long term Opportunities

[SonNo2of4]

I agree, probably like most things in life, it is what you make of it. Certainly during the 5 after the academy, he is young enough he can enjoy the travels. I have also heard about how much the military is a family in its own right. I guess I will miss him while he is away and love it when he is here, but he needs to make a great new world for himself. I am very excited for him, he is a great person and deserves the good things that are coming his way. It does look like he will get one appt (WP), though for now it is an assurance. I think he is ready to focus on the AFA and then choose, provided he gets the choice. I think he has decided not to go for NA. We'll see, though non-military I have always respected those who choose to serve our country and will be very proud of him.

[MemberLG]

I think there are too many factors to determine if one service is better than another service for family life. The biggest unknown is what kind of jobs he is going to get.

Before the war, in the Army, the time away from family consist mostly of CTC rotations and field training time. A CTC rotation is usually only 4 month. Many field trainings, we came home on weekends. I believe some Navy folks to 6 month cruive every 18 to 24 months or shorter. A big difference, something happens to your family, a lot easier to come home if you are at CA vs somewhere middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Depends on your personal preference, would you want to get stationed in Fort Folk, LA vs Fort Hood, TX.

If the spouse has a professional career, some locations are better than other.

I think ultimatley, one should pick a service first than adjust accordingly and ultimate make a decision to stay in or resign. I resign after 7 years in the active duty spent more time with my family

[navyasw02]

No disrespect, but isn't a little early for your son to be considering family life in service choice? There's a lot that happens between now and commissioning that will change. The Navy I joined when I went to USNA in 1998 is different from the one I was commissioned into when we found ourselves at war. The demands on the families for all services dramatically changed over the years of extended deployments and shorter at home periods for all services. The bottom line is your son will be graduating as a military officer and needs to find someone who will be compatible with the military lifestyle, regardless of which service it is.

[SonNo2of4]

Thanks, I guess I am a bit overwhelmed. There is a lot more to this than the traditional university. Just trying to understand the destinction between the academies, their commisions and ultimatley where it takes one in life. I think from here I will just try to get him exposed through visits. He will have to find out what options he has and what fits him,

[DevilDog]

Originally Posted by navyasw02

No disrespect, but isn't a little early for your son to be considering family life in service choice? There's a lot that happens between now and commissioning that will change. The Navy I joined when I went to USNA in 1998 is different from the one I was commissioned into when we found ourselves at war. The demands on the families for all services dramatically changed over the years of extended deployments and shorter at home periods for all services. The bottom line is your son will be graduating as a military officer and needs to find someone who will be compatible with the military lifestyle, regardless of which service it is.

I think that it is good foresite on his part. My son took that into consideration when he was deciding. He said that he wanted a family and did not want to be at sea for long periods of time. He liked the idea of being on a base that was stationary so he could have a family life.
He ultimately chose USAFA and I think that had some bearing on his decision.

[Pima]

+1 to DevilDog

Our DS wanted AF only. He didn't want to do sea duty. He also was an ADAF dependent where his Dad did 2 tours with the Army. He saw how the lifestyles were different. Neither is better, they are just different.

When he entered he wanted to fly, he understood if he got UPT he WOULD serve until he was at least 34. He understood if he accepted an O4 promotion or pilot bonus it would be more like 37.

He put that into his equation just like DevilDog's DS. It wasn't as if he intended to marry his hs sweetheart, he was thinking if I get my dream, I will be 37, hopefully married with kids. He entered thinking he would get his dream and how that dream would impact those he loved for maybe 15-20 yrs. Afterall, if he is locked for 14/15 yrs due to commitments/bonuses/promotions, chances are you will stay for 20 to get retirement pay.

Yes they can dive at 5, but life gets in the way. It would be best to hope you can dive, but be prepared if you can't, that means family life. That means thinking about the future. I don't disagree about choosing a mate, I am just saying it isn't wrong to think about that future life if you have no particular tie to any branch and just want to serve.

[AJM7680]

Originally Posted by Pima

He understood if he accepted an O4 promotion or pilot bonus it would be more like 37.

This might be a reason to pursue another branch of the military, no extended active duty obligation for making O-4.

[Christcorp]

Originally Posted by AJM7680

This might be a reason to pursue another branch of the military, no extended active duty obligation for making O-4.

It's not that there's an extended obligation. With any promotion; they aren't going to promote you if you are getting out of the military tomorrow. And if you're coming up on retirement years, you need to hold it for 2 years to retire as it, or your retirement is reduced back to your previous rank. I know this first hand, as does quite a few others.

Same with bonus', special duty assignments, accompanied tours, educational opportunities, etc... The military (All branches) are not going to give you a bonus or spend the money on a dream assignment or training opportunity if you are going to get out immediately and they can't recoup their investment.

[AJM7680]

Originally Posted by Christcorp

It's not that there's an extended obligation. With any promotion; they aren't going to promote you if you are getting out of the military tomorrow. And if you're coming up on retirement years, you need to hold it for 2 years to retire as it, or your retirement is reduced back to your previous rank. I know this first hand, as does quite a few others.

Same with bonus', special duty assignments, accompanied tours, educational opportunities, etc... The military (All branches) are not going to give you a bonus or spend the money on a dream assignment or training opportunity if you are going to get out immediately and they can't recoup their investment.

Correct, as you stated there are no extended active duty requirements for making O-4. As for retirement, I'm not sure where you are getting your two year requirement. For O-4s, it is six months, for O-5s, three years. I think it used to be two.

I think the only assignments/tours which cause extended duty is overseas and probably accompanied.

[Christcorp]

Originally Posted by AJM7680

Correct, as you stated there are no extended active duty requirements for making O-4. As for retirement, I'm not sure where you are getting your two year requirement. For O-4s, it is six months, for O-5s, three years. I think it used to be two.

I think the only assignments/tours which cause extended duty is overseas and probably accompanied.

Yes, the assignments overseas has the requirement. As for promotion vs retirements, that has changed a number of times. It wouldn't surprise me for a Ltc to be 3 years. "It was 2 years when I retired". Also; for O-4, that is a unique rank. Why? Because, unless you were prior enlisted, there is no way that you would have 19 1/2 years in the air force as an O-3 and the final 6 months as an O-4. So for O-4, if you are prior enlisted, the 6 months is possible. But for an OTS/Academy/ROTC grad starting day 1 as an O-1, it would be extremely rare to see a 19 1/2 year captain (O-3) putting on O-4 with 6 months left and eligible to retire.

And there is also the educational opportunities, special duty stations, and bonus' that can require an additional commitment.