Well it looks like were Army bound... - : O

TeagansMom609 wrote: Well as you all know, we have been having problems with our marraige lately. Well the other day I come home from lunch and Shawn had 2 Army recruiters here talking to him. (he called them) I must say I was a bit suprised. Well after some talking he told me he wants to do it, and wants me to come with him. He said he really wants us to work things out and the Army is a good option for him to get his sh*t together too. They told him he would have to go into training for a month, then after that we would get stationed where ever we pick in the US. They said they pay for your apartment if you dont want to live on base, they give you an allotment for food every month, and pay all of your utilities. So all of your money you earn which was $14 something an hour, you get to do what ever with since your not using it on bills. Well that all sounds good to me, but im a little nervous about it. Does anyone know anything about the Army?

Boys r us replied: wow! That threw ME for a loop, I bet it really took you back!
Well, as scary as it may seem to send a loved one into any military branch right now, I think HE feels like that is what he needs to do to get his life straight..I give him a lot of credit for that!
If you love him(and I know you do ) then stick with him while he tries to get himself together so he can be the best man he can be for you hun!

MommyToAshley replied: Wow! Is this something that he has mentioned before?

While it is his career, this is something that will affect your entire family if you decide to stay with him. If you are working things out, then I think this needs to be a decision you make together. I grew up as an Army brat, and it involved a lot of moving. When I was young, I didn't mind at all and I got to see a lot of the world, but when I became a teenager, moving every two years wasn't fun. My Dad was gone a lot, from 5am in the morning to late evening. He was gone for weeks at a time "in the field". On the other hand, there are a lot of good things and perks about being in the Army, my parents loved it for 20+ years. You also have to consider that there is a good chance that he will get sent to Iraq shortly after training. And, you have to be careful about listening to the recruiters, it is their job to convince people how wonderful it would be to join the Army.

Like I said, the Army can be a good thing, depending on your own situation. But, it is a big decision and one you need to make together.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

amynicole21 replied: WOW! That is a major commitment I guess it will force him to get his life back in order though. Good for him. I guess it would have been nice if he consulted you about it first ... but I think it could be a great option for you. There are several military wives on the board who can give you the low down I'm sure

jcc64 replied: I would listen carefully to what M2A had to say.
I think it's very encouraging that your dh is making an effort to get his s@#t together, and it does seem that the Army is a good place to do that. But be mindful of what Dee Dee said- the recruiter will promise you the moon to get you to enlist, and then once you sign on the dotted line, you belong to them. If your dh is comfortable with that, and you with the very real eventuality that he will end up in Iraq or Afghanistan at some point, then go for it.
But go in with your eyes open, wide open.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I just want to offer some support and encouragement. I think it will be a great thing for him. What I got out of your post was that he wanted you to join the Army as well, not just move with him...however, that may not be the case. I also want to reiterate what Jeanne and DeeDee said about the things the recruiters will promise you. It sounds wonderful, but a lot of times they do not live up to their word b/c really they never had the power in the first place to offer all of these things. They just want a signature. Keep us updated!

My2Beauties replied: While I think that he has your family's best interest at heart, he needs to really check into this before committing to something like this. I, personally, do not think i would enjoy the life of a military wife or be an army brat! You do move a lot and there is the possibility that your husband may end up over in Iraq because it doesn't look as this was is ending anytime soon. Those army recruiters are like car salesman and they are fast talkers,please hon, have him think this over and over and over!

smullin replied: I saw a post before where you were talking about your issues with your husband. I think the army will make him get in to shape. I sometimes wish that brother would go off to the army because he acts the same way towards his wife and your husband does. He is a drinker also and I know plenty of friends who have shaped up going to the army and everything worked out great for them. I hope the same goes with you.

