Military Spouses

Any advice on a spouse (civilian) looking to get a PhD? There was a post earlier, but that was 10 years ago, figured I'd give it another shot.

Hi guys, currently an ANG STUD in the UPT pipeline slated for the TH-1 track based off of my final MDS, so I'll be headed to rucker in the fall (September). Currently unmarried, but will be traveling with the significant other and dog (husky). For those that have recently gone, currently there, or just have something to add, please chime in! Looking for living recommendations around the area and general lifestyle (pace of training) to get a better idea of the future. Obviously still a couple months out, but any advice is appreciated. If anyone knows of pet friendly apartments or housing rentals within the BAH limit, that would be great too. Thanks!

Hello! Heading over to Europe for a 3 year tour. For the spouses out there, what job opportunities did you find? Keeping it broad for a reason.

kind of an abnormal post, but my question is, do you think people do better in UPT if single? I had a good talk with one of the MSGT's in my unit, and we were discussing what I wanted to do, and we both agreed that dating while trying to pursue a fighter slot should be something to shy away from because of how busy a fighter pilot's life can be. dont get me wrong. with all due respect, I love women and dream to start a family as well, but I do believe that they can distract you from your goals. as most of you know, the energy, money, and time spent on a significant other is enormous. I can't seem to shake the idea in my head of "how much better I could be doing…

Hi all, we are new to this military life and new parents. My husband is just about to graduate from AIT and we are to PCS to JBLM this August. I am 25 weeks pregnant and since he's been away for almost 6 mos, it was just me and my dog who motivated me get out of the house and helped me emotionally and mentally. Upon filling out the housing application form I read that my dog falls under the "restricted breed" she is a chow mix. I have a psychiatrist, but we are rather new about 2 weeks now and I did ask about the ESA letter, and he told me he won't be able to give me just yet. Which I totally understand. We do not consider living off-base as our E4 BAH will not get us a h…

Just wondering if anyone knew if there was a supplemental dental insurance for the TDP/United Concordia. I was stupid to not buy dental insurance through my job, thinking the TDP would be more than enough for my 2 cleanings a year, now I have to wait until October of '09 when annual enrollment comes around and I need several thousand dollars worth of dental stuff done in the mean time. I've already past my $1200 maximum that the TDP will cover annually with 2 cleanings, some minor periodontic work, a root canal, and a crown. It's looking like I'm going to need some periodontic bone grafts and going back into orthodontics so we're looking at something around $5-6k out o…

Last Friday I had the opportunity to go on a Spouse Orientation flight given by my Husbands Squadron. When hubby was AD, I had the opportunity before years ago to go on a flight, but couldn't get the time off of work to do it. Scooter (my hubby) was really encouraging me almost pushing me to go. "It will so cool. . . you'll have a great time . . . You can see what I do". I can honestly say I was going more to please him, than the excitement that was in it for me. I sent the kids to the babysitter and Scooter surprised me by making me a flight lunch, (quite the role reversal). Ths day started early, safety briefings, then we got to see the crew give their brief…

Ok women... I need to know... AND I know that this might sound stupid or shallow, but I have to ask... Just how formal do the women need to dress to the parties where the men have to wear their blues? Even tho I grew up in the Air Force I never saw this aspect of things, and I don't want to look way over/under done to these parties. My first offical experience with this will be when my husband graduates from OTS. PLEASE HELP!!! [ 30. January 2007, 05:41: Message edited by: Toro ]

My hubby of 7 yrs. will be leaving me to go to OTS in 2 weeks and we have never been separated for that long. I am happy for him, but at the same time feel sad that I will be without him and alone with our newborn who is now 6 weeks old. The whole situation is bittersweet. We just moved to this new area and so I don't really know anyone and now my only support is leaving. Anyone have any advice? I have read the threads about UPT and I get the impression things can get pretty lonely for spouses there too. So I guess the family gets put on the back burner just by default? That's okay I suppose, but how does one like me cope? By the way I am using his profile to write this.

It seems like EVERYONE that goes to UPT is going in with the hopes of flying fighters. I realize that these are pretty neat planes, but also that there are a LOT of other neat planes in the AF. So my question is this - are there people that go into UPT wanting to fly something other than fighters? I'm sure, obviously, there are a few, but I have yet to hear of any. It just seems like everyone is competing to fly fighters and no one's first choice is anything else.

Hi Spouses! My husband and I will be selling one of our cars while in UPT training. We aren't sure what to do because it would be nice to have two cars at Columbus and then sell one during our 4 1/2 months at Altus. If we can't sell it at Altus, it would be a big problem because we are going O-CONUS. So here's my question. Does anyone out there have experience trying to sell a car specifically at Columbus or Altus? If so, how long did it take your car to sell? Thanks, KC

It's the holiday season, I'm finding myself in a familiar situation, still not quite knowing what to say. I'm sure you've all been there: Of course friends and family that we don't see often always ask when/if my husband deploys again. Acquaintances that I run into wonder where I live and what I'm doing these days. Inevitably, it comes up that my husband is going to miss another Christmas. Here comes the response: "Oh, that's so awful. I'm so sorry," or "That must be terrible. I feel so bad for you." That is the same response I'd get if I said that my husband is dying of cancer or that we lost our home in a fire. It never crosses their mind that he is doing EXACT…

Hi everyone, I had a question about significant others and them going to med school. Has anyone gone through this? I'm commissioning in about a year, and I really don't know how this is going to work after graduation. Thanks for your help.

