Family and being in the Army.

akscott60 · April 29, 2016

You have but one life to live.

That being said, as Buzzkill said, there is sacrifice. The Army WILL strain your wife/kids/SO. Some relationships will fail. You will owe right at 8 years at a minimum if you raise your right hand.

As for Parents supporting you? Well, I am third generation military pilot. There was zero surprise as to my wishes in life, albeit starting the adventure at 29...

steve0 · April 29, 2016

Yo, at least you're missing Victory Week this year...

I don't understand why you need a special week to celebrate victory when America already celebrates 365 days of victory

Dmurray · April 29, 2016

I don't understand why you need a special week to celebrate victory when America already celebrates 365 days of victory

This. So many freedom.

Luofynerd · April 29, 2016

I don't understand why you need a special week to celebrate victory when America already celebrates 365 days of victory

Victory of the big red one not Americas victory.

stratose · May 11, 2016

The Army is great and has benefitted my wife and I greatly, but at the cost of separating us from our extended family. It's not easy to have to rely on phone calls when someone is in the hospital or to be on the other side of the country when there is a death in the family. Or to see great memories being made with your face absent in all the pictures. You're looking at almost a decade of commitment to the Army and if you're close to your family like I am, it takes its toll. I'm ready to hang my hat up and work my way home so that I can be with the ones I love and savor the short time on earth we are given with each other.
The Army is great but it's definitely a sacrifice.

I hear what you're saying. It's a tremendous sacrifice being moved around and away from family. But it seems so many want to go active instead of reserve? Wouldn't the reserve offer the ability to serve in a career field of choice while still being close to family most of the time? Or does the weekend a month still take a toll, especially when you're constantly flipping the switch between civilian job and weekend duty? I'm not trying to sound ignorant or naive, but asking as a question.

dkeate · May 11, 2016

I hear what you're saying. It's a tremendous sacrifice being moved around and away from family. But it seems so many want to go active instead of reserve? Wouldn't the reserve offer the ability to serve in a career field of choice while still being close to family most of the time? Or does the weekend a month still take a toll, especially when you're constantly flipping the switch between civilian job and weekend duty? I'm not trying to sound ignorant or naive, but asking as a question.

Reservists deploy and are expected to operate at the same level as their active counterparts. One weekend a month is an outright lie, I've heard. The Army will creep in and take up more than one weekend of your time, especially as you are promoted. The effect on your family (excluding deployment) will be minimal; however, the effect is pronounced on your civilian career. Employers would rather hire someone that doesn't randomly and on short notice disappear.

From several reservists and guardsmen, I've heard that the key to a successful career in the Reserves is to earn an Active Guard/Reserve slot and ride it out for 30 years. All the benefits of active duty while not uprooting your family every 2-4 years.

Again, this is coming from someone who has only ever been Active.

Dmurray · May 12, 2016

Dkeate is pretty accurate. As your career progresses, the green weenie seems to grab more and more of your time. Granted, you do get paid. However, it can be difficult to keep up with the needs of the Army and maintain a steady civilian career.

If your employer is not supportive and understanding, you could run in to problems. Those types of problems have a direct effect on soldiers' careers.

I have seen good soldiers become disgruntled and eventually throw away their military careers because of those problems. The stress can be too much for some people.

All that being said, I have enjoyed my time in the reserves. With proper planning it can be very rewarding. I've had the opportunity to do some great things while maintaining a good home life.

Realistically, you get what you put into it. It's all about your attitude in the end.

twil · May 12, 2016

This question is on the topic of moving every 2-4years on active duty. I have a good friend in the 75th and he told me that it is possible for him to stay with the batt that he is in for his entire career.

Is this the same with WO in aviation? How often would one change bases in the AD aviation side of, as Dmurray puts it, the green weenie?

Anyone with personal experience on this? Thank you all.

StockTrader · May 12, 2016

This question is on the topic of moving every 2-4years on active duty. I have a good friend in the 75th and he told me that it is possible for him to stay with the batt that he is in for his entire career.

Is this the same with WO in aviation? How often would one change bases in the AD aviation side of, as Dmurray puts it, the green weenie?

Anyone with personal experience on this? Thank you all.

From what I've been told, the only similar circumstance is by getting into the 160th. You can fly with them and be stationed at one post for pretty much the duration of your career(if you choose to stay in of course). Other than that, plan on moving every few years.

Sapper · May 12, 2016

From what I've been told, the only similar circumstance is by getting into the 160th. You can fly with them and be stationed at one post for pretty much the duration of your career(if you choose to stay in of course). Other than that, plan on moving every few years.

I know guys that have been with the same aviation unit (101st) for over 10 years on active duty although at some point, there eventually is a move

153orbust · May 12, 2016

I know guys that have been with the same aviation unit (101st) for over 10 years on active duty although at some point, there eventually is a move,

I'm not pretending to know all the answers, but usually the only way to stay static for long periods of time is to be in a unit such as the 160th or 75th, or if you are an NCO in one of the major FORSCOM units that tend to groom their own, so to speak (Think 82nd, 101st or even 3ID).... Officers tend to be mobile based on professional career milestones, and after reading the WO 2025 which lays out the supposed future of the Warrant Officer corps, it looks as though Warrants will be assigned based on that model, meaning 2-4 years assignment at CABs (1-3 years at TDA units, with the shorter time frame being non-flying assignments for obvious reasons)... Hope this answers some questions.... Bottom line: be prepared to move every 2-4 years (on average)

SBuzzkill · May 19, 2016

My unit had a lot of people sticking around much longer than the traditional timeframe, and in my opinion it hurts the unit. Without the turnover you get a lot of "inbreeding." 5 years is about the longest I would want to be in one unit (career wise).

akscott60 · May 19, 2016

I find PCSing every few years to be a great way to refresh and keep things interesting.

Yamer · May 19, 2016

I find PCSing every few years to be a great way to refresh and keep things interesting.

I was just thinking today how it forces you to clean the nooks and crannies of your furniture every year lol

Edited May 19, 2016 by Yamer

Luofynerd · May 19, 2016

Bro I thought my iPad got stolen and went without it for like 3 months. One day I was on my phone sitting on my couch (has non-removable cushions) and I dropped my phone and it slid perfectly into this slit that I didn't even know was there. Upon further inspection I found my iPad, like 350 quarters, and a pack of stale cigarettes. I'm sure I was super pissed when I lost those cigarettes lol.