Sarah

A&A'smommy replied: It is actually true what he said (even though M2A is right) but my dad was in the military and most of their utilities were paid for (including cable). It might actually be a good idea and could possibly save your marriage! Good luck hun I hope this turns out good for ya'll!

amynicole21 replied:
My DH developed his drinking problem in the Air Force. He also slept around and did crazy things. Of course, he was only 18 or 19 at the time, so it was well before I met him, but I want you to understand that it's not all discipline and order.

favre4fan replied: I am an air force brat and my ex hubby was in the army. Personally as a dependent in the air force we were treated way better than when i was a dependent in the army. I got no support at all from the army when my x was away in saudi for desert storm. Its a different way of life. if your hubby thinks this is really what he wants and he commits to it , it may be a good thing. A lot of moving around if thats something you want to do. I hope this helps.

smullin replied: I know all the branches of the military are different. My friend who went in was drinking constantly. He was known for his drinking and he was doing drugs. When he came back he was a total different person. It had alot to do with the maturity of someone. I would assume someone with a kid would hopefully have some maturity deep down inside. It does shape people up. I don't know anyone in the air force. All my friends went to the army.

Sarah

alice&arik replied: I was in the Army, well the Guards. And it is true that the recruiters will tell you anything and do anything to get you in. I really liked it. Before I went in I was drinking all the time and just kind of wild. This is 19 years old just graduating high school. But my brother is in it and loves it. He is in the Guards also. He has thought about the full time thing but I don't know what is holdin him back. He has gone to Norway once already and is going back soon. He hasn't gone to the war areas, and doesn't want to.

The bad thing about the Army that I didn't like...they gave me too small of boots when I got there and wouldn't let me get new ones, they kept promising me every week to take me to get new ones. But during the 5th week of training it broke. And then my drill seargent wouldn't let me go to the hospital, he thought rifle qualification was more important. I had to walk on it broke for almost 2 weeks. By then the swelling was gone and perfect for a cast. One of the other drill seargents had seen my foot and said it was broke but couldn't override the other's authority. After I had the cast off I started running again and broke, well cracked both of my heals. Stress fractures they call them. That was 4 years ago and they still bother me, i tried for a settlement and they said because of my lifestyle and my job on my feet that it was bound to happen and not there fault. I spent 8 months in training before I was recalled home. Then i got pregnant and since they couldn't ship me to training they discharged me. They said it was voluntary but i didn't really have a choice. I was in a total of almost 2 years and never got that lovely sign-on bonus that is so tempting and that the recruiters butter you up with.

Sorry this got so long. but they army did change my life completely and I have a whole lot more respect for people. And a lot of integrity, I can't every lie, and if I see something wrong at work, i have to report it or i get that guilty feeling.

Good Luck in your decision.

LovingmyBoriqua replied: I WOULDNT TRUST THAT STATEMENT ABOUT GETTING STATIONED WHERE EVER YOU WANT.. MY HUSBAND OPTIONS WAS WHEN HE JOINED WAS HAWAII, GERMANY, AND GA HECK HE WAS STATIONED AT FT HOOD IT CAN BE POSSIBLE TO GET STATIONED WHERE HE PICKS BUT SLIGHTLY LIKELY... I CAN SEE THIS ABOUT THE ARMY IF YOUR HUSBAND IS IN THE ARMY AND DECIDED TO GO ARNG ( ARMY NATIONAL GUARD AND GOES BACK AD ARMY) HE WONT BE ABLE TO CHANGE MOS AND HE WILL SCREW HIS ENTIRE CAREER AS A SOLDIER SO IF HE DECIDED TO STAY IN THE ARMY MAKE SURE HE DOESNT SWITCH BRANCHES IF HE WANTS TO SWITCH JOBS. BECAUSE RIGHT NOW MY HUSBAND IS CONSIDER AS MID CAREER SOLDIER AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE MOS WHICH IS THE REASON OF ETSING. BUT HEY YOU MAY LIKE BEING A MILITARY WIFE YOUR NOT ALONE IN THE MILITARY WIFE SITUATION I WAS A MILITARY WIFE, DAUGHTER, NEICE, COUSIN AND ITS NOT THE EASIEST JOB AS LONG YOU HOLD YOUR ROLE AS MILITARY WIFE AND DONT LET PEOPLE GET YOU DOWN YOU WILL SURVIVE DEPLOYMENTS, NTCS, FIELD DUTIES & MILITARY SCHOOLING. I BEEN AN ARMY GF & WIFE FOR 4 YRS I BEEN MARRIED FOR 2 AND DATED HUBBY 2 WHICH MAKES 4 YRS... DEPLOYMENTS ARE HARD BUT WHEREVER IS DUTY STATION THEIR IS A DEPLOYED SPOUSES MEETING AND SO FAR THEY ARE THE ONES WHO HELP ME SURVIVED MY DEPLOYMENT. BUT THE ONE THING ABOUT THE ARMY IS RUMOR SPREADS IF YOUR HUBBY AND YOU ARE HAVING MARTIAL PROBLEMS DONT ADVERTISE YOUR MARTIAL ISSUES WITH HIS CHAIN OF COMMAND UNLESS YOUR IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIP

