family

Blueangel5

USAFA 2016
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2011
Messages
49
I know this may seem like a slightly ridiculous question, but I would really like some input from you all on this question. Which branch (airforce/navy) is more conducive to being a pilot and having a family. My situation is that I want to fly and get married and have a family some day, I have an appointment to AFA but am still awaiting news from USNA. If i am able to choose, i just would like some input as to which branch offers the best family environment, I ask this knowing that no matter what, having a family and being in the military will be difficult, regardless of branch. Thank you
 
I know this may seem like a slightly ridiculous question, but I would really like some input from you all on this question. Which branch (airforce/navy) is more conducive to being a pilot and having a family. My situation is that I want to fly and get married and have a family some day, I have an appointment to AFA but am still awaiting news from USNA. If i am able to choose, i just would like some input as to which branch offers the best family environment, I ask this knowing that no matter what, having a family and being in the military will be difficult, regardless of branch. Thank you

Air Force bases don't sail away from your house for 6 months at a time. Just saying....
 
There is no answer to that question because the fact is even though the AF doesn't sail away from their home, I have met many wives that weren't ready to be a military spouse. Fliers do go on 4-6 month deployments. Fliers keep odd hours, because they do night flights or IG inspections or TDY's. It is not an 8-4 job. Hurricane comes in, jets are taken to safety, family is left behind to ride out the Cat 3 storm.

There were wives that had melt downs each and everytime they moved. There were wives that didn't get their DH could not be relied on when it came to shuttling 3 kids to 3 different activities within an hr span. They would resent the AF, and it would lead to family fights.

The AF has no better chance of a family life than the Navy does, because it all comes down to the type of person you share your life with. Navy, Army or AF, it is all the same. Will she support your career, or will she place limitations on it? I.E., I won't move there, take the other assignment even if it is not as visible for promotion, or take a remote so we can stay here!

If you want to land a plane on a boat more than on an AFB, and have both options, take the boat! If she cannot support you in your dream, than you need to realize she may not be the ideal spouse.

OBTW regarding the difficulty of having a family in the military, it is no less easier or harder than in the real world, IMPO, it is easier. The military understands the moves and having babies with no family support, and they all gather around as if they were your family. The real world doesn't.

Out of 3 siblings in Bullet's family, him being the only military member, we are the only ones still married. 23 yrs of marriage and going strong. I think military families in a way are stronger, because you will move, you will be away from family, and it forces you to be closer as a couple, only the two of you know the frustrations of the military life, thus, the bond is tighter. No offense to non-military families, just saying every few yrs it is new schools, new friends, new everything, the only person that is not a stranger the first month or so is your spouse.
 
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Beyond PIMA's answer, there is no single lifestyle for a pilot in any service. Within the AF, fighter pilots have very different schedules from C-5 pilots, which are different from UH-1 pilots, etc.
 
Alright thank you all very much for your responses, they are quite helpful. I'm glad that there are placea such as this to allow discussions such as this.
 
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