Work and School While Married in the Navy?

[student_searches]

Hi everyone. My boyfriend is just beginning A-school and I am in college, we are not married but things seem to be heading that way. So a question that has been on my mind is how to work and continue school while you are married to your sailor. I come from an area where most people only earn their high school diploma, and I've been working hard to try to be the first person in my family with a bachelor's degree. I also know money will be tight, so I was wondering if any Navy spouses can tell me how they were able to get work while they and their sailor were moving around so often. Thank you so much to anyone who can tell me anything on the subject :). And may everyone's sailors stay safe!

[AlphasWife16]

We have 2 kids...I go to school fulltime (online classes) and I work as well. We havent had to change PCS yet but when we do I will most likely be working from home. My advice...dont put your life on hold for his career. Doing that may leave you stranded if it didnt work out or something were to happen. Make sure that at the end of the day you are able to take care of yourself.

[student_searches]

Thank you for the advice! :)

[tatortot1107]

Hi :)

My fiancé is beginning A school and I'm still back "home" in college. When I began college, we weren't engaged yet and he had no idea he was going into the Navy... Then my sophomore year he decided to join and he left this past november for BC and proposed before he left. My degree was a 5 year program meaning I would have two full years of school left. Which doesn't seem like a lot but when you hear his orders may be over seas, two years not just apart but an ocean apart seems scary. While like you, I come from a small town that most only graduate HS and thats it, I wanted to be someone who chased her dream and accomplished college. I totally agree that you can't give up your dream and future for his career. That was something I mentally knew I couldn't do because if god forbid something happens and I'm left alone, I have to have some sort of background or degree to fall back on. I ended up compromising and I'm moving back home next year and I am finishing my bachelors back home. So I won't graduate with what I initially wanted, but I will graduate from college, still in the same field that I wanted and still with something that will take me places. And I can always go back and finish out with what I originally began with if I even felt that I needed too. I know my situation is different but the most important idea, is make sure YOU are taken care of first. You have to have a foundation to lean back onto if you ever need it. You're going to be giving up a lot for his career in the future, don't let your education be one of them, especially when it is achievable right now. You can private message me or add me if you want to chat more! 

[student_searches]

Sounds like we're in similar boats! Thank you so much for telling me your situation and advice! I really appreciate it :)

[Tatyana]

My fiancé graduates BC 3-10-17. We plan on getting married when he gets to come home after A school and then having a ceremony in December if possible. I am currently waiting to see if I get accept into the LVN to RN transitional program and if I get in we have agreed that I would stay home to finish my degree and then move once i finished me and our son will then move with him.

[lizzylou191]

I am in online school full time (only 4 classes at a time) and working full time (40-50 hours per week). I receive Pell Grants and school financial aid that pay for almost my full class bill, as well as a book voucher to pay for any books I need. My degree happened to be one that could be completed online, and for me that was a better deal than having my husband moving all over and having all the fun without me :) but you have to weigh the pros and cons for what you are studying, and where he may go that could affect that degree choice or the possibility of part time/full time work. My personal mantra for the navy wife life that was thrust upon me (brutally, might I add lol), was that I wasn't putting my life on hold. Sure, I made the sacrifice to move away from family, but beyond that, I stayed in school and kept contributing an income, which helps for fun trips and for deployment distraction! I am a nanny, so I can pretty much work anywhere! And getting my degree now means when my husband gets out, he will be able to go to school and focus, because (fingers crossed) I will have set us up to have my career going so he can take his time!

[Navywifeb]

I am in the same boat. It sucks on my end because I don't know much about where he is going after basic.

[Amberrose]

Finding a job isn't really difficult! Once he gets permanently stationed somewhere he will be there for a couple of years so you should be able to find a stable job. There are all kinds of jobs for spouses on base you just need to contact fleet and family services! Going to school is hard! Transferring to a school that accepts all of your credits, financial aid, etc. is difficult but possible. I've been doing classes online through Central Texas College which is set up specifically for military and family. Also there are tons of scholarships for military spouses. Before you get married or decide to move in with him I would wait for him to get settled after A School! My husband was sent straight to a ship in the Persian gulf to finish their 8 month deployment after A school. So it would have been silly for me to move in with him right away.