Hey Squirrel - good to see you again ! Did I tell you that I really like your avatar ?

Thanks- Hammy is my new hero.
Been a rough month, spent the entire month workin 12 - 16 hour days without a day off. Some people on our crew have put in a couple 20 hour days. We finally got a 3 day weekend and boy do we need it.

GF- good luck making your mind up. Me personally, I know if I am carrying a gun, that means someone else is carrying a gun to use against me. Being dead goes against my plan of growing old with my family. I have 13 years in the AF and might be walking after this enlistment. The deployments are getting to difficult on family life.
I often think of doing SHP but I think that is more dangerous than being in the military.

Squirrel, AF after 13 years....do your 7 and retire! then it will be easier for anything else you choose!

I am scheduled to go to a unit that deploys 300+ days a year to Iraq and Afghanastan (sp?). My family is having problems with the current deployments I am doing. A retirement check isnt worth a broken family, IMHO.

Look at the long term benefits....what kind of AF unit deploys 300+ days a year....I would do some actual looking into that!

A unit that provides forward deployed radar and communications systems. 1 of only 3 such units stateside. There are several people I am stationed with that just came from there and they are all saying the same thing. They dont have an AEF bucket, they are on there own deployment cycle.

How much longer would you be doing that...Look at how much time you have in.....After all the crap your family has already been through....a few more isn't going to hurt..An understanding wife is very difficult indeed, and I don''t know the full extent of your circumstances....but I would finish it out or get intouch with IG or someone high on the totem pole and get a different unit!

I could prolly get an asignment change based on career field changes I have undergone but I am ready to go to Permant Civilian Status ( A true PCS). The only thing I will miss about the military is the healthcare. This will be my 8th assignment so the chances of me pcs'ing again are very slim. Even if I did base of preference I would be in that unit at least 4 years. I think I am ready to lead a normal life.

Oh, after the military...life is never normal...I miss it dearly...the brotherhood, everyone worked the same schedule....so we would all get together every weekend and BBQ or go to the lake...here in "Normal" life...everyone has different lives and no time to bond...it is kind of depressing...another reason I am looking forward to Policing again....the lifestyle. I talk to my old platoon brothers more than I talk to some of the folks I go to school with. You have nothing in common with anyone anymore, you change.....they all stay the same......

Squirrel - I admire your devotion to your family, and have to agree with your decision. A military lifestyle is not for everyone, especially families with children. It takes a special individual to put his family's best interest ahead of his own. Best of luck to you and your family. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

By the way, thanks to you, Gravelface, and all the other great folks who serve our country ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Jason - I know where you're coming from, believe me ! It takes a LONG time for things to fall in place, but they will. It took me that same long time, but now I am happier than I had been at any other time in my life. Staying in touch with your fellow veterans helps, along with a good understanding wife. Hang in there! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

After 13 years....it would be hard to stop.