Originally Posted by
TheReelDeel33
I'm a young adult, and have been considering the military for a while. I've always known that if I joined I'd want to join as an officer, so I've been able to put off actually enlisting while I work on my degree. Now that graduation is within reach my thoughts about enlisting are getting more intense. My girlfriend, who i've been dating about 2 years, is in the same boat. Since i'm a pilot I'm interested in the air force. She was more interested in the marines. We had a pretty serious talk about enlisting and I guess we're both hesitant because we feel that the stress and distance that comes with a military career could probably end even the strongest relationships. So we're serious about each other and like the thoughts of settling down and being a family. We also like the thoughts of serving our country. Now we're wondering if it's gonna be one or the other.
I was wondering if anyone reading this has actually served in the military, and if so were you in a relationship? Did it last? And if it did last, how much was it affected/changed?
Yes - they can last.
Yes - they can fail.
Yes - both have to be very independent because you will spend A LOT of time apart possibly.
If you decide on two different services then you will have an even HARDER time.
Can it work??? Of course it can.
Could it end in divorce and 50% of your retirement? SURE COULD.
I think divorce in the military is still above the national average and the Marines might even be the highest among the services.
I have a friend who is a Navy JAG. She met her husband-to-be while in college and had a long distance relationship. He ended up being a Navy Helo pilot. They have spent MOST of their married life apart but were recently both stationed in San Diego. Sounds great except they basically got put on opposite deployment schedules (his scheduled, hers IAs). Even when he did come home the deployment schedule changed and he went back out earlier than expected. Recently she got out and joined the FBI. She is finishing up the Academy soon and got posted to Washington DC. They are hoping he can pick up a billet in Norfolk (3 hours away on a good day). If not - more time apart.
Moral of the story - - - so goes the married military life, and especially when both members are in the military. Of course the military does TRY pretty hard to station you both at the same place.
One other thiing. I have it on good authority that the Marines have pilots too (and always capitalize the 'M' in Marines
) Your GF will appreciate it!
USMCFLYR