I like the military, even now which may be surprising (more 'bout that in a future post). I want to stay in it.
But, what route to take?
There are quite a few options.
- Do nothing. Wait and see.
- Go Warrant Officer. Try to become a pilot (rotary-wing) for the Army. Year training. Relocate family (again). And could end up flying any kind of chopper anywhere in the army. Benefit: Officer. Flying.
- Go Commissioned. Possible, but... could end up in the Infantry or Armor. No thank you.
- Re-Enlist. I can even do this right now, though I have three more years left on my current contract. Do it now, and I'll get $8,000 tax-free right now... and commit through 2012.
- Green to Gold. Return to College, stay on Active Duty (still get paid and housing), but have to pay for tuition on my own. Strict entry requirements.
- Combine 4 & 2. Reenlist, take the money, and then go warrant. Laugh to the bank.
Thoughts?
5 comments:
A hard life long decision to make and a lovely family to consider. I pray that you think it through and make the most all round rewarding (not just monitary) for you and your lovely family. No one else can decide this "big one" for you.
Les & Colleen
Les & Colleen are right. Advantages of staying in are, of course, medical and retirement. You have a large family by today's standards, and medical costs will strip away your savings if you have a low-level civilian job. All sorts of disasters are out there to happen. On the other hand, whatever you choose, should be the type of job where you are around to share in the raising of your children, so that you can be home most evenings, help with homework, give wife relief, go on vacations together, go to school events, have a family religious life, have whole-family traditions. Children today have very little to latch on to and a great many evils to pull them away from the straight and narrow. A strong family structure is not a magic answer--because even children from such families sometimes stray; but strong family goes a long, long way in giving children the structure they so badly need as seen so pathetically by the children who end up raising themselves. Knowing that Mama and Daddy are there when they need them is something that cannot be replaced.
Can you choose "all of the above"? In a reasonable sequence, that is. If you take pilot training, are the you still able to choose the other options later?
Since you listed flying first, I'm guessing its something you really want to do.
I'm with Edward on this one. We do need good and dependable men in our military & it's a most honorable profession. The most important thing is whatever would satisfy YOU the most, that your wife would find acceptable. An unhappy husband and father is no good to a family.
Take care Reid,
Katy
Obviously, with all that is going on in your life right now, this is probably the FURTHEST thing from your mind. But I wanted to add my $0.02 here before I forget...
Dh was enlisted and then went Warrant. It's a good life. All the bennies of being an officer without the hasasles of being in command. They are technical specialists and do what they do - in dh's case, he flies. He loves it and can't imagine any other way. And for that, I love it too.
Once things settle down with your wife and her health, feel free to drop a line and pick my brain (or dh's) about going Warrant.
Know that we are praying for you all.
- hfs
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