My family and I will be hoping to be at UPT in 2008. For those of you who live in the base housing, what utilities/services do you pay? Trying to make the "Do we live on base?" decision. Also, does your housing vary depending on the size of your family? We only have 2 kids, but want to compare to an off base equally adequate living space. -Crazy

quick question, what is the difference in pay during flight training if you are single vs. married. I see that the 0-1 pay is around $2,300 per month but do you get paid more if you are married? Thanks

Are any of the spouses here General Schedule types? I would like information about how one gets hired as a GS-"x" and what kind of jobs are out there. Thanks.

I have one year of a BSN in nursing completed. This will be my 2nd Bachelor's degree, so I probably have about 2-2.5 years left of school, although I would like to get a minor in Spanish, so that might bump it up to 3 years. My husband is going to start at Whiting next week and I have an opportunity to take a class or 2 at a state university in the spring semester. I'm just not sure if I should hold off and try to do all 3 years after he is done with pilot's training or if I should take some classes now. If I do take classes now, I probably won't be able to go back to school until Fall of 2008 because of his training and moving around for it. Does anyone have any…

I'm looking into buying an engagement ring, and have absolutely no idea what I am doing. My main question is how does the financing work? I've heard about 100 different things about how you buy them or how to finance them. Since there are probably quite a few of you who are probably somewhat recently familiar with this process, could you please shed some light on my situation. I want to go into this process with some knowledge so I know what I am doing once I start to buy, and so the store doesn't jerk me around. Do I make down-payments then get the ring, or get the ring then keep paying (like a car), or charge it to a card or what? Or at least a suggestion about …

I will be getting engaged to my girlfriend before I head off to UPT. However, she will not be able to move down with me for the first year because of her schooling, but will most likely move after the second phase of pilot training. We have talked about the sacrifices alot (seeing eachother once a month if i fly her down to TX from CO, no more talking on the phone 5 times a day, etc). We will be battling a long distance relationship for that first year and I was hoping to get some good advice for both her and I on keeping things going smoothly. I realize that I will not be able to go see her but maybe twice a year in CO, so i will have to fly her down to TX to see me …

So, my boyfriend is getting commisioned as a pilot at the end of December and i feel like i should get a present for him but i don't really know what is appropriate. I am kinda new at the whole military girlfriend thing and i don't want to look like a fool around his retired airforce father or him. I want to show him how proud i am of him and all his hard work. any suggestions on the perfect gift?

when i started upt, the wives were very friendly to the 2 of us (female pilots in my upt class). i was invited to dinner when the married folks invited other single pilots over, we all hung out and had fun. when i got to my first base, the unit was small, and though i wasn't invited to the spouses' club meetings, when the wives came to the squadron they were all real nice and friendly too. adn we still went out to dinner in groups and what not. i'd say that the wives in my current squadron are not as nice or friendly. my personal opinion is that the spouse club "leader" should invite female pilots to their group - at least once. why not? i'd love to meet more w…

Hi! My husband is an ROTC cadet who recently received a pilot selection and will be going to UPT next year. I've heard that UPT is a really difficult year for the pilot trainees and that it is also hard on their families. I've looked all over the internet trying to find out what other wives have said about enduring pilot training and I couldn't find anything. Could someone give me some information on what it will be like and what we can do to prepare for it now? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks!

Hi! We've just had assignment night and were assigned KC 10's to McGuire!! If you've done this recently, what can we expect as far as dates...we heard they move you pretty fast, but we still haven't gotten orders until next week. Also, we are expecting our first baby in March! What OBG docs would you recommend? Are they on base or off base?? Any other info would be great as well!! Thanks everyone! :)

Hello All! My boyfriend graduates OTS here in November, and we aren't quite sure where we'll be stationed for UPT (hopefully Vance, or Witchita Falls for ENJPT.) I know everyone says to get married cause AF life is easier that way, but we're just not ready for that. What I want to know is if girlfriends are welcome to the 'officer spouse's club' functions. I love being involved in activites and am nervous to be moving to a new place, so I am very interested in the OSC, but wasn't sure if I would be allowed to partake. If anyone has any insight lemme know!

So we have been at McChord for 3 years now and its time to decide what to do next, or its past due depending on who you ask. I know about the usual C-17 contenders for second assignments: Charleston, Travis, Hickam, McGuire, Dover, Elmendorf & Altus as well as primary training bases but I am more interested in the crazy stuff that most people don't know is out there. What are these more rare jobs and how do I find them? I know most of these are probably unattainable based on the odds but thats why its a dream sheet, right? Example: Some friends of ours just got gliders at the academy. Who knew that existed? I didn't. Don't know if my husband would have even bee…