Living on an Air Force Base?

[Arianelle]

Ok, so recently my (technically ex) boyfriend decided to sign up for the air force. Then he got the grand idea to knock me up and get married. The thing is... I have my own plans that another (third) kid would kinda complicate (getting my Master's, cosmetic surgery, joining the FBI, etc.).

Are all military wives homemakers? What kind of careers can they have in that sort of lifestyle that won't completely ruin a relationship? What's it like on the base? Will my life be put on indefinite hold because of this?

We love each other despite the complicated nature of our break up and I do want to be supportive of his decision, but I don't know if I can do all this. I just want a better idea of what this is actually like, since the FBI is very demanding by itself.

 

[Novolo]

Currently I am a single Airman Living in the dorms. From what i see about 75% of all Air force marriages the wife doesnt have to do anything she can actually sit home and just watch the kids or take care of the house, BUT the other 25% pursue there careers and have jobs and help bring in money, so its all up to you, you can still pursue your dreams while being an air force wife

 

[Arianelle]

Currently I am a single Airman Living in the dorms. From what i see about 75% of all Air force marriages the wife doesnt have to do anything she can actually sit home and just watch the kids or take care of the house, BUT the other 25% pursue there careers and have jobs and help bring in money, so its all up to you, you can still pursue your dreams while being an air force wife

Do you ever feel isolated from the "real world" with everything you'd ever need being on the base? Or get tired of seeing the same people over and over? What kinds of things do you do for fun there?

 

[Novolo]

Depends on your base :| im on a base in the middle of no where i got my computer, but i got play alot of hockey because i have nothing else to do, its all what you make of it, its REALLY not that bad i love living in the dorms random parties and just chillin with everyone after work, its fun

 

[Celvantes]

I've been in the Air Force for eight years now. Most military spouses have a career of some sorts, though usually it is something that is not tied down geographically, due to their spouse having to move often.

Joining the military yourself might be a viable option. The Joint Spouse program *usually* can get spouses at the same base, but not *always.* I suggest this because you want to join the FBI, and Air Force OSI is a *great* way to get your foot in the door. All of the three letter agencies recruit from OSI because it has a good reputation at the national level. The Air Force can also help pay for a large chunk of your education.

As far as living on base, it's not bad. Each Air Force base is like a miniature city, and 99% of the time, you can get whatever you need on base. The only bad thing about it is that living on base can be like having the Homeowner's Association from Hell because they're very strict about how well you maintain your home. That said, it can also be a good thing because your house will *always* look awesome. Furthermore, you don't have to worry about break-ins as you are behind a very secure perimeter and AF cops are far more highly motivated and dedicated than their civilian counterparts.

 

[Novolo]

.. i love you security forces :X

 

[Celvantes]

.. i love you security forces :X

Until you get a DUI =P

 

[Novolo]

well i do have to love some of them and hate 99.9% of them

 

[Tristam Green]

I can't speak for Air Force Bases as I have little experience with them, but I lived on a Navy Base for about a year and a half prior to my father's transfer to his last duty station before his retirement.

My mom worked in the NEX while we lived there, and she only had to drive about 5 minutes (if that) to get to work. It worked out nicely for her, and brought in a little more spending cash for the family.

However, I did see many of the wives of (junior) enlisted men (my father was a CPO at this time) staying at home, and really, for the most part, I saw them sitting on the front steps of their porches talking on their cordless phones with God-only-knows-who, generally complaining about living in "this shitty base", when in reality it wasn't a bad situation at all, and the units were really quite clean (at least, on the outside).

It depends on where the base is, really, its accessibility to outside resources, and to be honest, you don't get *everything* you need by living on-base; social interaction with non-military persons, for instance.

 

[Stine]

I've known a few Air Force wives but not many. Mostly seen them wait tables, sell May Kay, and/or go to school (most online) while being a mom. Most of them are stay at home mothers from what I know. I do have a very limited knowledge of this since I only had a friend who was an Air Force wife and I didn't live on the base myself.

 

[Genkaku]

(getting my Master's, joining the FBI, etc.).