LovingmyBoriqua replied: ALSO IF YOUR PLAN ON BECOMING AN ARMY WIFE LEARN ABOUT THE ARMY CODES LIKE TAKE THE AFTB CLASS WHICH HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND THE MILITARY LIFE. ALSO YOU NEED LEARN TO READ AN LES. AND LAST AND LEAST YOU NEED POWER OF ATTORNEYS AND HOW THEY WORK. BECAUSE IF YOUR SPOUSE DEPLOYS YOUR POA IS YOUR LIFE SAVER SAME AS YOUR MID CARD. IF YOU NEED ANY HELP BECOMING AN ARMY WIFE AND I CAN GIVE YOU SOME POINTERS MY DAD WAS IN TEH ARMY FOR 26 YRS AND MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN IN THE ARMY 5 1/2 YRS

LovingmyBoriqua replied:
NOT NECCESSARY BECAUSE MY HUSBAND HAS ALOT OF MARRIED SOLDIER WHO THINK THEY ARE SINGLE SOLDIER LIKE THE SAYING GOES A SINGLE SOLDIER WILL GET A MARRIED SOLDIER IN TROUBLE... JUST BEING A MILITARY PERIOD CHANGING ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR IN IRAQ.. OF COURSE YOU WILL CHANGE IMAGINE BEING BEST BUDS WITH ONE OF YOUR SOLDIERS AND SEEING HIS HEAD BLOWN OFF AND KILLED IN IRAQ AND SEEING ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS ENTIRE BODY BLOW UP.. I MEAN I THINK THAT WOULD CHANGE ME COMPLETELY IRAQ CHANGES PEOPLE I CAN SAY WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS HOME FOR R&R HIS ENTIRE ATTITUDE, HIS SLEEPING ARRANGMENTS, CHANGED COMPLETELY SOME DAYS MY HUSBAND WOKE UP IN NIGHT SWEATS BECAUSE WHEN THEY WERE SHOOTING IN THE FIELD MY HUSBAND WAS THINK SOMEONE WAS SHOOTING AT HIM ITS SCAREY... BUT I DO HAVE TO SAY IF YOUR FRIEND HAD A DRINKING PROBLEM DID THE AF EVEN TRY TO HELP HIM?? BECAUSE I HEARD THE AF WAS THE BEST BRANCH MY FRIEND FROM HS WAS IN THE AF BUT I KNOW THEY TAKEN CARE OF THE SOLDIERS BETTER THAN THE ARMY BECAUSE IF YOUR HAVING ENLISTMENT PROBLEMS PAY PROBLEMS I KNOW THE AF TAKEN CARE OF THE SAME DAY WITH THE ARMY THEY CAN CARELESS BECAUSE MY HUSBAND WAS AN E4 AT THE TIME AND HE NEED AN E6 TO ESCORTED HIM TO FINANCIAL OFFICER TO HELP HIS PAY TO GET STRAIGHT HIS E6 SAID SHE DIDNT FEEL LIKE IT NOT TO MENTITION WE HAD A CHILD WHO WAS ONLY 11 MONTHS AT THE TIME.