run into with any military or paramilitary organization. DH doesnt know half the stuff he was vaccinated against. They "wrote it down" but what is really freaky to us is that he NEVER had the chicken pox, but his immunity tests as if he was vaccinated -- which the army had no record of him being vaccinated against.... soooooooooo yeah.

[greeneyes]

Also, just wanted to add that for us, Lee going into the military had a huge impact on the size of our family. We had previously considered having three children but once we made the decision to go Air Force, I told Lee I was not wanting to be a single mom to three children and so we've stopped at two. Again, this was just a choice that we made but may be something for you to think about.

[IamMom]

My hubby was enlisted in the navy so I don't know all the specifics of difference between active duty and guard etc.....maybe there isn't much difference however, Erin said insurance may not be a benefit and I found that to be huge in making the military worth it. DH got out about a year after we had Harrison and it wasn't soon enough...he was taken off the sub when Harrison was about six months (due to his RA) so he never went out to see while we had a child. I'm soooo glad I never had to do a deployment with kids cause I got thru his six month deployment when it was just me and him with wine HE HE HE. DH does now get VA paid benefits and free medications for his RA which was diagnosed while he was in and he pretty much finished college on the navy's dime too...and could go on to get a masters on their dime if he wanted...again I don't know if guard would offer these same educational benefits or if Andy would even want/need them. I would sa that it would really have to be worth the money and benefits to give up all that time with him.

[Adriana's Mommy]

Originally Posted by bittersweet

And the VA home loans aren't always the best option either. Yes you don't have to have a down payment, however, there are hefty 'VA fees' they will tack on your loan. We won't be using it when we buy a house. You are much better off just saving a 20% down payment and using a traditional loan.



Sorry to be a debby downer, but I wanted you to hear the other side too.

I agree with what you said, minus the home loan.. lol We just purchased our home using my VA benafits and we didn't have any extra fees.. Granted our home is brand new.. It's a little different when you purchase a older home.. And they are VARY PICKY.. Down to paint being on the window sill.. lol

You'll also find not that many doctors accept Tri-care, you'll need a primary insurance.. The reason why is the gov't isn't paying the doctors, hence why they don't accept Tri-care.. My dad is retired Navy (CWO2) and he has to use his primary insurance for him, my mom, and my younger sisters to get seen.. He uses Tri-care as a secondary insurance.. And I found out when retires turn 65, they loose tricare and go on Medicare.. Messed up huh? Gotta love gov't runned health care...

Oh, I was in the Navy for 9 1/2 years and I worked in the medical field.. And to be honest with you.. I don't trust military / VA doctors.. lol

[Adriana's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Oriyan

He can still get called to serve overseas for a year+ We are a country at war so anyone can get called to go. Reserves or active or nonactive.

....

Yes.. This is so true.. And watch out for the contracts.. I'm not to sure how Reserves are.. But when I joined it was 5 years active 4 years reserved.. When I was in, some of my co-workers weren't aware of that.. If I didn't do 9 years, I would have been called up since I'm a Fleet Marine Hospital Corpsman.. It would have killed me to leave my babies..

[LisanAndy]

Thanks for all the input ladies. If he went in it would be full time Air Force and we would get stationed somewhere, no coming back to his old job. We've decided that now. The health benefits would be better than what we have... we have none LoL. What he was thinking was that even if he hated it he's in for a total of 6 years, not much more than a college, and then he has training to get a better paying job with possible insurance by the time he's done. He's always wanted to join the Air Force and is really thinking about it now. This is going to take A LOT of prayer and thought because this will flip our family's world upside down!

Kate- Thank you for all you've said! I too said that if we went through with this that I would be content with 2 kids for now. My girls would have to be decently older and more understanding before I ever considered having more due to deployment

[sara~b]

Lisa, I just want to point out one more thing. He won't get to pick his military job and training. So if he does badly on the ASVAB then he'll probably just be a grunt. That means that he won't have many more job prospects when he gets out than when he went in. I would have him take the ASVAB and see how he does and what job they want to assign him before he decides anything. Being a janitor or a cook or something sucky won't help him at all, especially if he's stuck doing it for the next 6 years! And I definitely don't want to see him on the front lines. Get him a study set for the ASVAB and if he does well (at least over 75 or so) then it could be worth it.

[*JenJen*]

yes, defintiely study for the ASVAB and all that in advance, it can make a big difference as to what his job options will be

[LisanAndy]

Thanks for that info girls! He's been an auto tech for 5 years so if the AF didn't work out he could continue his career and look for a different dealership to work for I suppose. We get NO health insurance and even if we did, we can't afford it.. honestly, ever. As he gets raises, which he will (1-2 dollars a year) the girls insurance through the state WILL be dropped and even they won't be covered. The cost of living in this area is outrageous and with a car we got stuck with thank to his parents, we can't afford to live ANYWHERE but my parents house for the next 3 years. So, we'd be going in at least gaining health insurance and a freakin house. You know how bad it sucks to not even be able to provide for your family all because of one bad decision you inlaws made and it gets dumped on you It's been a tough 3 years of marriage and living withhere can be very challenging, to the point where I get beyond depressed, and the idea of living here with no end in sight scares me

[*JenJen*]

paychecks will suck when you are just starting out in the military, but you will at least get tricare coverage and housing allowance, which can make a big difference.

[LisanAndy]

Thanks for that info girls! He's been an auto tech for 5 years so if the AF didn't work out he could continue his career and look for a different dealership to work for I suppose. We get NO health insurance and even if we did, we can't afford it.. honestly, ever. As he gets raises, which he will (1-2 dollars a year) the girls insurance through the state WILL be dropped and even they won't be covered. The cost of living in this area is outrageous and with a car we got stuck with thank to his parents, we can't afford to live ANYWHERE but my parents house for the next 3 years. So, we'd be going in at least gaining health insurance and a freakin house. You know how bad it sucks to not even be able to provide for your family all because of one bad decision you inlaws made and it gets dumped on you It's been a tough 3 years of marriage and living here can be very challenging, to the point where I get beyond depressed, and the idea of living here with no end in sight scares me

[sara~b]

Lisa, I thought you guys were getting rid of the car in the next few months? You'll have to talk to a recruiter to find out the specifics but I know I had to pay my car off before I could go to bootcamp because I wouldn't make enough to cover the payments. Seriously, the first year or two of military life is brutal pay-wise. I came out and owed the military money! It's rediculous!

[LisanAndy]

We were told we couldn't get rid of the car because we still owe 15k on it and they would only give us 7. We couldn't come up with it until sometime next year unless we charged ot and we STILL couldn't live anywhere because of the debt we'd be in. This has been absolutely insane for us, seriously. Every time we think we'll get ahead we get knocked back. Initially it would be us living here for a year and now it's gone to 3 or 4 years. The web site says we'd make 1400-1600 a month but with income tax, we could at least pay the car 1 year in advance and since they pay for housing and insurance, we would only have car insurance, cell phone, and groceries to pay. We haven't even talked to a recruiter yet, we're still in the real early stages of discussing it but I know Andy's interested. I have several friends in the AF and they all say it's wonderful but I just wanted to hear different stories just like yours Sara, thank you