Married & a mother thinking about joining the Navy

[KristyPedy]

Where to begin... I have some questions about being married, being a mommy, and thinking about joining the Navy. I am so afraid to be separated from my husband and 1 year old son, but at the same time I want to do something with my life (aka joining the Navy).

 

Does anyone know what it's like to be in this situation on here? Anyone have any stories to share, etc? My husband is currently employed but does not get that many hours; I am the one bringing home most of the "bacon" and am afraid to just go off and sign a contract right now because he isn't bringing in a whole lot of money for bills. 

 

What about BAH and housing?

[Angie]

If you go in over weight but make tape, and you have a tendence to gain weight....guess what if you end up over weight while in the USN....there will be come to a point where the Navy tells you that you cant' stay in standars and will send you home.

[Nukette]

Kristy, the 4 years vs 6 depends on what rate (job) you sign up for. Rates like CTI and Nuke are 6 year contracts, because of the very long (and very expensive) schooling that goes into them. The Navy doesn't want to spend 2 years training a new Nuke and then let them leave after just 2 more years.

Wish I could answer the question about weight vs tape, but I'm not sure how all that works... I was right on the line, but the woman running the scale at MEPS that day was awesome and let me squeak through. I'd enocurage you to try your hardest to lose that 15lbs before you go to MEPS. It's a whole lot of hurry-up-and-wait there, and I know I wouldn't want to have to make multiple trips just because of weight. I don't know how much soda you drink, but I know I dropped about 10lbs just by drinking water instead, and another 10 by cutting out my afternoon snack at work.

[Angie]

There are TONS of parents who are in the USN! They make it work.  They are doing it for their families.  If this is something you really want, you can make it work.

[KristyPedy]

Well, as for soda - I've been soda free for 2 months now. It was hard beating the caffeine headaches but I got passed it! I'm trying to become more physically fit and trying to drop that last 15lbs that need to come off so I can make it.

[Baccus]

 

I'm thinking of joining the Navy also and I have so many of the same feelings that you have did you get any help on here? What I want to know the most about am I fit to go to boot camp and how does things works my question when can my family come to me or when do I get to go back and see them. Any advice is wanted!

[Angie]

Are you married? 

 

Your familiy can come see your PIR, they can visit you during "A"School and you can live together when you get to your first command.  Unless your "A"S chool is long, and you get approval for you to move off base.  There are only a few schools that allow that though...so plan on not lving with them until after "A" School.

[KristyPedy]

Yeah, I had the same question. I'm married, and I have a son. So I should expect not to live with my family until after 'A' School?

[Anti M]

As Angie said, it depends on the school. Think six months or longer for the schools which allow a Live Ashore with family. Nuke, AECF, and a few of the P-cola schools (although I can't recall which ones).

[KristyPedy]

I totally will look into as much as I can. A month or two back, I went and talked to a recruiter and he let me take the "practice test" for the ASVAB; I scored a 53 - he said it was a very good score for just the practice. I just shrugged it off because I wasn't sure what passing was. Haha... I think anything military is challenging so, I'm up for a challenge. Once things start working themselves out around here (family and my weight coming off - 13lbs more to go by the way!!!) - I will be looking more into going back to the recruiter.

[jbsgirl1417]

Kristy,
After reading through this discussion, I figured it would be good to share my story. I joined the Navy when my two oldest daughters (my oldest is now in boot camp herself) were 6 and 3! It was the hardest thing I had to do up til I shipped my daughter off to BC. I cried myself to sleep almost every night I was in BC and all my schools. I was an FC so had quite a few. But.....it got better. I was able to provide for my daughters in a way I was not able to before I joined. I gave them a great example of what it is to be a strong, independent woman. I strengthened our relationship as well. I didn't take for granted the time I got to spend with them. I am not saying that it always turns out this way and you should definitely think long and hard about this decision, pray if that is something you are inclined to do. Talk it over thoroughly with your husband and make sure he is 150% behind you in your decision! Be sure you are doing what is best for you and for your family! I hope that it all works out for you!!!!

Becki