Joining the military yourself might be a viable option.

The military provides you with options to get schooling, training for RL, and the ability to cut your expenses in half (as far as I know). Correct me if I am wrong but dont you need a military background to join the FBI? Or atleast it will put you above the rest of the non-military people applying.

Joining the military might be a good bet.

(Took out cosmetic surgery cuz no one needs it, just IMO)

*Cant comment on base life cuz I dun know*

 

[Arianelle]

I've known a few Air Force wives but not many. Mostly seen them wait tables, sell May Kay, and/or go to school (most online) while being a mom. Most of them are stay at home mothers from what I know. I do have a very limited knowledge of this since I only had a friend who was an Air Force wife and I didn't live on the base myself.

I don't mind if it's something like waiting tables or something. Really, I'd just like to have something to do besides child-rearing and school the entire time. I do love the fact that it is such a safe place to be, especially with children.

Joining the military yourself might be a viable option. The Joint Spouse program *usually* can get spouses at the same base, but not *always.* I suggest this because you want to join the FBI, and Air Force OSI is a *great* way to get your foot in the door. All of the three letter agencies recruit from OSI because it has a good reputation at the national level. The Air Force can also help pay for a large chunk of your education.

I actually wasn't aware of the connection between the FBI and Air Force, but that is definitely something I'd want to look into. Based on what I read on the FBI jobs site, you don't need the military experience, but obviously that would give you the edge over other applicants. I'd like to get into the Cyber Division and every little thing I can add to my resume would help.

Took out cosmetic surgery cuz no one needs it, just IMO

It's a surgery that is not "medically necessary" per my insurance, but my chiropractor says it would be a huge help and having a baby would completely reverse the surgery.

Thanks for everyone's feedback!

 

[Celvantes]

I actually wasn't aware of the connection between the FBI and Air Force, but that is definitely something I'd want to look into. Based on what I read on the FBI jobs site, you don't need the military experience, but obviously that would give you the edge over other applicants. I'd like to get into the Cyber Division and every little thing I can add to my resume would help.

Not to be a recruiting propaganda distribu... I mean... recruiter, but the Air Force really is the place to be when it comes to cyber security. They've either already set up a cyber command or are in the process of doing so. I haven't kept abreast on the details but you could bug Gregedor for more info. That was his field of study back at the Academy.

Having a kid isn't going to make your life easy in terms of getting all the required schoolwork out of the way, but it is doable. The Air Force is a great support structure when it comes to family care and getting an education. So long as you're willing to work, they'll help you out the rest of the way.

 

[Novolo]

Can officers be Recruiters...

 

[Arianelle]

Having a kid isn't going to make your life easy in terms of getting all the required schoolwork out of the way, but it is doable. The Air Force is a great support structure when it comes to family care and getting an education. So long as you're willing to work, they'll help you out the rest of the way.

Well how much school work is required? Soon, I'll be finished with a Bachelor's Degree in a related field. Would they require much beyond that? Not really worried about the workload so much since I'm a full-time student and work full-time with kids currently, just worried about my degree being useless, time wasted, etc.

 

[Celvantes]

No, Novolo, officers can't be recruiters... we have to tell the truth. :biggrin:

Well how much school work is required? Soon, I'll be finished with a Bachelor's Degree in a related field. Would they require much beyond that? Not really worried about the workload so much since I'm a full-time student and work full-time with kids currently, just worried about my degree being useless, time wasted, etc.

If you have a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice or something like that, then it shouldn't be too much more. OSI agents have to go through the equivalent of a police detective's school in addition to any counterintel training if they're specializing in that.

Probably your best bet would be to begin with the end in mind. Try to get a hold of an FBI personnel guy and ask what they're looking for. Then, you could create a plan specifically for achieving your goal (with minimal wasted time in the process).

 

[Novolo]

No, Novolo, officers can't be recruiters... we have to tell the truth. :biggrin:

Hmm once you hit Lt Col though you can be the Commander of a Recruiting squadron.. *twiddles handlebar mustache* lol